Overview:

The Food + Farm Exploration Center (Exploration Center), in partnership with Farming for the Future Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to educate current and future generations about agricultural innovation and sustainability. The Exploration Center will promote agricultural literacy, increase the understanding of the origins of food, and deepen the relationship between farmers and consumers.  The Exploration Center will be a state-of-the-art manifestation of the Foundation’s educational mission. It will be a centralized place for people to come together on a journey into the world of modern agriculture, meet the people behind food production, build science and engineering skills, connect, play, and learn. It will be a teaching farm, a children’s museum, a science center, and a community workshop all rolled into a tantalizing celebration of food and farming. The Exploration Center will create common ground where people can learn directly from the industry. It is important for people to know where their food comes from, and farmers are eager to share those stories. Located in Plover Wisconsin, the Exploration Center will be the cornerstone of innovation and exploration as it relates to food grown for human consumption. 

The Operations and Exhibits Director will report directly to the Executive Director and lead facilities staff, set operational priorities and implement long-term strategies. The Director will possess a positive and creative approach to leadership. Familiarity or experience with youth and family interactive programming, science, technology, and agricultural programming is preferred. The ability to lead a highly functional team with enthusiasm and professionalism is required.  

Qualifications:

• An expressed interest in production agricultural innovation and sustainability, scientific developments, and STEM education.  

• Knowledge of exhibit design and fabrication techniques, graphic production, and multi-media/AV systems used in interactive exhibits.   

• 5 years of increased responsibility and demonstrated success in facility, entertainment, event, and/or museum management.

• Experience with non-profit and/or educational organizations. 

• Self-starter with a demonstrated strong work ethic. 

• Must possess excellent project management skills with the ability to prioritize and problem solve.

• Experience managing high performing staff.

• Aptitude to work in a cross-functional organization.

• Effective written, verbal, and visual communication skills. 

• Motivated by change, growth, and the unknown. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Responsible for supervising and carrying out various tasks involved in operating the site, such as building and field maintenance, preventative maintenance plans, equipment maintenance, emergency response, and accident prevention. 

• Oversee the Facilities and Maintenance Coordinator and the Farm and Grounds Manager.

• Lead the staff by setting expectations, being accessible, delegating, and empowering.

• Prepare and manage an annual budget, track and report project results, expenses, and revenue to the Executive Director. 

• Supervise and coordinate planning, maintenance, improvement, and expansions, of the facilities.

• Manage proposals, negotiations, and contracts with third parties related to facilities management and act as primary contact for each.

• Approve purchases of Facilities and Maintenance Coordinator and Farm and Grounds Manager.

• Collaborate with the Visitor Experience and Educational Programming Directors.

• Negotiate all building insurance contracts and act as the primary contact for insurance matters.

• Ensure proper safety and security systems are up to code in for all areas of the facility.

• Directly involved with all operations of the Exploration Center’s facilities and activities.

• Oversee the design, fabrication, installation, maintenance, remediation, and evaluation of state-of-the-art interactive exhibits.

• Manage a talented team of exhibit technicians, external exhibit, and construction partners, contractors, vendors, and volunteers to bring new exhibit experiences.  

• Oversee the development and implementation of exhibit evaluation based upon active collection of visitor data and staff involvement. 

• Collaborate on grant proposals for exhibit funding..  

• Engage in nation-wide networking and participation in Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)/ Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) to keep current on best practices in production agricultural, science, and STEM education and exhibit technologies.