Manager of Public Programs - Museums Preservation, & Historic Resources

Who We Are
Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

Draws from curatorial, conservation, architectural preservation and research, archaeology, and other resources to develop engaging interpretative public programs that illuminate: 1) the investigative processes used to document, understand, preserve, and furnish historic sites and; 2) the complex and diverse history of Williamsburg at sites that are undergoing preservation or investigation. Such programs will highlight the history, research, evidence, and analysis underlying the restoration of Colonial WilJiamsburg's historic buildings, their interior installations, exterior environments, and the ongoing process of discovery at Colonial Williamsburg.

With guidance and collaboration from the MPHR Sites Committee: designs and implements educational and operational strategies for the sites; organizes and facilitates tours and other public programs; manages and leads an experienced, passionate corps of interpreters, volunteers, and interns; works collaboratively with team members who preserve the buildings, colJections, and grounds; and indirectly manages support personnel assigned to the sites.

Essential Functions:

Interpretation and Historical Knowledge

1. Collaborates with the MPHR Sites Committee and others to identify central narratives characterizing each site; establish annual and long-term goals for public programs and operational requirements; develops strategies for accomplishing these goals and shares responsibilities for the motivation and development of all department employees.

2. Oversees operations and develops, implements, and monitors the quality of new, dynamic, and engaging interpretive experiences and public programs at historic sites as assigned.

3. Interprets the sites and assists in covering interpretive assignments during staff absences; offers and arranges specialized tours to dignitaries and groups as assigned.

Stewardship & Management

4. Ensures that all safety, security, and conservation procedures are followed; resolves guest problems and responds promptly to accidents and other emergencies

5. Continually observes condition of the buildings, grounds, and collections at the sites, reporting concerns to appropriate personnel.

6. Monitors the budget and provides input into the annual budget planning process. Purchases and manages materials and supplies for programming.

7. Hires, supervises, trains, schedules, coaches, and evaluates interpreters, interpreter/volunteer leader, and interns.

8. Works with the interpreter/volunteer leader to recruit and train volunteers and to evaluate their presentations.

9. Assists with the management and arrangements of special events, major educational programs, and photo sessions for products and media relations at sites as assigned.

Additional

10. Represents sites on committees or other work groups as assigned.

11. Performs other related duties as required.

Supervision to be Exercised:

Direct:  Interpreters, Interpreter/Volunteer Leader, and Interns.

Indirect:  Volunteers, Personnel from other Foundation divisions working at the sites

Required and Preferred Education and Experience:

Required:     Bachelor's degree in American History, Historic Preservation, Public History, Architectural History, Art History, Museum Education, or Museum Studies; direct experience with architectural preservation and/or archaeology fieldwork; previous administrative experience managing historic sites and supervising staff; and developing and implementing dynamic, engaging, and highly-rated public programs for at least 5 years in a lead role

Preferred:    Master's degree in American History, Historic Preservation, Public History, Architectural History, Art History, Museum Education, or Museum Studies; previous administrative experience managing multiple historic sites and supervising staff; and developing and implementing dynamic, engaging , and highly-rated public programs for at least 7 years in a lead role.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of American history with emphasis on 18th - 20th century Williamsburg and Virginia at historic sites as assigned.
• Understanding of interpretive techniques; demonstrated experience with successful program development and implementation.
• Willingness to innovate in new ways of engaging visitors in historic house museums.
• Portfolio of dynamic, successful programs at historic sites.
• Direct experience with architectural preservation and or archaeology fieldwork.
• Must have an understanding of professional museum practices including curatorial, conservation, collections, and preservation principles; excellent public contact skills including ability to deal with a wide variety of guests with tact and courtesy.
• Proven ability to work flexibly, collaboratively, and productively with others.
• Ability to present content accurately and effectively, supervise and when necessary provide counsel to employees, volunteers, and interns, and communicate orally and in writing-generally gained through a Bachelor' s degree plus five years of historic site experience and previous administrative and supervisory experience.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends, nights and holidays.