Overview:    

Position Summary: 

Inspire Play. Lead Learning. Make an Impact.

Port Discovery Children's Museum is seeking a dynamic and passionate educational leader to serve as our Director of Museum Learning. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape innovative learning experiences for children ages birth through 10 and their families while leading a talented team dedicated to the power of play-based learning.

As a key member of the Learning & Visitor Experience leadership team, the Director of Museum Learning oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs that reach thousands of children and families each year. The Director also serves as the supervisor and mentor for assigned staff of the Learning Team, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous growth, as well as be a visible leader on the museum floor.

If you are an experienced educator, museum professional, or youth development leader who believes in the transformative power of playful learning, we encourage you to apply.

Schedule:

To support the Museum's commitment to exceptional visitor experiences, all full-time employees within the Learning & Visitor Experience Department are expected to work a minimum of three weekend days per month. Evening, holiday, and special event work is a regular expectation of this position and will be scheduled based on departmental and organizational needs. The Director plays a large role in overnight workshops, which occur on occasional Saturday nights throughout the year.

Compensation:

Salary range is $80,000 to $85,000 annually, based on experience. We may consider compensation above this range for candidates who bring extensive directly related experience, specialized skills, or exceptional qualifications.

Qualifications:

Port Discovery is seeking individuals who are:

● Passionate about playful learning and its impact on families and communities;

● Adept at developing and evaluating evidence-based and child-centered programs for children between the ages of birth to ten and their families;

● Skilled in coaching and training to support the growth and development of assigned staff. 

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, museum studies, arts education or related field.

• Minimum of 5 years working with children 0-10 years old.

• Minimum of 3 years managing the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programming and partnerships.

• Minimum of 3 years training, coaching, mentoring experience preferred.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with diverse, intergenerational audiences, in an energetic, friendly, outgoing, and professional manner.

• Comfortable engaging with young children and their families one-on-one and in large groups.

• A passion for learning, play, and fun.

• Excellent writing, organizational, and scheduling skills.

Preferred:

● Master’s degree in education or related field;

● Experience working with diverse communities.

Job Responsibilities:    

Strategic Leadership

• In collaboration with the Senior Director, lead the Museum's vision for playful learning across exhibits, programs, environments, and visitor experiences.

• Develop priorities, short-term and long-term annual goals, and implementation plans for all learning programs.

• Serve as an internal thought partner and advocate for playful learning. 

Program Development

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of innovative playful learning experiences for schools and groups, homeschool, summer camp, public programs, and overnight workshops.

• Create seasonal programming, family experiences, workshops, and special initiatives that support the Museum's mission.

• Lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of Sensory Friendly Sundays and other initiatives designed to expand access and reduce barriers to participation.

Staff Leadership & Professional Development

• Supervise assigned staff, interns, and volunteers.

• Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, training, and performance feedback to Learning Team staff.

Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Observe learning programs and on-floor interactions, providing support and professional development opportunities to strengthen staff practice.

• Respond to collected visitor feedback, participation data, and learning outcomes.

Administrative Leadership

• Develop short-term and long-term annual work plans, program and staff calendars.

• Manage the Learning Team budget and spending.

Visitor Experience

• Engage with visitors of all ages to ensure a positive, safe, welcoming, and playful museum experience.

• Interact with visitors one-on-one and in group settings to facilitate meaningful learning opportunities.