Director of Education

Position Summary:

The Director of Education leads institutional efforts to make the Missouri Historical Society the recognized leader and partner in learning about the St. Louis Region informed by historical framing through multiple perspectives. The Director heads the department that includes programming for K-12 students and educators, teens, early childhood and families, as well as museum theater programs, ensuring learning is accessible and that everyone can see themselves in local history.

Essential Functions:

Leadership

• Expands the reach of educational programs by cultivating strategic collaborations with the St. Louis regional education community
• Ensures educational programs align to best practices, support state standards, institutional goals and division aims and priorities
• Leads the implementation and refinement of long-ranging plans outlined in the institutions 2020s Vision, such as development of an interactive and educator-driven online resource portal and further develop outreach programs
• ensures goals of the interpretive plan are met at each Missouri Historical Society location
• Actively participates in institutional strategic planning and works collaboratively with the Missouri Historical Society's leadership in the pursuit of long-term initiatives and establishes and leads projects to advance those goals

Programmatic Expectations

• Leads the creation of programmatic goals that ensure mission and strategic alignment through creative and experiential learning
• Ensures delivery of relevant, engaging, accessible, diverse and inclusive mission-based experiences, educational programs and activities that broaden the understanding of the St. Louis region
• Works with area educators to develop programming that encourages students to become civically engaged and critical thinkers
• Oversees program and event delivery and evaluation in galleries, museum classrooms, History Clubhouse, outreach to schools and other offsite facilities such as daycares and the St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center
• Guide the expansion of the school and youth serving programs to consistently reach more children

Management

• Strengthens the education opportunities of programs for optimal mission impact, financial sustainability, and balanced workloads
• Acts as mentor for the education team and provides regular opportunities for trainings and continuing education with a focus on field leading practices in interpretation and DEAI

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Education, Museum Studies, Public History, Non-Profit Management, or Social Work preferred; appropriate education degrees and professional career experience may substitute
• 5 or more years of professional work experience in a museum, cultural institution, or related informal education setting, with experience in strategic planning, youth education, youth development, budget management, project management and collaboration both internally and with community stakeholders
• Enthusiasm for museum theatre required; experience with museum theatre a plus
• Experience facilitating trainings and collaborating with external partners to lead trainings
• Experience with budgeting, grant writing, and security additional funds to support educational activities

Skills:

• Ability to develop programming that is creative, participatory, and unique to St. Louis and the Missouri Historical Society
• Demonstrated passion for St. Louis regional history and willingness to engage in complex issues facing the region through dialogue centered around diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility
• Demonstrated commitment to child-led, hands-on, participatory, and inquiry-based education programs

Deadline to Apply: Position open until filled.

Please upload cover letter and resume when applying.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Current Openings for Director of Education Jobs at Missouri History Museum