Senior Director of Learning and Engagement

Senior Director of Learning and Engagement, Full-time

Summary

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH), founded in 1920, is located in the heart of University Circle, five miles east of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Considered one of the finest institutions of its kind in North America, the Museum offers an incredible visitor experience, attracting roughly 325,000 visitors a year. There are more than 140 public education programs and over 70,000 students served annually. The Museum employs about 160 people.

Building on its strong foundation of excellence in education and research, the Museum is poised to transform itself. The Museum will invite and engage a broader audience in the exploration of science and the natural world by revolutionizing the way it presents natural history. The Museum has launched a capital campaign to support a dramatic renovation and expansion of its facilities and exhibits. This ambitious plan will position the Museum to play a leading role in regional and national efforts to improve science education and increase scientific literacy.

The Museum is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking, creative, organized and energetic professional.

Description

The Senior Director of Learning and Engagement is responsible for providing leadership and oversight for all public and academic engagement and outreach. The Senior Director is a brand ambassador for the Museum representing our unique offerings to all guests and prospective clients. The position requires an outgoing and mission-driven professional central to achieving our inclusive and strategic objectives through our various programming in the Museum. A critical leader, the Senior Director will report directly to the Sr VP and Chief Strategy Officer and will be charged with working across departments to help the Museum achieve alignment in both practice and behaviors in building and cultivating our desired museum community. The Sr. Director will ensure programs are on Mission, generate revenue, make effective use of Museum resources, strengthen the Museum’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, and help reach new and existing audiences. This role requires that the Sr. Director manages multiple departments, anticipate and solve problems with a dedication to a visitor-centric framework that will ensure an extraordinary, educational, and enriching experience for all.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  (Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation)

• Develop, monitor, and execute all public-facing programs and events that satisfy a range of audiences and resources and that fulfill the Museum’s mission and revenue goals.
• Prepare and oversee the department’s budget, providing evaluation on program revenue and expenses.
• Identify new innovative and inclusive initiatives that can draw new and repeat visitors to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
• Build public engagement through creative programming - including lectures and dialogues, workshops, convenings, symposia, and experimental programs - that connects the Museum's galleries to the STEM education at large and offers people the opportunity to learn in participatory and experiential ways.
• Offer support for programming logistics to team members and other departments, including leadership in the development of inter-team communication, collaboration, and cohesiveness, as well as ensure team members adhere to program timelines, budgets, and proper resource allocation.
• Stay abreast of innovative and best practices for engagement in the non-profit sector and provide recommendations to leadership on future planning.
• Research demographics and cultural trends within arts, culture, and communities and apply findings to current programming and new initiatives.
• Cultivate existing collaborations and forge new programmatic partnerships with cultural organizations, academic institutions, and community groups.
• Conduct evaluations on programming events through both internal and external reporting and ensure that all programming and events further the Museum’s goals of expanding, diversifying, and deepening audience engagement.
• Collaborate with appropriate departments to create content for the museum website. Work with the Marketing department for promotion of various programs.
• Support the Development department’s initiatives by assisting in cultivating relationships with appropriate organizations in both corporate and foundation sectors, ensuring that programs and initiatives meet funder expectations and goals.
• Assist Development in researching, applying for, and any additional requested support with funding opportunities.
  
  

Qualifications

• Required Education: Bachelors’ Degree Events Management or related fields- Master’s Degree in Management or Non Profit Management preferred.
• Minimum 6-8 years of professional experience producing public events or museum programs.
• Demonstrated creativity in developing programs that engage a broad public.
• Confident public speaker, skilled writer, and proven relationship builder.
• Excellent management and organizational skills, including demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously from inception to completion.
• Minimum of 3 years of sales, programming, sales and/or leadership experience.
• Proven effective abilities in organization, supervision, administration, and budget management.
• Must be able to successfully work both collaboratively and independently.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills to work effectively with diverse constituencies.
• Previous success in engaging a wide range of stakeholders including advisory groups, foundations, corporate sponsors, and other cultural institutions.
• Proven ability to achieve expected results while working effectively in collaboration with other departments.
• Proven ability to consistently demonstrate sound judgment, confidentiality, and decision-making skills.
  
  

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ADA EMPLOYER, and a SUBSTANCE-FREE WORKPLACE