Manager of Public Programs at Heritage Museum and Gardens

OVERVIEW:

Heritage Museums & Gardens (HMG), the largest cultural organization on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, celebrates the landscapes and culture of our region and inspires over 120,000 visitors annually to explore, discover, and learn together. HMG is seeking a dynamic creator of high-quality educational programs and experiences to join our team.

The Manager of Public Programs is a key position within the larger Visitor Engagement team, and is responsible for creating, managing, and evaluating a wide range of creative, mission-driven programs and events that create relevant, accessible, engaging experiences that respond to the needs of HMG’s varied audiences, including multi-generational family groups, youth, and adult intentional learners.  

Primary responsibilities include:

• Leading the planning of a robust annual schedule of formal and informal programs using in-person and virtual platforms
• Collaborating with community members, organizations and groups
• Guiding and coordinating program design and content, leveraging internal institutional talent and content and external content experts
• Ensuring quality in content and delivery, and alignment with the museum’s mission, Strategic Plan, Interpretive Plan, and annual goals
• Organizing, communicating, and overseeing program logistics and delivery
• Collaborating with the Marketing team to create promotional content
• Conducting evaluation that leads to continual improvement of programs and the visitor experience

This position supervises the Family and Youth Programs Coordinator, including oversight of school group, adult group, and family programming, and the management of Hidden Hollow, a two acre outdoor discovery area.

The ideal candidate will be personable, diplomatic, adaptable, and solution-oriented. They will have a relevant Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of four years of previous public programming experience, two years of supervisory experience, familiarity with informal learning environments and educational best practices, excellent communication and strong interpersonal skills, a commitment to teamwork, and enthusiasm for working with all members of the public.

This position is full time, exempt, and requires the ability to work occasional evenings and weekends. Heritage Museums & Gardens is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive space for all.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please see the full position description at https://heritagemuseumsandgardens.org/about-us/join-our-team/ for more information. To apply, email a resume and cover letter to hmead@heritagemuseums.org by March 3. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates are encouraged to apply early, as the position will close once a robust applicant pool is achieved or a candidate has been selected.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Responsible for creating and managing effective, innovative, and engaging programs and events that respond to the needs of Heritage Museums & Gardens’ (HMG’s) diverse audiences; collaborating with community members, organizations and groups; and conducting evaluation that leads to continual improvement of programs and the visitor experience.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate a wide range of creative, mission-driven programs and events that create relevant, accessible, engaging experiences that respond to the needs of HMG’s varied audiences, including multi-generational family groups, youth, and adult intentional learners. Lead the planning of a robust annual schedule of formal and informal programs using in-person and virtual platforms. Guide and coordinate program design and content, leveraging internal institutional talent and content and external content experts. Ensure quality in content and delivery, and alignment with the museum’s mission, Strategic Plan, Interpretive Plan, and annual goals. Oversee program logistics and delivery.
2. Assess existing program streams to maximize their potential. Develop new formats for programs that engage a diverse and expanded community of learners and use museum resources in innovative ways.
3. Assist the Chief Program Officer with analysis of other area program offerings and establishing clear and appropriate market niches for HMG’s offerings.
4. Cultivate, develop, and maintain relationships with new and existing collaborating partners.
5. Prepare and manage the annual budget in areas of responsibility. Operate within annual goals, course correcting as needed.
6. Create and sustain programming that generates earned revenue in accordance with annual goals. Use established systems and protocols to prepare and manage program and event budgets, and monitor program performance against targets. Provide financial analysis at individual and aggregate program levels.
7. Work with colleagues to establish appropriate staffing to achieve program goals, including training, scheduling, supporting, and working collaboratively with paid staff and volunteers assisting with program implementation.
8. Design and conduct evaluation to measure program effectiveness. Deliver reports on program outcomes. Develop or adjust programming as necessary in response to evaluative data and expressed audience needs and interests.
9. Track, analyze, and report regularly on program data, including participation, budgetary performance, and impact upon participants.
10.  Lead the development of programming for adult lifelong learners, including seniors and special interest audiences (e.g. garden and auto enthusiasts).
11.  Supervise the Family and Youth Programs Coordinator, including oversight of on-site school and youth group programming, adult group visit programs, and family programming, including Hidden Hollow activities.
12.  Support the planning and execution of the Gardens Aglow event, assisting with event preparation, facilitating special programs, and performing event management duties.
13.  Work collegially and cooperatively with departments across the organization to ensure good communication and the effective management and promotion of all programs and events. Participate in regular cross-departmental meetings to share information and timely operational and logistical details. Demonstrate willingness to flexibly assist other Visitor Engagement teammates as needed.
14.  Collaborate with the Marketing Department to create content for use on social media, the HMG website, and on other audience engagement platforms that will generate excitement about and participation in programs.
15.  Work closely with the Development Department on a coordinated annual schedule of events, on program and event sponsorships, and to support other Development activity as needed.
16.  Represent HMG in the community in positive ways that further enhance the museum’s goals and build reputation.
17.  Stay informed of trends and current best practices in the professional field, connect with local and regional resources, and share information appropriately.
18.  Perform all other duties as assigned by Chief Program Officer or President & CEO.

Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Museum Education, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, History, or other field relevant to Heritage Museums & Gardens’ mission.
• Minimum of four years of previous experience planning and implementing programs in a museum or other cultural non-profit organization in positions of progressive responsibility.
• Minimum of two years of experience supervising staff and/or volunteers.
• Solid understanding of informal learning environments and educational best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills.
• Comfort working independently, taking initiative to perform multiple tasks efficiently without close supervision.
• Commitment to teamwork. Experience working collaboratively as a member of a team, and leading teams and partnerships.
• Ability to work constructively and professionally with diverse groups across an organization.
• Excellent negotiation, resource management, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to providing high quality visitor experiences, and enthusiasm for working with all members of the public.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills and attention to detail.
• Experience and comfort with technology, including databases, the Microsoft Office suite, audio-visual equipment, and internet conferencing. Experience with customer relationship management software, WordPress, and video editing is desired.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule. Requires occasional evening and weekend work from January-November. Requires Wednesday-Sunday work during the Gardens Aglow event (day after Thanksgiving through end of December).
• Willingness to work outdoors, including in uncomfortable weather or conditions.
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds unassisted, be on your feet for extended periods of time, and walk over irregular terrain.
• Must have current driver’s license and pass training program to operate museum transport vehicles.
• Must be at least 18 years of age and complete certification program to operate carousel.
• This position is subject to criminal background records checks.