Associate Director of Experience & Education

Position Title:                                  Associate Director of Experience & Education

Reporting Division:                        Exhibitions & Programs

Reporting Department:                Experience & Education

Reporting Supervisor:                   VP, Exhibitions & Programs

Location:                                           Mary Lincoln Cottage

FLSA Status:                                     Exempt, Full Time

Organizational Function:             Senior Manager

PURPOSE:

Manage the programs and processes of the Experience & Education department through development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programming aligned with the Minnetrista Philosophy of Visitor Experience. Supervise and coach a team to collaborate to accomplish institutional goals and outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, history, art, natural history/environmental education, and/or related field or related experience. Have 5 to 8 years’ informal education or teaching background, including developing and evaluating audience-specific educational experiences; museum experience and/or graduate degree in museum studies or education preferred.
• Comfort in teaching large and small groups of different ages; support and practice imaginative, engaging, and learner-centered education.
• Demonstrate management experience, whether through direct supervision or peer leadership.
• Possess strong initiative, communication, multitasking, organizational, and project management skills; ability to work individually and collaboratively.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

To be successful in this position, an individual must be aligned with Minnetrista’s cultural values and visitor-centric focus.  The incumbent ensures effective working relationships by cultivating and maintaining professional credibility with all staff, administration, and volunteers.  The individual demonstrates maturity, sound judgment, positive attitude, and works collaboratively with peers and colleagues throughout the organization and community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Minnetrista’s culture is team-oriented and collaborative. To that end, all position responsibilities include the following three performance expectations & priorities:

• Achieve the organization’s purpose by demonstrating Minnetrista’s vision, values, mission, goals, and strategies daily.
• Help others achieve the organization’s purpose through collaboration and teamwork.
• Carry out job function through completing the following essential duties directly or through subordinate personnel.

JOB DUTIES:

• Direct, manage and evaluate the Experience and Education Department.
• Oversee the robust development, delivery, and continual assessment of programming for adults, families, and schools as part of drop-in and scheduled experiences for a wide variety of visitor backgrounds, including age and motivation.
• Lead a cross-departmental team to generate new ideas for programming initiatives for target audiences and experience outcomes that address community interests and needs, and organizational mission.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets.
• Cultivate and supervise volunteers and interns to support the Experience and Education department in delivering the mission of the organization.
• Build a reflective practitioner culture of continued professional and organizational growth informed by data, best practices, applicable professional standards, e.g. for schools and museums, while reflecting and responding to community needs.
• Establish and maintain collaborations with external organizations and individuals to bring engaging visitor-centered experiences to the community.
• Collaborate with division staff, including Exhibitions and Collections, to tell great stories that further the mission of the organization through complementary and relevant programming.
• Collaborate with the Communications department to develop and assess target audience goals and strategies.
• Partner with the Exhibitions department to develop and assess target audience goals and strategies.
• Provide information to the Development department in raising support through grants, sponsorships and donations; assist in fulfilling sponsorship agreements.
• Perform all other duties required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Primarily a sedentary office environment with desk, computer, phone, and files. Must be able to reach overhead and handle items approximately 20 lbs. Work schedule flexibility is critical, including occasional evenings and weekends; will need to be able to move about the entire Minnetrista’s 40-acre campus.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Minnetrista values diversity and inclusivity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Revised 7/10/2020; 4/2023; 4/2024