Peggy L. Osher Head of Education

Position Summary: 

The Peggy L. Osher Head of Education leads the development and implementation of comprehensive learning, interpretive strategies, outreach efforts, and strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders. This position fosters relationships with arts, education, and community leaders, ensuring that strategic initiatives, collaborations, and programs effectively advance PMA’s mission and enrich the visitor experience. 

Essential Job Functions: 

 1. Educational Vision and Leadership 

• Develops and articulates PMA’s educational vision, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and its identity as an educational leader. 

• Oversees Museum Educator and Volunteer programs, building partnerships with cultural, educational, and community organizations to expand reach and impact. 

• Leads institution-wide interpretive programming, collaborating with curatorial staff and advisory groups to deepen visitor engagement with collections, exhibitions, and digital content. 

• Supervises the PMA Workshop, partnering with education, curatorial, and design teams to deliver innovative and engaging content. 

2. Community Engagement and Outreach 

• Develops strategies to integrate community voices into PMA’s educational programs, exhibitions, and interpretive initiatives, fostering meaningful and inclusive engagement. 

• Builds partnerships with schools, universities, cultural organizations, and community groups to expand access to PMA’s resources and promote lifelong learning. 

• Represents PMA in local, national, and international forums to showcase innovative approaches to education and interpretation and strengthen connections within the museum education field. 

• Collaborates with educators and community leaders to co-create programs that align with PMA’s mission and address diverse educational goals. 

 3. Visitor Engagement and Program Development 

• Leads the development of interpretative content that fosters innovative and meaningful educational experiences, ensuring accessibility for audiences of all abilities and backgrounds. 

• Champions a holistic approach to learning by aligning educational programs with PMA’s mission, integrating interdisciplinary connections, and leveraging interpretive strategies to create dynamic and enriching visitor experiences. 

• Develops resources and tools for in-gallery and online interpretation, enhancing visitor understanding and interaction with the PMA’s collections and exhibitions. 

• Collaborates with internal teams to innovate and expand educational offerings, ensuring all programs reflect best practices in museum education and interpretation. 

 4. Data and Performance Metrics 

• Evaluates program success through data collection, reporting annually to PMA Leadership and the Board of Trustees.  

5. Department Financial Health 

• Manages department budgets, ensuring alignment with PMA’s goals 

• Leads a timely effort to capture, analyze, and report on departmental key performance metrics. 

• Develops actionable plans to take advantage of financial opportunities and address performance concerns. 

• Collaborates with the CFO and Business Office on implementing cost controls for departmental budgets. 

Other Duties as Assigned: 

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. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

Interviewing and hiring, training and development, scheduling, counseling and coaching, documentation, disciplinary actions, performance evaluation, and termination of employment.  

Education and Experience: 

• M.A. in art history, museum studies, museum education, or related field.  

• At least 5 years’ experience in a leadership position in art museums or cultural institutions. 

Qualifications: 

• Extensive experience in museum education and interpretation, with a strong foundation in art history. 

• Knowledge of innovative learning strategies, current educational concepts, interpretive methods, and community engagement practices. 

• Proven ability to communicate effectively through compelling writing, public speaking, and oral communication. 

• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations. 

• Supervisory experience, with a track record of managing and motivating staff, interns, and volunteers. 

• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and interpersonal skills. 

• Proven ability to establish and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships. 

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion. 

• Proficiency with computers and software, including Microsoft Office, with experience producing analytic reports from complex data. 

• Experience in program evaluation and data-driven decision-making, using quantitative and qualitative metrics to assess program impact. 

• Expertise in designing equitable and inclusive educational programs that address participation barriers and promote diversity. 

• Skilled in co-creating programs with stakeholders, engaging advisory committees, and integrating community perspectives. 

• Knowledge of interdisciplinary education, integrating arts, sciences, and humanities to enrich learning experiences. 

• Experience with digital learning platforms and virtual program management. 

• Demonstrated leadership in cross-departmental collaboration to align educational initiatives with institutional goals. 

General Expectations: 

• Maintains a friendly and welcoming demeanor for visitors, volunteers, and staff of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds. 

• Fosters positive relationships by demonstrating kindness, respect, and attentiveness in all interactions. 

• Demonstrates sensitivity to diverse cultures and orientations. 

• Supports PMA’s inclusivity and diversity action plan by promoting equity, preventing discrimination, and addressing barriers. 

• Communicates effectively by exercising tact and diplomacy while representing the Museum positively and professionally. 

• Delivers exceptional customer service across all visitor areas. 

• Adheres to all PMA safety protocols and procedures. 

Other Requirements: 

• Ability to pass a background check and other pre-employment screenings. 

• Valid State of Maine Class C driver’s license, preferred.  

Working Conditions and Physical Demands: 

The majority of work is performed in a museum, gallery, or office environment, not subject to extremes of noise, temperature, or odor. This role involves regular use of computers, printers, photocopiers, scanners, digital cameras, and audio and video recording and playback equipment, as well as occasional use of small hand tools and a paper cutter. The position requires extended periods of sitting, standing, and walking, including the setup and breakdown of program materials and equipment. 

Frequent local and regional travel is required, with occasional national and international travel for conferences, professional development, and partnership initiatives. The role may also require flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays to support museum programs and events. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: 

PMA is committed to diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, whistleblower status, marital status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. 

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Maine Human Rights Act, PMA provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship. This policy covers all employment practices, including the application process. For accommodation requests, please contact PMA’s Human Resources. 

All job requirements are essential, with necessary accommodations considered on a case-by-case basis for those with disabilities, ensuring they can perform job functions either independently or with reasonable assistance. 

This job description is not a contract and may be adjusted as needed to meet the changing needs of the employer and job requirements.