Director of Museum Operations at Vulcan Park & Museum – Museum Studies

Job Title: Director of Museum Operations

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Birmingham, AL

Salary: $73,000 – $83,000

Description

General Position Summary:

Directs all aspects of the on-site visitor experience including physical plant and visitor interactions, focusing on building positive brand engagement. Engages diverse audiences with the region’s history through on- and off-site exhibits, educational programming, collections and other projects. Directs revenue producing operations including group tours, merchandise and private event sales utilizing active sales strategies.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

Provides collaborative leadership in enhancement of a dynamic visitor experience, community engagement and institutional relevancy for diverse audiences which incorporate VPF’s mission and vision.
As a member of the key leadership team, actively participates in and contributes to establishing and supporting clear objectives for strategic plans, annual priorities and institutional initiatives.
Leads by example in fostering a brand culture of high expectations and accountability, contributing creative ideas and solutions to support a proactive work environment.
Serves as key staff liaison in engaging appropriate ad hoc committees, sub/committees and task forces. Consults with committee chair(s) and members on matters of significance, and to achieve strategic goals. Personally or through support staff, coordinates agendas with committee chair(s), schedules, prepares for and keeps minutes of meetings.
Ensures upkeep of all physical assets (structures, landscape and hardscape) and long range plan for same.
Annually proposes departmental budget and capital expense needs, and ensures adherence to approved budget numbers.
Develops and directs strategies and business plans for achieving approved quantifiable objectives for facilities upkeep, visitor services, collections and educational program goals, and private event, group tour, and merchandise sales.
Through support staff, is responsible for the safety and security of paid and unpaid staff, visitors, volunteers, and park property. Updates and, through ongoing training, implements safety, security and emergency procedures, directing actions of staff and visitors in case of emergency. Oversees security services and personnel, reviews incident reports and follows up as appropriate. Oversees proper distribution and safekeeping of keys.
Ensures consistent, high quality visitor experience, excellent customer service and operational efficiency by directing ongoing training programs that engage paid and unpaid staff in brand enhancement and confirms staff compliance with established procedures and policies including safety and security measures.
Strategically ensures that VPM’s formal and informal educational content and programs remain relevant, engaging and are presented at the highest professional caliber.
Working collaboratively with the Visitor Services and Engagement Manager and the Merchandise Manager, oversees development of new merchandise and inclusion of quality locally made products that support The Anvil brand. Evaluates gift shop merchandise displays and inventory procedures to maximize sales and minimize losses. Directs appropriate retail placement of brand merchandise and quantity sales.
Working collaboratively with the Venue and Events Manager, directs private event sales and services. Strategically seeks opportunities to expand revenues from private events by regularly evaluating vendors, market pricing and service offerings to stay competitive. Ensures that policies and procedures for outsiders’ use of private event spaces are kept up to date and are fully implemented.
Working with the Collections Manager, strategically directs the collections/curatorial program in keeping with the board approved collections policy, including acquisition, disposal, storage, exhibition, conservation, research and exhibition, etc.

With CEO, oversees capital project planning, negotiating and construction. Annually evaluates and, with approval of CEO, contracts for needed services.

Secondary Functions:

Appreciates the importance of relationships, seeking out and cultivating mutually beneficial associations, representing VPF at public, professional and governmental events, and/or as a public speaker.
Proactively communicates performance expectations to employees, conducts performance appraisals and recommends new hires, promotions, discharges, etc. for CEO approval. Reviews and, with guidance of CEO as warranted, responds to employee complaints and suggestions.
Recommends policy and procedural changes for staff functions.
Prepares reports for Board of Directors’ meetings, and for CEO as requested.
Other duties as assigned or as needed.

Job Scope:

Performs duties with little direction given, generally operating from established guidelines. Decisions are made within general company policy, often in a team setting, and in keeping with vision and mission statements, requiring frequent independent decision making, making recommendations for needed change based upon sound judgment and reasoning. Mistakes, errors and/or poor judgment may affect VPF staff, visitors, service suppliers and may result in loss of business, poor employee or customer relations and/or bad business reputation, all of which can have negative impact on the Vulcan brand as well as financial implications for the Foundation.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Direct supervision of Visitor Services and Engagement Manager, Venue and Events Manager, Museum Programs Manager, Collections Manager, and Facility Manager, or similar positions as they may exist from time to time, and contracted service providers. Indirect supervision of visitor services staff, events manager(s), merchandise manager, facility assistants, and volunteers.

Interpersonal Contacts:

Has both internal and external contacts. The most common internal contacts are with staff members, Board of Directors and committee members, and volunteers. The most frequent external contacts are with park visitors and contract service providers and suppliers. Internal interactions involve information exchange, problem solving, and ongoing job training, all of which may involve confidential information. External interactions involve information exchange, problem solving, giving direction in emergency situations, and negotiating with contracted services and merchandise suppliers.

Requirements

Required Job Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Proven collaborative leader with record of success in operational management including, but not limited to strategic and business analysis and planning, relationship building, directing sales initiatives, personnel management, implementation of financial controls, managing facilities (housekeeping, maintenance, IT, capital projects, etc.), and oversight of security and safety.
Ability to conceptualize, strategize, set, and achieve goals with little direction or supervision.

Excellent interpersonal and English communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in groups and in one-on-one conversations through written and verbal means with diverse personalities and audiences.

Excellent leadership, with ability to direct and motivate team development and team oriented processes.
Mental ability to conduct ongoing interpersonal interactions, analyze and solve complex problems, handle multiple duties, consistently prioritize work, and perform at highest level with minimal direction.
Current knowledge of Federal, State, and Local regulations and requirements including but not limited to, fire, taxation, ADA, health, etc. as applies to employees and public facilities.
Physical ability to use the computer hardware/software, office equipment, pushcarts, move chairs, etc., to bend, twist, lift up to 20 pounds, handle small items, see and hear.
Willing to adapt to flexible schedule and respond to unanticipated needs.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Five years successful leadership team level management (e.g. General Manager or Director of Operations) preferably in a museum, attraction or nonprofit/arts organization, with demonstrated customer service, operational and financial responsibilities.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution or equivalent, advanced degree a plus

Job Conditions:

This position requires the individual to work with frequent interruptions, work with deadlines, work weekends and/or evenings, work long hours during peak periods, and work outdoors from time to time.

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