JOB SUMMARY  

The Museum Programs Director is responsible for designing and leading program staff in implementing age-appropriate, values-driven purposeful play programming for the Cayton Children’s Museum, both in the museum space and out in the community. Reporting to the Chief Program Officerthe Museum Programs Director will ensure that all programming is aligned with child development and educational standards in order to enhance the depth and richness of the museum experience for visitors. 

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Implement a framework and annual program plan for in-museum, community and virtual programming, using an understanding ofearly childhood education and development; best practices in children’s museum programming; meaningful equity and access in play; and creativity and play as a tool for learning, building empathy, increasing connection, and celebrating diversity and shared community. 

  • Design consistent, high-quality curriculum content for creative camps and classes for children and families, and train and supervise staff carrying out these programs. 

  • Provide hands-on leadership, mentoring and problem-solving around program implementation and engagement with museum visitors. 

  • Supervise Museum Program Managers and oversee hiring, training and supervision of museum Play Guides.  

  • Ensure that justice, equity, access and inclusion are central to all program planning and decisions. 

  • Participate in the development and tracking of clear and measurable program outcome objectives and evaluation systems, and work with the Development team to provide needed outcomes and impact reporting to funders. 

  • Work with the Chief Program Officer to plan and oversee museum programming budget, including analyzing financial viability of and earned and philanthropic revenue opportunities in program initiatives. 

  • Provide training content and expertise to support staff-wide professional development on substantive issues, especially as related to early childhood education, child development, and effective, purposeful programming for children and families. 

  • Other duties as needed. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS  

  • Bachelor’s degree, plus graduate degree and/or additional education or training in early childhood education, child development, arts education or related field, required 

  • 5+ years’ experience in early childhood education, child development, arts education or related field, with experience in program/curriculum design. 

  • Deep knowledge of best practices in children’s museums, early childhood education, and/or building welcoming, inclusive spaces for children and families. 

  • Strong project management skills and the ability to simultaneously balance long-range, ambitious planning, with short-term objectives and an understanding of practical realities and available resources. 

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other standard office software systems. 

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

  • Creative and strategic problem-solving abilities, and grace under pressure. 

  • Enthusiasm, positivity and ability to evoke the same from others. 

  • Ability and willingness to jump in and do what it takes to get the job done, and to motivate a team to do the same. 

  • Commitment to the mission, vision and values of ShareWell/Cayton Children’s Museum. 

  • Ability to work some weekends in support of museum events and activities, especially as the museum is first reopening post-COVID-19 closure 

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

The person in this position must be able to: 

  • Move about inside the office and Museum space to access file cabinets, office machinery, storage shelves, exhibits, etc. 

  • Communicate via telephone, video conference, email and in-person. 

  • Move about for sustained periods of time while overseeing and participating in program activities. 

 

COMPENSATION & SCHEDULE 

Salary range is $65,000-$75,000, commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; retirement plan; health and childcare flexible spending accounts; vacation and sick days; plus more. The Museum Programs Directors is a full-time, exempt position. Due to COVID-19, candidate may initially need to work remotely and have access to reliable high-speed Internet for daily video conferencing until in-office work resumes.  

 

ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION  

At the Cayton Children’s Museum and our parent company, ShareWell, we activate the power of purposeful play to enrich the lives of children and their families, build stronger, more connected communities, and create a better world. We envision a world where all children, and the adults they grow up to be, experience the transformational and lifelong benefits of abundant, creative, purposeful play. 

 

ShareWell is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, political affiliation, marital or family status, age, military service, or other non-merit factor. 

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