Vice President of Programming

Summary/Objective
The Vice President of Programming at the Orlando Science Center will provide strategic leadership and vision for the museum’s programming efforts, ensuring the development and implementation of high-quality, innovative, and interactive educational experiences. The Vice President of Programming will work closely with the Director of Public Programming and the Curator of Conservation and Welfare to drive the museum’s commitment to delivering engaging, visitor-centered programs that align with OSC’s mission and goals. Reporting directly to the CEO, the VP of Programming will be responsible for the strategic direction, development, and management of the center's interactive and conservation programming.

Essential Functions

• Lead and provide strategic direction for both the Curator of Conservation & Welfare and the Director of Programming, ensuring alignment of both departments with OSC’s overall mission and goals.
• Oversee the development of departmental operating budgets and resource allocation, ensuring that financial goals and budgetary constraints are met.
• Foster a collaborative environment between departments, encouraging innovation, teamwork, and mutual support to achieve shared organizational objectives.
• Oversee the design, development, and delivery of high-quality, interactive and conservation programming for OSC’s audiences, ensuring alignment with OSC’s strategic goals, including experiential and educational objectives and visitor engagement.
• Evaluate and improve quality standards for all visitor programming, and conservation messaging using data and feedback to enhance experiences.
• Assist with special projects, as needed, to meet the evolving needs of OSC’s programming and conservation efforts.
• Actively participate in the development of grant proposals, sponsorship packages, and other funding opportunities to support the museum’s programming and conservation efforts.
• Responsible for development and oversight of exhibit hall floor facilitation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required
• Experience & Certifications:
  • A minimum of 7 years of experience in leadership roles within a museum, zoo, aquarium, or similar institution.
  • Expertise in educational programming.
  • At least 5 years of experience managing large teams and overseeing multiple departments.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other standard software systems.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Creative, strategic problem-solver with a growth mindset and the ability to work well under pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in museum programming, visitor experience, and best practices in educational content development.
• Expertise in animal welfare.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven track record of managing budgets, resources, and complex projects.
• Familiarity with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Accreditation process.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position is directly responsible for the hiring, training, and development of full-time employees. The division includes part time employees, seasonal employees, interns, and volunteers.

Physical Demands

• Ability to remain in a stationary position.
• Moves throughout the museum.
• Ascends/descends stairs throughout the museum.
• Observes and reacts to the needs of guests, staff, and volunteers.
• Communicates and exchanges accurate information with guests, staff, and volunteers in a variety of formats including in-person, electronically, and over the phone.
• Operates a computer and/or office equipment efficiently and accurately.
• Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.
• Understand and distinguish speech and other sounds (machinery, alarms, equipment).
• Manipulates and moves components weighing up to 50 pounds, including those that may be low to the ground or above eye level.
• Occasionally works in outdoor environments.
• Frequently works in indoor environments.
• Coping with demands and stresses associated with job and work environment.
• Kneeling, crouching, stooping, and crawling -Occasionally
• Weight Levels – Lift, Push, Pull
• Up to 50 pounds

Expected Hours of Work & Travel

• This position is full time.
• This position may be required work weekends and after hour events as needed.
• Travel throughout Central Florida and nationally area may be required to attend conferences or training programs.

Telecommuting
This position is required to be onsite 80% of the time.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.