Director of Visitor Engagement and Accessibility

Position Summary:

The Director of Visitor Engagement and Accessibility is charged with leading the Engagement Team of staff and volunteers to foster a welcoming and engaging environment so all guests can make personal connections to history. Key responsibilities are summarized as brand infusion, active guest interactions, widening visitor learning opportunities, promoting membership, and ensuring equitable access for guests of all abilities and experiences.

Essential Functions: 

Leadership and Teambuilding

• Collaborates with the Director of Marketing and Communications to infuse institutional branding in public spaces and help promote activities of the organization
• Coordinates with the Managing Director of Development to promote membership and giving to the institution
• Participates as a key contributor in institutional planning for all signature events and exhibits by advocating for accessibility needs and experiences of guests
• Responsible for the management and oversight of the departmental budget as well as annual staff reviews and goal-setting requirements
• Leads the coordinator on duty to ensure regular staffing schedules, daily operations, and high-quality customer service are maintained at all levels of the organization
• Chairs MHS Accessibility Committee; a cross-department collaboration to provide equitable and inclusive experiences for all guests in every institutional function
• Establishes collaboration and communication with people with disabilities and non-profits specializing in access to implement and exceed expectations and ADA standards

Guest Engagement and Accessibility

• Supports institutional revenue goals through admission-based programming for scheduled group tours and supplementary paid pop-up experiences
• Collaborates with the Digital Initiatives team to infuse technology that enhances and increases accessibility (both physical and digital) for all guests
• Leads all efforts to enhance and maintain wayfinding, technology installations, and furnishings in corridor spaces
• Provides regular training opportunities for volunteers and staff to enhance the effectiveness of the Engagement Team for facilitated dialogue, improvisation, historical interpretation, hospitality, and accessibility awareness and sensitivity
• Collaborates with the Director of Education and Interpretation to create interactive programming for adult tours, training for spontaneous interactions in exhibit galleries, regularly facilitated dialogue about core installations, and unconventional gallery tours.
• Widens learning opportunities for guests who do not fluently speak English by providing special tour opportunities, technology enhancements, or multi-lingual guidebooks
• Creates and maintains interactive stations and accessibility carts containing tools for visitors with accessibility needs to enhance their gallery experiences
• Collaborates with security and other departments to coordinate public spaces for rentals, external events, and internal signature and Development/Membership events
• Collaborates with the Evaluation Coordinator to monitor and measure guest attendance, satisfaction, and evaluate the overall guest experience
• Develops access programming for guests with special needs, such as descriptive and sensory tours
• Ensures the upkeep of equipment such as wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, sign language interpretation, and materials in alternative formats
• Some weekends and evening hours required for signature events and special hours

Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferred in hospitality, museum studies, public history, humanities, or a related field
• Minimum 2-5 years of progressive leadership responsibility, supervisory or management capacity, preferably in a nonprofit museum or cultural institution
• Meaningful experience with work related to accessibility

 Skills:

• Strong interpersonal aptitudes in interacting with a diverse community, museum staff, volunteers, interns, members, and donors
• Solid oral and written communication skills with proficiencies in MS Office Suite (especially Excel) and Outlook; familiarity with Blackbaud Altru.
• Ability to create manuals and lead training workshops; and track the implementation and infusion of written and verbal expectations to create an engaging environment
• Effective leader with emphasis in team and camaraderie building for an environment that encourages continued learning and a fun workplace
• Experience as a project manager in a museum or cultural institution setting
• Thrives and enjoys interaction with the public

Deadline to Apply: Open until filled.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Current Openings for Director of Visitor Engagement and Accessibility Jobs at Missouri History Museum