Chief Operating Officer

Discovery Center Collective: Don Harrington Discovery Center & Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center
Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (Full-time, Exempt)
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Discovery Center Collective (DCC) includes two interactive, recreational learning spaces in Amarillo, TX: Don Harrington Discovery Center and Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center. The Chief Operating Officer has tactical responsibility for key departments, and oversees the day-to-day management of both locations to ensure program growth, quality processes and infrastructure to achieve the goals of the Discovery Center Collective to fulfill its mission. Key responsibilities and departmental reporting include: Education, Visitor Experience, Museum Operations, Exhibits, Facilities and Safety/Security. Reporting to the CEO, the successful candidate is a vital member of the staff leadership team who works closely with all departments and the Board of Trustees as needed, as well as other community organizations and partners, school districts, nonprofits, and community leaders. A high level of professionalism, compassion, and successful
team management experience is necessary.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership / Strategy
- Oversee and manage the following departments: Education, Visitor Experience, Operations, Exhibits, Facilities and Security for both locations.
- Supervise full time and part time staff positions, volunteers, and additional staff as assigned, and complete HR functions as needed; lead teams to excellence in all departments.
- Support and guide various departments to meet collaborative goals, and step in to lead other
departments or fill staff absence on occasion as needed.
- Work closely with the CEO to coordinate and develop organizational goals and growth, with a
particular focus on earned revenue.
- Attend conferences, workshops, events and business meetings on behalf of organization.
- Keep current on best practices and industry trends in museums and formal and informal education, and advise colleagues and departments as needed.
- Build collaborative relationships with community businesses and nonprofits.
- Actively pursue professional development in informal education and museum field.

Administration
- Regularly prepare/review budgets and narrative and financial reports to analyze and guide
community impact and revenue development; track key data points and metrics.
- Stay up to date with all museum business licenses and permits for all departments.
- Oversee staff scheduling for all departments to meet needs of both locations.
- Oversee staff training processes and conduct/schedule staff training as needed.
- Other duties as needed and assigned.

Operations / Visitor Experience
- Oversee team leading day to day admissions and ticketing operations to ensure excellent visitor experience from entry to exit.
- Assist with customer service strategies, conflict resolution, staffing issues, vendor issues, and stepping in for guest support as needed.
- Oversee inventory management; analyze and provide reports regarding COGS, sales, and strategy.
- Oversee processes and strategy for operations, memberships, birthday parties, facility rentals, gift shop and concession sales, ensuring efficiency, community impact, and revenue growth.
- Work closely with CEO and other departments to develop and lead ticketing, admission, and other sales strategies aligning with strategic plan.
- Work closely with Communications and Advancement departments on memberships, programs, and other development strategies and initiatives.
- Develop expertise in Altru/Blackbaud POS/museum management system.
- Oversee Volunteer Management processes and systems.

Education Department
- Oversee Education department to ensure needs of staff and community are met, including:
- School Programs and Services: School contracts, field trips, community outreach, virtual learning (locally, nationwide and internationally), and off-site community programs.
- Public Programs: Public events, Recurring/regular museum programs, Exhibit content, Daily museum experience, and camps.

- Work with the Education team on program development, staff training, attendance and revenue growth, staff scheduling and other metrics.
- Support growth of on-site school and public programs, daily museum experience, community outreach, seasonal camps, family programs, virtual learning, public events, outdoor education, and other initiatives to grow impact and revenue.
- Oversee planning, promotion and execution of public and educational events.
- Provide direction and support for department initiatives including hands on program support and teaching as needed.
- Act as liaison for parent interactions and actively work with and address children in seasonal
holiday camps, school programs, and public settings.
- Pursue and secure school contracts to deliver educational content at DCC sites and on campuses.

Exhibits / Facilities / Security
- Work closely with CEO to lead development and implementation of exhibit calendar and visitor
engagement and experience at both DHDC and Wildcat Bluff.
- Ensure safety, security, functionality and public understanding of all exhibit, facilities, and grounds at both locations.
- Work with contractors, designers, donors, other departments, media, constituents and the public as needed to curate an innovative and excellent experience for all parties and stakeholders.
- Navigate and address any issues that arise, and work with staff to identify/implement solutions.
- Support staff and volunteers in providing new and innovative experiences and content.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor degree from an accredited four-year college or university required; MBA or equivalent academic training and certification is preferred.
- Seven years of senior management experience leading diverse staff within major non-profit or
relevant corporate or government environments required; ten years preferred.
- Current or prior experience in museum field, or experiences of a nature that would result in key understanding of museums, education and/or science centers is advantageous.
- Demonstrated experience in team management (at least 5-10 people), with proven track record in program creation and revenue stream analysis, management and growth.
- Ability to source, design and implement training for staff as needed. Keen understanding of formal and informal educational systems and trends.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and learner-centered strategies.
- Superior verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, strong public speaking and public relations skills.
- Excellent organization abilities, including managing simultaneous projects and keeping track of details.
- Strong computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, publishing, email, and web software; Knowledge of or ability to learn Clickup, Altru, Activeworks, and other software as needed.
- Ability to work within a high-energy, collaborative team environment.

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to do close work with a computer monitor and perform repetitive hand movements, and lift up to 30 pounds occasionally.
- This position has a primary office at Don Harrington Discovery Center, but will also work at Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center regularly.
- Ability to work typical business hours Monday through Friday, with occasional weekends and evenings as needed.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to understand and operate effectively within a 501c3 nonprofit governing environment while providing strong leadership in the implementation of best practice management techniques in business. The successful candidate must have excellent people and organizational skills to lead and develop a variety of Director and Manager personalities to ensure deadlines are met, quality and accuracy never waiver, and organizational goals are met or exceeded. Furthermore, they must demonstrate the ability to work independently in an entrepreneurial fashion yet thrive within a highly collaborative team setting, with an eye on revenue growth and organizational stability. The qualified individual must demonstrate a passion for education and/or science and nature as well as understand the missions, key markets and audiences of both DHDC and Wildcat Bluff.

COMPENSATION
Full time, 40 hours, exempt. Pay range is $75,000-$85,000 annually with yearly review for increase. Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, FSA, life insurance, and others.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION
Apply through Bamboo HR, accessible through the DCC website at the following link:
https://discoverycentercollective.org/about-dcc/careers/. Include your resume with a cover letter summarizing your interest in working in informal education, your team management experience, and why you want to work at the Discovery Center! Please provide at least one reference from a supervisor and one or two references from direct reports. You may contact Chief Executive Officer, Wendy Taylor at wtaylor@dhdc.org. Resumes sent without a cover letter will not be considered.

Salary : $75,000 - $85,000