What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President, Education and Interpretation position at Cincinnati Museum Center & National Underground...?
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Cincinnati, Ohio
Vice President, Education, and Interpretation
Department: Education and Interpretation
Supervisor: President & COO
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary: $100,000 annually
Rooted in the stories of the Underground Railroad, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (“FREEDOM CENTER”) illuminates the true meaning of inclusive freedom by presenting permanent and special exhibits that inspire, public programming that provokes dialogue and action, and educational resources that equip modern abolitionists.
FREEDOM CENTER Freedom Center opened in August 2004 on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Since then, millions of people have visited our exhibits and public programs, inspiring everyone to take courageous steps for freedom. Millions of people have utilized our educational resources online at freedomcenter.org, working to connect the lessons of the Underground Railroad to inform and inspire today’s global and local fight for freedom.
Job Overview
The Vice President, Education and Interpretation (“VP”) is a key leadership position critical to the Freedom Center's FREEDOM CENTER growth and success.
This position reports to the President and COO and leads the institution’s educational programming, interpretation and collections strategy and is responsible for the curation of permanent exhibits
This VP will work closely with the President & COO and senior leadership team to implement FREEDOM CENTER's strategic plan with an emphasis on building collaboration and efficiency (internally and externally), cultivating sustainable funding opportunities, and improving and sharing FREEDOM CENTER's knowledge core through dynamic and innovative anchor initiatives, informative and engaging exhibitions, and impactful educational outreach programs.
The successful candidate must be a self-starter with a proven ability to lead a large department effectively, develop a team of high-performing professionals, work closely with others to manage budgets and raise funds, and create and implement long-range plans. This VP will be an exceptional collaborator and communicator who is mission-driven, leads by example, and thrives in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
A particular focus for this VP for the next few years will be the establishment of a new permanent exhibit for social justice, the modernization of existing permanent exhibits, overseeing the expansion and development of our collections and family research areas and revamping our educational outreach programs.
Responsibilities
- Department Management - Lead global vision and implementation for the FREEDOM CENTER’s interpretive plan, all educational initiatives, public programs, and exhibitions
- Oversee the development and implementation of the FREEDOM CENTER's vision to transform its educational initiatives, which includes renewing existing academic relationships, strengthening collaborations with local and regional K-12 schools, area colleges and universities, extending the program's geographic reach, and enhancing community outreach.
- Leads curriculum development for students and visitors of all ages to connect the historical Underground Railroad movement to current day movements/issues.
- Provide creative thought leadership in developing and implementing a diverse mix of mission-centric programming and exhibits to meet education and audience engagement goals.
- Collaborate with other departments to strategically integrate the education and interpretation requirements operationally.
- Foster relationships with the national scholarly community for fresh and relevant content and methodologies to engage Museum visitors
- Directs and assists with the planning, development coordination and delivery of educational programs and exhibits on the Underground Railroad movement on a global, national and local basis
- Be an active member of the FREEDOM CENTER's remake leadership team as the Project Leader. Participate in the institution's remake of permanent exhibitions (now in process) to create compelling, engaging, and updated experiences that combine world-class objects with interactivity, media, and immersive environments.
- Carry out all related organizational policies and procedures to ensure compliance with professional museum standards.
- Oversee the safe acquisition, display, processing, digitizing, and storage of the FREEDOM CENTER's 1,600 artifacts and images, as well as a federally funded expansion of the FREEDOM CENTER’s collections storage space and operations.
- Integrate the FREEDOM CENTER's collections and curation into exhibitions, programs, partnerships, and other opportunities in a way to enhance relevance and meaning with visitors.
- Collaborates on development and reporting for grant funded projects as needed
- Promote and implement practices that comply with American Alliance of Museums, (“AAM”) and Smithsonian Affiliate standards.
- Organizational Development Leadership – Build organizational excellence.
- Manages department staff, which includes hiring, setting work/performance objectives, evaluating performance, coaching and counseling as necessary.
- Recommend a yearly budget proposal for the Education and Interpretation Department and responsibly follow expenditure process for approvals.
- As needed, assist in fundraising, board engagement, financial monitoring, and other senior leadership duties.
- Provide thoughtful leadership, stakeholder engagement, and oversight for programming, education and exhibit initiatives related to grants, comprehensive and annual campaigns, and key donor relationships.
- Create high-value local, regional, and national collaborations with school, industry, and community partners.
- Inspire, lead, and develop a team of staff, volunteers, and community partners with diverse backgrounds and expertise. Build and reinforce a positive, productive, healthy, and fun work culture at all levels, prioritizing teamwork, innovation, and collaboration.
- Promote practices that encourage and facilitate open communications, cooperation, effective employee engagement, and teamwork among the staff, volunteers, and external cohorts.
- Embody and model the 'FREEDOM CENTERs core values: Safety, Welcome, Credible, Effective, and Engaging.
Qualifications
- Education or Equivalent Work Experience
- Degree or equivalent work experience in a related subject
- At least ten years of experience working in a museum, library, historic property, or comparable public-facing organization.
- Proven ability to lead, with a record of increasing responsibility; candidates' current responsibilities should be at department director level or above.
- Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Entrepreneurial, creative attitude that identifies and seizes relevant opportunities.
- Strategic decision-making, forward-looking curiosity, and appetite for learning; ability to make meaningful connections between audience, experience, content, collections, research and the Freedom Center’s financial performance.
- Flexibility to creatively adapt to, embrace and lead in an environment of rapid change.
- Dedication to both internal and external communication and collaboration
- Excellence in building positive and productive relationships internally and externally.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to adapt messages for a variety of audiences, from guests to partners, senior leadership, researchers, elected officials, donors, board members, and media.
- Sound operational and business acumen with the ability to create and adapt successful structures, models, and systems. Practical leadership experience is a plus.
Working Conditions
- Typical office setting at FREEDOM CENTER, with time spent at offsite meetings, museum floor, public programming, exhibit installation and support.
- Travel, as needed; a valid, clean driver's license is required.
- Regular, frequent computer and phone use.
- 40 hour work week with evenings and weekends.
- Supervise 5-6 staff members, plus various interns and volunteers.
National Underground Railroad Freedom is an EOE employer and does not discriminate against any person or group based on age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or genetic information. FREEDOM CENTER is building a culturally diverse staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and encourages applications from minorities and women.
Apply at freedomcenter.org or send resume to HR@cincymuseum.org
Salary : $100,000
