POSITION SUMMARY
The Bay Area Discovery Museum seeks a Head of Museum Experience to join and provide joyful leadership on our Learning & Museum Experience team, helping bring playful learning to life for our museum community! This dynamic and strategic role leads the team that researches, develops, implements, and evaluates playful, STEAM-rich (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) learning experiences, environments and programs for children ages 6 months to 8 years old and their caregivers.

This is a great time to join the museum as we embark on execution of our new strategic plan Lead with Joy and head into the next phase of our multi-year diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) work at staff and Board levels. We are looking for someone who shares our vision for a world where every child grows and thrives through joyful play and understands what it takes to inspire a passion of discovery in every young child.

Ideal candidates will be able to demonstrate their ability to lead with joy via examples of successful management and leadership experience and enthusiasm for and professional development within a museum setting.

The pay range for this role is $86,000-$96,000 per year, based on relevant experience. This is a hybrid role; this position will require you to work onsite a minimum of three days per week, with the ability to work remotely on the days you are not in the office. This is a full-time position, working a Sunday – Thursday schedule, with potential flexibility open to discussion. The role requires weekend shifts 1-2 times per month. Additional availability will be required for events and other related work requirements.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leads the research, development, and team planning for innovative and imaginative onsite playful learning experiences including outdoor spaces, exhibits, festivals, and large-scale public events, classes, and camps. Ensures programming is reflective of the museum’s values, commitments, priorities, and brand, and helps achieve the museum’s audience outcomes and financial targets. Participates in creating the vision and priorities for the onsite experience with the Director of Playful Learning, CEO, and other key stakeholders. Works with Head of Research and Evaluation to articulate, measure and report on program success and impact.
2. Supervises designated staff, including interviewing, onboarding, scheduling and time management, coaching, and performance assessment. Sets direct reports up for success through clear setting of expectations, developmental and growth opportunities, and clear, consistent, and timely performance management.
3. Develops, manages, and socializes inclusive and efficient processes for creating, vetting and communicating annual and multi-year program plans that achieve the museum’s community and business goals.
4. Oversees multi-year and annual budget development for their team and program streams, aligns to institutional goals and strategic planning. Manages expenses and revenues to ensure fiscal health. Develops, evaluates, and presents business plans for new program initiatives. Trains and empowers supporting staff to monitor budgets and make strategic spending decisions.
5. In partnership with Learning and Museum Experience leadership, develops strategy to engage and steward community partners in the research, development and implementation of programming that meets community needs and interests.
6. Leads and participates in cross-functional working groups, teams, and projects; works collaboratively with colleagues across the institution and outside partners to ensure programs meet institutional and audience outcomes and needs.
7. Collaborates with the Development team, and other institutional stakeholders, to develop and execute donor and fundraising strategies including researching writing fundraising proposals and reports, and stewarding donor relationships.
8. Partners with Marketing team to develop strategy and materials that promote museum programs and initiatives, engage diverse audiences and achieve institutional goals
9. Stays abreast of museum and early years learning theory and practice, and informal learning experience development for families; prepares and participates in presentations at community and professional gatherings.
10. Serves as a Duty Officer at the museum, addressing minor first aid, emergencies, and customer service-related concerns.

Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 7-10 years of professional experience developing and facilitating innovative exhibits and programs for children and families is required. College degree in childhood education, museum studies, science, art, or relevant field or equivalent professional experience.
• Professional and personal commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion; thoughtful and open about the role of a workplace and a cultural institution in creating a sense of welcome and belonging for staff and visitors.
• Demonstrated experience and skill managing complex cross-functional teams and programs. Proven track record of successful staff management and leadership including training and team development.
• Understanding of early childhood development and pedagogy, the principles and contemporary practices in program and exhibit development for young children and families.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully developing and managing complex budgets.
• Proficiency with office technology including the full Microsoft Suite; experience with program booking applications; ability to learn new platforms quickly.
• Customer service experience. Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Proactive, self-starter, with a can-do attitude. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment that requires creative problem-solving skills, flexibility, and internal and external collaboration.
• Bilingual in Spanish or Cantonese a plus.
• Ability to perform physical activities that may include bending, kneeling, walking, and picking up items of up to 25 lbs., or appropriate accommodation for those activities as prescribed. Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying types of weather.
• If not already, ability to be certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED for adults, infants, and children.
• Abides by and enforces the museum’s health and safety protocols, including providing proof of up to date COVID vaccination.

TO APPLY
The Bay Area Discovery Museum is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity.We encourage those from all backgrounds to apply to allow us to build the most inclusive and creative team possible.

ABOUT US
At the Bay Area Discovery Museum, we believe that providing children with the high-quality early learning experiences they need to be successful is the best investment we can make as a society.

Whether at the Museum, online, or in the community, we provide experiences that spark children’s natural curiosity for the world around them, while building their creative problem-solving skills and STEM content knowledge. Both on-site and off-site, we facilitate research-backed learning experiences that are fun and engaging for children and families. At our one-of-a-kind location at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, this includes hands-on exhibits, rich STEM and art programming, an on-site preschool, and camps and classes. Off-site, our museum educators bring hands-on STEM programming to students and families at schools and libraries in all nine Bay Area counties.

We believe that these research-backed on-site and off-site experiences should be made available to all children and families and offer a variety of access initiatives toward this goal. We are currently working our way back up to our pre-pandemic numbers:

• 350,000 visitors each year, including nearly 100,000 with free or reduced admission
• 10,000 member families
• 26,000 children through our school and community programs
• 587 schools and 215 libraries through all nine Bay Area counties

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is committed to being welcoming and inclusive. We are continuously working toward the goal of reflecting the diversity of the Bay Area both within our organization and with those we serve.

WHAT WE OFFER
The Bay Area Discovery Museum offers a high-energy, results-oriented, creative, and fun environment. Employees enjoy reciprocal admission benefits at other museums, regular all-staff celebrations, professional development training, and more. All staff members are valued for their contributions toward creating a high-quality experience for visitors, and their work allows us to achieve our mission.

The museum provides 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance to all eligible employees, as well as generous paid time off.

In addition, we offer the opportunity for each employee to make a unique impact on more than 350,000 museum visitors each year on-site, online, and many more in the community through our research-backed school and community programs.

NOTE TO CANDIDATE
Due to the sensitivity and requirements of our positions, you should expect to undergo and be cleared of an employment background/criminal check if extended an offer for employment. You may also be asked to provide proof of educational degree(s), licenses, credentials, or vaccinations pertinent to the position.

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