Director of Learning and Interpretation at Toledo Museum of Art

Job Title: Director of Learning and Interpretation 

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Toledo, OH

Salary:  $88,120 – $117,493

Job Title:  Director of Learning & Interpretation
Department:  Learning & Interpretation
Reports To:  Chief People & Culture Officer
FLSA Status:  Exempt 
Employment Status:  Full-Time
Annual Compensation:  $88,120 – $117,493
Deadline to Apply:  June 01, 2023
 
 
Please submit applications directly on the Toledo Museum of Art website http://www.toledomuseum.org/jobs. 
 
Since our founding in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art has earned a global reputation for the quality of our collection, our innovative and extensive education programs, and our architecturally significant campus.
 
And thanks to the benevolence of its founders, as well as the continued support of its members, TMA remains a privately endowed, non-profit institution and opens its collection to the public, free of charge.
 
 
SUMMARY
The Director of Learning & Interpretation is responsible for leading and coordinating all aspects of art education in the Learning and Interpretation department to include designing and overseeing outreach, interpretative material, docent programs, art classes, public programming, the Family Center, the Robert C. and Susan Savage Community Gallery, the Glass Studios and all other department strategy and operations.

 
The Director of Learning & Interpretation coordinates these diverse activities and aligns the department’s activities with the Museum’s core strategic objectives, including but not limited to Transitioning to Active Outreach and Community Engagement. This position is responsible for collaborating with colleagues and community partners in and out of the Museum to generate innovative ways to engage audiences that cultivates repeat visitation among our increasingly broadened audience and helps us achieve our vision.
 
The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) seeks to become the model art museum in the United States for its commitment to quality and its culture of belonging. This vision and the ways in which it is operationalized are established in the Museum’s Strategic Plan as well as its integrated Belonging Plan’s goals address our organization’s effort at structural change to promote diversity, equity, access and inclusion. Our organization seeks employees, gallery artists, volunteers and interns who offer diverse perspectives.
 
Reporting to the Chief People & Culture Officer, the Director of Learning & Interpretation works closely with the Leadership Team for the overall administration, coordination, and operation of Learning & Interpretation functions that support the success of the organization and its strategic objectives.
 
 
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
  • Leads the team in the development, implementation, and oversight, of all on- and off-site educational programming for the Museum. Ensures that learning and interpretation is embedded in all aspects of the Museum.
  • Successfully manages the Learning & Interpretation staff and motivates them to perform their jobs efficiently and effectively.
  • Establishes priorities, conducts team meetings, delegates authority to reporting staff, and monitors staff performance.
  • Demonstrates and supports a culture of diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging.
  • Effectively manages the budget and forecasts future financial needs to support programs and operations. 
  • Accountable for further development and stewardship of various outreach activities, and community partnerships, in support of the Museum’s strategic objectives.
  • Oversees and builds upon the long-standing tradition of youth and adult art classes offered at the Museum, including oversight of approximately $100,000 in scholarships awarded annually.
  • Advances strategic partnerships with key school districts and universities.
  • Works with Development to identify funding needs and grants to reach broader audiences.
  • Oversees the volunteer docent core to ensure recruitment and ongoing education are in alignment with the Museum’s vision.
  • Responsible for cultivating relationships with artists in the Toledo community as it relates to the Robert C. and Susan Savage Community Gallery, the Guest Artist Pavilion Project, outreach, and art classes.
  • Partners closely with curatorial and exhibitions staff to develop meaningful opportunities for visitor educational engagement with works of art.
  • Proactively identifies and builds strategic national partnerships as appropriate. 
  • Develops and maintains excellent working relationships with donors, docents, patrons, colleagues from other institutions, and the academic community; serves as the staff liaison for the TMA Board’s Education Committee.
  • Performs other duties as assigned or required.
 
RELATIONSHIPS
  • Manages the Learning & Interpretation department with up to 7 direct reports (with the potential for more or less). Collaborates with the Leadership Team, partnering closely with the Chief People & Culture Officer, curatorial, finance, development and marketing departments.
  • Meets extensively with community and education organizations outside of the Museum.
  • Reports to the Chief People & Culture Officer; meets with the Director on an as-needed basis.
 
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
  • Master’s degree with 5+ years’ educational leadership experience required; 3 years of experience in museum setting, or cultural institution setting preferred.
  • Consideration will be given to candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years’ educational leadership experience.
  • Large-scale project management experience required.
 
SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCIES, AND ABILITIES
  • Demonstrated outstanding communication skills at all levels; demonstrated ability to obtain consensus from diverse stakeholders and ability to lead and influence without authority.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
  • Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
  • Strong work ethic.
  • Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
  • Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
 
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Standard open concept office work environment shared with staff, with related phone, computer, and printer noise. Position requires ability to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, printer, smart board, and phone system. The person in this position frequently communicates with public membership and staff who have inquiries and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations; the person in this position frequently attends events inside and outside of TMA, with non-standard work hours, including evenings and weekends with occasional overnight travel.
 
 
BENEFITS
  • 25 Days of Paid Time Off Annually
  • 6 Paid Holidays Annually
  • 2 Floating Holidays Annually
  • 3 Paid Volunteer Days Annually
  • Birthday Paid Day Off
  • Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
  • 403b Retirement Savings Plan
  • Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Term Life and AD&D Insurance Plans
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Pet Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Plan
  • Museum Family Membership
  • Employee Discounts in the Museum Store, Café, Studio Art Classes, & More!
 
 
The Toledo Museum of Art provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state statutes. The Museum is committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are treated equitably and given the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the workplace. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at jobs@toledomuseum.org or (567)-666-0387.

 

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
  • Master’s degree with 5+ years’ educational leadership experience required; 3 years of experience in museum setting, or cultural institution setting preferred.
  • Consideration will be given to candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years’ educational leadership experience.
  • Large-scale project management experience required.