Senior Director of Education - Betty Brinn Children's Museum

Status: Full-time | Exempt
Location: 929 E. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Reports to: CEO
Supervises: Education Team 

Our Mission:

Inspire all children to wonder and explore their world through play and innovative, hands-on learning experiences.

Become a valued member of the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum’s (BBCM) team!
We are looking for enthusiastic, positive, and driven, team players with a passion for early childhood education to help us reach our goal of providing ALL children with high-quality, hands-on, playful learning experiences. We believe teamwork stems from supportive and collaborative discussions. We invest in our team member’s professional growth and celebrate curious minds.   

At the Museum, we are committed to equal employment opportunities for all employees and job applicants, and it prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment based on factors such as race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
 

Position Summary: 
The Senior Director of Education is responsible for the strategic planning, leading, and managing the educational vision and initiatives of the Museum, including the BAM! (Be A Maker Space),  and Wonder Wagon mobile museum. This role involves the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative educational programs designed for early childhood learning that engage children, families, and school groups. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Senior Director of Education collaborates with other departments to create engaging, fun, innovative, and accessible educational experiences that align with the museum's mission, vision, and strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities:
Educational Program Strategy and Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive educational program strategy that supports the museum's mission, vision, and strategic goals and aligns with broader community needs to address education gaps. 
• Collaborate with the museum's leadership team and stakeholders to identify educational priorities, objectives, and content.
• Design and implement innovative, accessible, and engaging educational programs and experiences for diverse audiences, including children, families, school groups, and community organizations.
• Develop and implement evaluation tools that align with the Museum’s vision and goals to track and assess programmatic and educational outcomes. 
• Creates and leads educational programs across the Museum and Wonder Wagon. 

BAM! (Be A Maker Space), Weekly Programs, Field Trips Programs, Sensory Friendly Programming,, and Wonder Wagon Mobile Museum:
 

• Oversee the development, management, and evaluation of the museum's specialized educational spaces and initiatives.
• Ensure educational programming within these spaces aligns with best practices in early childhood education, informal learning, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of these initiatives, identifying areas for improvement and growth.

Community Engagement and Partnerships:

• Collaborate with the Outreach & Data Manager to develop and implement strategies for building relationships with schools, community organizations, and other partners.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership to expand the museum's educational reach and impact.
• Work closely with the Museum's development function to cultivate and steward relationships with donors, sponsors, and grantors in support of educational initiatives.
• Build relationships with early learning educators and organizations in the area to enhance early learning programming.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to teams to ensure consistent delivery of exceptional educational experiences. 
• Foster a positive work culture emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, train, and mentor a high-performing team dedicated to early childhood learning.
• Set clear expectations and goals and provide regular feedback and evaluations to the team.

Qualifications and Preferred Experience :

• Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education, or related field. At least three to five years progressive experience in Early Childhood Education with a minimum of two years in a leadership role overseeing a team.
• Experience teaching urban youth from infants to 4th grade, either within a preschool or early elementary classroom environment or within the settings of an informal learning environment (museum, arts center, science center, etc.) 
• Active teaching license (preferred but not required).

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in creating, overseeing, and implementing learner-centered educational programs, workshops, and exhibits tailored for children from infants to ten years old.
• Strong knowledge and experience in developing curricula aligned with educational standards and museum exhibits, with a proven ability to analyze educational data to inform decisions and improve program outcomes.
• Passionate about early childhood education, with hands-on experience and a deep understanding of child development.
• Highly skilled in engaging and interacting with diverse audiences, including children, families, and educators.
• Strong leadership and management capabilities, with the ability to inspire and guide teams effectively.
• Exceptional time management, organizational skills, and a results-oriented mindset.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with understanding of  grant writing and fundraising to support educational programs.
• Adaptable and able to work in fast-paced environments, handling multiple tasks simultaneously and flexible with working hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Benefits & Salary: 
BBCM offers a generous benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• Medical Insurance (BBCM pays 80% of cost)
• Dental Insurance (BBCM pays 80% of cost)
• Vision, Critical Illness, Accidental Insurance, Supplementary Life, and Accidental Death  Dismemberment eligibility
• HSA with employer contributions
• HRA employer-paid plan
• Employer-paid plans for Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance &
• Long-Term Disability
• 401k with the Museum contributing 5% at year-end (not matching every pay period)
• 18 days PTO
• Dedicated Sick Time 
• Nine Paid Holidays 

Salary Range: 
Please reach out to the Director of People and Culture, Libby Cable at lcable@bbcmkids.org for more information regarding the salary. 
 

To Apply: 
Send your resume and cover letter stating why you are interested in this position. Please be sure to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements. 
 

Deadline to apply:
Friday, October 11th at 10 am.  

All offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of thorough background and reference checks. This position will remain open until filled.

Powered by JazzHR