South Street Seaport Museum seeks a dynamic Director of Education to develop and lead the Education Department in producing, implementing, and evaluating its programs. Since 1967 the Museum has acted as an agent for education, preservation, and social service, with an academic tradition of excellence and intellectual rigor. Hundred thousands of visitors have learned about the contributions of the Port of New York to the city, state, nation and world through its programs. The Director of Education will oversee programming in schools and at the museum’s campus, including the Schermerhorn Row museum galleries, Bowne & Co. stationers, the maritime craft center, Pier 16, and an historic fleet of ships.
As part of a small, hard-working team, the Director of Education works collaboratively with all departments. Reporting to the President, the Director of Education has oversight responsibility for the curriculum, pedagogy and instructors of the museum’s school and university education programs, community and continuing education programs, and professional development programs.
The ideal candidate is a team oriented leader, with an outstanding ability to collaborate both internally and with community partners. Attention to detail and follow-through are essential. The nature of the job includes occasional evening and weekend work serving as on-site point person for events, working with outside groups, and representing the Museum at partner meetings and functions. Due to the Museum’s current size, the Director of Education is a hands-on position, not merely a supervisory one. The ideal candidate will gracefully and capably lead by example through outstanding work practices, attention to mission, and professional demeanor.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Education Program Design, Planning, and Leadership:
Overall responsibility for education programming of the Museum. Lead by example with a strong work ethic. Nurture a cooperative and professional working environment. Ensure safety, security, and financial integrity in all education programs. Supervise education team to ensure programming is running effectively and with the ethos of the museum.
Design and produce annual operations plans for the education department in partnership with the Museum’s Director of Operations and other staff. Lead the education department’s contributions to Museum long-term strategic planning as required.
In collaboration with others, foster a culture of teaching and learning in all aspects of the Museum’s work.
Grant Writing and Development:
In collaboration with others, identify and apply for grants and other institutional support from private foundations, individual donors, and local, state and federal governments.
Provide the Museum’s development team with the quantitative and qualitative data required to effectively tell the Museum’s story and inspire financial support.
Education Program Implementation:
Update the Museum’s curriculum ensuring that participants experience relevant, rigorous, and interdisciplinary learning about New York City and its harbor. The museum’s curriculum includes both academic content areas (STEM; social studies; seamanship; the Arts) and social and emotional learning (critical thinking; team building; communication skills; creativity and innovation).
Oversee the museum’s pedagogical approaches which include: guided exploration, workshops, and lectures with museum staff and guest facilitators; seamanship and sail training programs for youth and adults; professional development for teachers, educators and community members; provision of educational resources and publications to teachers and community members.
Recruit schools, educational organizations and other groups to participate in museum programming. Tailor programming to needs of partner organizations, and align learning objectives with city, state and federal learning standards and benchmarks.
Maintain institutional and personal relationships with New York City’s Department of Education and other educational, cultural, and research organization partners.
Manage the schedule of education programming and effectively marshal the museum’s financial, campus and instructor resources.
Instructor Training and Professional Development:
Lead an instructional team of Museum staff, interns and volunteers ensuring that all educators have clear expectations of job responsibilities and participant learning objectives, as well as the teaching materials, training, and support needed to do their jobs safely and effectively.
Oversee the hiring and supervision, including annual performance appraisals, for Museum education staff.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
Report monthly on the education department’s progress toward short and long-term goals as determined in annual operations plans.
Establish meaningful indicators for the highest quality program instruction and education program success. Develop tools to benchmark and evaluate learning outcomes and participant experience that are useful to the Museum’s development objectives and mission.
Budgeting and Compliance:
Ensure that the education department follows all Museum policies and procedures including payroll, benefits, contracts and staff scheduling.
Develop budgets and cash flow predictions and ensure overall timely financial discipline and management within the education department.
Meet all standards and regulations required related to compliance with local, state and federal law governing education and cultural programs, as well as requirements for the Museum’s membership and accreditation as applicable.
Maintain all electronic and hard copy education department files so they are clearly organized and easily accessible.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
5-7 years of education leadership experience with direct supervision of staff, preferably in a museum or comparable non-profit organization
Broad and varied experience in education program design and implementation, including tailoring programs to state and national standards
Bachelors degree in Education or a related field is required; advanced degree preferred
Outstanding leaderships and organizational skills; self-motivated and driven
Ability to manage clearly while creating an effective, positive and fun work environment
Evidence of effective planning, decision-making abilities, outstanding attention to detail, follow-through
Experience with curriculum development and teacher training and support
Experience with grant writing and program monitoring and evaluation
Experience with education policy and contracting in New York City or other large school districts
Knowledge of the Museum’s academic content areas (human and natural history of New York Harbor; STEM; seamanship; the arts)
Knowledge of the New York City Department of Education and its structure and procedures
Ability to multi-task and prioritize responsibilities, work under pressure in fast-paced environment, and interact effectively with wide range of people
Able to work evenings and weekends/holidays as needed
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
This is a full time position offering company subsidized medical, dental and vision benefits as well as an HRA account, vacation, sick, and personal time. Employee contributed retirement and pension eligible. The Museum offers a supportive work environment with industry benefits and perks.
How to apply
Email resume, cover letter, and salary requirement with “Director of Education 2015” in the subject line to info@seany.org. No phone calls please. Post is open until filled, but priority will be given to applications received by 2/23/2015.