Educational Impact Manager

The mission of the Indianapolis Zoo is to protect nature and inspire people to care for our natural world. We believe in a world where nature and people thrive. The Hix Institute for Research and Conservation acts to protect wildlife and wild places that are threatened, is a catalyst in furthering knowledge about wildlife and wild places through scientific inquiry, fosters an environmental ethic in the community, with an emphasis on how personal actions can have a positive impact on wildlife and wild place, and ensures that the Zoo operates in a manner that is consistent with our mission.

The Educational Impact Manager will be responsible for the creation of the Educational Impact Division. This new Division will focus on the Zoo's social science and education-based evaluation and research as well as lead the creation of interpretive/educational content for exhibits and programming. This role will specifically oversee the development and implementation of all educational evaluation design, implementation and reporting. In addition, this position is responsible for the creation and management of all interpretive species resources for the Zoo.

The Educational Impact Manager collaborates closely across the Education, Life Sciences, Marketing, PR and Creative Services teams to achieve designated outcomes in program development, impact and innovation. Leadership is a key component of this role as they are a member of the Education Department Leadership team, as well as leading the implementation of educational evaluation and research for the Zoo.

This role is responsible for selecting, supervising, training, and managing museum studies interns. They also will be creating and maintaining university relationships for the purpose of growing the Zoo's capacity to do educational evaluation and research. Lastly, they will be creating and managing a new volunteer role to support data collection.

Additional responsibilities and qualifications include but are not limited to:

• Defines and leads the strategic direction of all educational evaluation and research to support the Zoo in advancing goals and mission.

• Develops and implements a standard impact training program.

• Works as part of the Education Leadership Team to define annual department goals and metrics.

• Utilizes best practice in evaluation and research to inform all Indianapolis Zoo evaluation and research initiatives.

• Collaborates to develop program evaluations and manage the data collection.

• Designs, implements and reports on all exhibit evaluation and research.

• Generates evaluation analysis and impact reports.

• Publishes research outcomes through appropriate venues/channels to promote best practices as well as elevate the Indianapolis Zoo's profile.

• Builds and manages a team of passionate individuals, paid and unpaid, to achieve designated impact outcomes.
• Collaborates to ensure that all educational content shared with Zoo stakeholders is research-based, engaging and the best reflection of the Zoo's vision, mission and values.

• Co-designs Zoo exhibit/signage content as well as guest facing educational materials with various zoo teams

• Responsible for development and management of zoo exhibits in collaboration with Creative Services.
• Manages the marketing communication content for the Education Department. Two (2) years' experience in science research, preferably social science, including experience in the statistical analysis and presentation of data.
• Experience in writing scientific content for non-scientific audiences, preferably in a zoo or museum setting.
• One (1) year experience hiring and managing a paid staff or volunteers.
• Excellent written, verbal communications and presentation skills are required.
• Must possess the ability to work with highly technical material in a variety of science specialties (veterinary medicine, ecology, conservation sciences, animal behavior, physiology, etc.). Strong ability to read and understand scientific journals.
• Extremely organized and adheres to deadlines while managing multiple projects at the same time. Ability to adapt to changing demands and to succeed against multiple disparate work streams. Strong proficiency in accuracy, detail, and follow-up. Ability to multi-task; handle stressful situations and constant deadline pressures.
• Possesses initiative related to creating, implementing, organizing and communicating project details. Flexible in assignments, priorities, and scheduling. Ability to identify and negotiate competing expectations.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and occasionally attend after-hours committee meetings or special events. Ability to work weekend and evenings as needed.
• This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, position. Typical work schedule is Sunday- Thursday with additional shifts due to event and peak season as needed. Monitoring email and responding as needed on weekends and evenings.

To apply:

• Interested candidates must complete an online Zoo application.

• To be considered, applicants must include a resume, cover letter and salary requirements.
• Please note, the Zoo reserves the right to remove this job posting at any time.

Employment at the Indianapolis Zoo is contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment testing including a background check, motor vehicle check (if applicable) and a drug test.