About Learning and Community Engagement:

The Learning and Community Engagement (LCE) division is instrumental in making the MFA a center of cultural activity, understanding, and connections. We have a deep respect for our audiences and intend for that to be reflected in the ways we welcome, inspire and engage, fuel curiosity and support creativity. Across the departments of LCE (Learning, Public Programs and Inclusion) we facilitate visitors’ connections and dialogue-with works of art and with one another-across communities, time, and place. Through programs, events, interpretive resources, and community partnerships we create experiences designed to foster informed dialogue, to illustrate varied perspectives, and honor the voices of our visitors, artists, staff, and volunteers-both long-standing and new-and to promote diversity within our ideas, identities, and experiences. LCE strives to serve as a model for the museum field in the presentation and interpretation of art through civic engagement with public, community, and learning opportunities.

Reporting to the Chief of Learning and Community Engagement, the Senior Director of Museum Learning will serve as a passionate and articulate spokesperson for the value of educational programming at the Museum, working with colleagues to define and implement a programmatic vision and agenda aimed at reaching and developing new audiences with inclusion at the forefront. The Senior Director will frame the strategic discussion around the development of the Museum’s educational and outreach agenda, with input and support from senior management, staff, and constituents. This leader will build a vibrant culture within the Learning department, placing particular emphasis on contributing to a museum culture that welcomes new students, educators and families into our programs- identifying ways for the MFA to stretch its reach beyond the museum walls.

Essential Functions:

• Design a strategy of programming that will engage the most diverse representation of families both virtually and inside of the museum galleries.
• Provide direct supervision to managers for teacher professional development, K-12 school and college programs, teen programs, gallery teaching and collections training, distance learning, and digital programming for the Museum Learning team.
• Work with colleagues in other LCE departments (Community and Studio Learning, Interpretation, Public Programs and Inclusion) to facilitate collaboration among educators in developing programming that will engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds with collections and exhibitions throughout the Museum.
• Actively participate in the national and international museum learning field, and integrate results into the department.
• Recruit diverse staff so that the MFA audience sees themselves reflected in the learning programs.
• Work in partnership with the Chief of Learning and Community Engagement and MFA Development office to cultivate and secure significant financial support for Learning initiatives through individual, corporate and government funding.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with volunteers interested in the Learning Department, including trustees, advisors, and members of the Learning and Community Engagement Trustee Committee.
• Identify professional development needs and leadership opportunities for LCE learning staff to further establish our presence in the museum education field and the Boston community.
• Work with the MFA Financial Department on developing and managing Learning’s operating budget so that it is accurate and clear. Work with Learning section heads on budget variances and accountability.
• Work with MFA Communications to better understand visitors and non-visitors from a marketing research perspective as well as establish and implement effective promotional strategies for department programs.
• Establish and maintain policies and procedures for integrating outcome-based evaluation and learning research into all department initiatives.

Vision and Innovation:

Lead ongoing distinctive and creative programmatic development that is consistent with the Museum’s mission and values. Spark visitors’ curiosity and create meaningful personal experiences for visitors with the Museum’s collections. Drive innovation and experimentation in developing and enhancing programs that actively encourage new and diverse audiences to explore and engage with art. Maximize opportunities to creating learning experiences that will actively engage broad audiences both in the life of the Museum and with each other, as a community rooted in like-minded enthusiasm for art.

Engagement:

Expand the Museum’s engagement with the greater New England community. Deepen the partnerships with public school systems across the state.

Help educators understand the value the Museum can bring to the core curriculum and inspiring greater future involvement for both teachers and students in the life of the Museum and its collections. Forge new institutional partnerships, especially those with other educational and cultural institutions. Maintain and invigorate existing partnerships to reach new audiences both directly, through programming efforts, and indirectly, through incorporation of new ideas and learning into relevant curricula.

Collaboration:

Lead by example and encourage even greater levels of collaboration among Museum staff, especially with regard to partnerships between learning staff and curators. Develop programs that anchor and enhance educational and outreach efforts. Enhance the quality of existing programs that have a great potential to increase visitors’ ability to build meaningful connections with art.

Leadership and Team Building:

Attract, develop, and retain a high performing team, maintaining a service-and team-oriented departmental culture. Oversee all learning programs to prioritize resources. Ensure exceptional service and programs to the Museum and program participants. Drive the highest levels of program participant engagement and satisfaction possible.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Arts Education or related field preferred
• Experience managing through IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and access) lens preferred
• Studio Art training and expertise desirable
• 8-10 years of professional experience in a leadership role directing education initiatives and strategies in a museum or similar setting
• Strong knowledge of Art History, K-12 Education, family engagement and building community partnerships needed
• Strong experience in a leadership role directing education initiatives and strategies in a museum or similar setting
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse racial, religious, cultural; linguistic, LGBTQ and socio-economic etc. communities required
• Experience with liaising with school and community leaders
• Knowledge of current and emerging educational trends required
• Evidenced strength in team building, cross-sector collaboration
• Experience facilitating large group meetings and topics that are catalytic in nature
• Experience in start-up and/or entrepreneurial settings, comfort with design-thinking as a creative problem-solving process
• Exceptional project management abilities, including oversight of budgets and staff
• Superior communications skills, both written and oral, including ability to deliver compelling presentations
• Demonstrated track record of managing, mentoring and motivating staff
• Ability to effectively manage relationships inside and outside of the Museum
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office suite

The Museum reserves the right to change job descriptions. While this job description is intended to include essential duties, it is conceivable that job duties may change before the job description is officially revised.

Salary Range:

Full-Time Salary, 35 hrs per week

$140,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience

The MFA is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve is diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, the MFA does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment or promotion on the basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap or disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Tagged as: Department Head