The Susan Flint Cooper, Director of the Cranbrook Institute of Science

The Susan Flint Cooper, Director of Cranbrook Institute of Science

Cranbrook Institute of Science is Michigan’s premier science and natural history museum situated on the campus of Cranbrook Educational Community. The Institute fosters in its audiences a passion for understanding the world around them and a lifelong love of learning. Through its broadly-based educational programs and partnerships, its permanent and changing exhibits, and its collections and research, the Institute helps develop a scientifically literate public able to succeed in today’s knowledge-based society. Extraordinary, transformational experiences in STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math) are its primary focus.

The Institute is home to outstanding mineral and earth science collections, a research quality observatory, and the top botany, anthropology, and related life-sciences collections in the Midwest. Its programming enhances scientific curiosity in learners of all ages. Outreach, which includes watershed education and the cross-curricular study of art and science, supplements PK-12 education particularly in underserved schools in regional cities and rural areas and at Cranbrook Schools. Programs emphasize partnership whether with educators, families, and school-aged learners, with external funders or with colleagues and peer scientific institutions. Through its focus on STEM programming, the Institute helps all learners develop skills that are essential to succeeding in the 21^st century. The Institute’s permanent collection contains objects distributed across nine areas of study: anthropology/archaeology; botany; entomology; herpetology; malacology; mammalogy; ornithology; paleontology; and mineralogy. The collections are particularly strong in objects that relate to Michigan, the Great Lakes, and the Midwest.

Each year the Institute of Science provides experiences to over 134,000 visitors, of which half are PK-12 students, and supports numerous ongoing, exemplary PK-12 STEM initiatives. The Institute staff steward extraordinarily robust relationships with a wide variety of regional and local grant-funders, including Ally Financial, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Consumers Energy Foundation, the DTE Foundation, DeRoy Testamentary Foundation, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, Huntington Bank, Ideal Group, the Kresge Foundation, Masco, Michigan Arts & Culture Council, PNC Bank, Pure Oakland Water, the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, and Waste Management. Combined, these initiatives impact thousands of students, nearly all attending public schools, throughout lower Michigan.

As part of its ongoing commitment to enrich underserved and economically challenged communities, the Institute of Science builds partnerships with underserved, low-income school districts throughout the region (including the Detroit Community District Public Schools, Flint Public Schools, Hamtramck Public Schools, Hazel Park Public Schools, and the Pontiac School District) and provides outreach STEM education to PK-12 students, and free or low-cost experiences at the Institute, with its programs and collections. The Institute offers a variety of programs specifically tailored to meet the needs of urban students, their families and teachers, including outreach programming in PK-12 schools, community centers, and other venues, and regional Family Days at the Institute with free admission.

Cranbrook Institute of Science:

• Institute of Science annual attendance                                                    134,000
• Number of objects in the Institute’s Collection                                       148,872
• Number of schools served through outreach programs                       112
• Number of different educational programs offered by the Institute  49

The Institute of Science is open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. The Institute features a Reflection Café and Science Shop onsite.

The Susan Flint Cooper Director of Cranbrook Institute of Science is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and administration of the Institute. This role involves overseeing educational programs, research initiatives, world-class exhibitions and programming, and community outreach efforts. The Director works closely with staff, volunteers, and the community to promote scientific literacy and foster a passion for science. As a member of Cranbrook Educational Community’s senior leadership, the Director is integral in building and strengthening the unique, place-based, interdisciplinary educational experience that Cranbrook Educational Community provides. The Director reports to the Community’s President and works closely with colleagues at Cranbrook’s Academy of Art, Art Museum, Schools, Horizons Upward-Bound, and Center for Collections and Research. 

The Director’s Key Responsibilities include:

• Leadership and Strategy: Develop and implement a strategic vision for the Institute, aligning with the mission and goals of the Cranbrook Educational Community.
• Program Development: Oversee the creation and execution of innovative educational programs, exhibitions, and public events that engage diverse audiences.
• Research and Scholarship: Support and promote scientific research initiatives, ensuring the Institute remains at the forefront of scientific discovery and education.
• Fundraising and Development: Lead fundraising efforts, including grant prospecting, donor relations, and partnership development to secure financial support for the Institute’s programs and initiatives.
• Community Engagement: Foster strong relationships with on-campus, local, national, and international communities, enhancing the Institute’s visibility and impact.
• Operational Management: Ensure effective management of the Institute’s resources, including budgeting, staffing, and facilities maintenance.
• Advocacy and Representation: Serve as the primary spokesperson for the Institute, representing its interests to the public, media, and other stakeholders.

The Opportunity:

Cranbrook seeks a visionary leader who:

• With charisma and professional dexterity, will nurture talented colleagues and build highly collaborative and effective teams, leveraging the passion and multi-disciplinary expertise of direct reports, advisory board members, and colleagues throughout the Institute, Cranbrook Educational Community, and wider community.
• Will set the vision and galvanize others around strategy, driving the execution of innovative and revenue-generating programs that showcase the Institute’s numerous assets and collections.
• Will harness the unique assets of Cranbrook’s other program areas including Cranbrook Art Museum, Center for Research and Collections, Academy of Art and Schools expanding the Institute’s audiences in exciting and fresh ways.
• Will professionally and prudently manage financial resources and the Institute’s expansive physical plant, and effectively steward and deepen donor relationships achieving high-impact benefit for the Institute’s and Cranbrook’s many, diverse audiences.
• Has deep academic passion and credibility in the sciences, including expertise in natural science, natural history, life sciences, anthropology, and/or climate science; Cranbrook welcomes candidates with expertise in a wide variety of scientific backgrounds or fields.

Director’s Qualifications:  

• Advanced degree, doctorate preferred, in a scientific discipline, museum studies, education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a leadership role within a scientific, educational, or cultural institution.
• Proven record of developing and designing contemporary exhibits and programming.
• Proven record of successful fundraising and development efforts.
• Strong strategic planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Passion for science education and public engagement.

Cranbrook welcomes applicants for the Institute Director’s position and anticipates the successful candidate to commence their tenure July 1, 2025. Cranbrook offers competitive compensation and benefits that include medical, dental, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, and retirement programs with employer contribution. We also offer generous paid time off, 11 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays, employee discounts, and a unique environment in an educational setting that values collaboration.

Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae or résumé and a cover letter detailing interest in the position and relevant experience. 

For additional information on the mission and values of Cranbrook Educational Community: https://www.cranbrook.edu/about/mission

For additional information about all the programs of Cranbrook Educational Community: https://www.cranbrook.edu/