Director of Museum Learning (Education & Programs)

Our client - Port Discovery Children's Museum - is seeking a Director of Museum Learning.

Inspire Play. Lead Learning. Make an Impact.

Port Discovery Children's Museum is seeking a dynamic and passionate educational leader to serve as our Director of Museum Learning. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape innovative learning experiences for children ages birth through 10 and their families while leading a talented team dedicated to the power of play-based learning.

As a key member of the Learning & Visitor Experience leadership team, the Director of Museum Learning oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs that reach thousands of children and families each year. The Director also serves as the supervisor and mentor for assigned staff of the Learning Team, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous growth, as well as be a visible leader on the museum floor.

If you are an experienced educator, museum professional, or youth development leader who believes in the transformative power of playful learning, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation:

Salary range is $80,000 to $85,000 annually, based on experience. We may consider compensation above this range for candidates who bring extensive directly related experience, specialized skills, or exceptional qualifications.

What You'll Do

Lead Learning Strategy

• In partnership with the Learning & Visitor Experience leadership team, advance the museum's vision for playful learning across exhibits, programs, environments, and visitor experiences
• Establish strategic priorities and develop short-term and long-term goals, implementation plans, and success measures for museum learning initiatives
• Ensure learning experiences align with Port Discovery's mission, strategic plan, educational philosophy, PLAY Framework, and organizational values
• Collaborate across departments to integrate learning goals into museum-wide initiatives and visitor experiences.

Lead Educational Programming

• Design, implement, and evaluate high-quality learning experiences for children and families.
• Oversee a diverse portfolio of programs, including:
• School and field trip programs
• Public programs
• Homeschool offerings
• Summer camps
• Overnight experiences
• Community outreach initiatives
• Sensory Friendly Sundays

Lead and Develop Staff

• Supervise, coach, mentor, and evaluate assigned Learning Team staff.
• Facilitate staff training and professional development.
• Foster a culture of reflective practice, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain high standards of educational excellence and guest engagement.

Champion Inclusive Learning

• Ensure museum learning experiences are welcoming, accessible, and engaging for all visitors.
• Support the development of programs that serve diverse audiences, including: Children and adults with disabilities; Neurodivergent visitors; English language learners; ASL users; and Families from historically underserved communities.
• Partner with museum leadership to identify and reduce barriers to participation.

Serve as a Visible Museum Leader

• Model exemplary facilitation and guest engagement practices.
• Engage directly with children, caregivers, educators, and community partners.
• Serve as an advocate for informal learning and play-based education throughout the museum.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Museum Studies, Arts Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience developing and delivering educational experiences for children and families in museums, schools, cultural institutions, nonprofits, or related settings.
• 3+ years of experience managing the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs.
• 3+ years of experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, or developing staff.
• Strong written, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to connect authentically with children, families, staff, and community partners.
• Passion for learning through play and child-centered education.
• Excellent writing, organizational and scheduling skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education or a related field, or equivalent advanced professional experience.
• Experience in museums, informal learning environments, cultural organizations, or youth-serving nonprofits.
• Experience designing inclusive programs for diverse audiences is highly valued.

Why Join Port Discovery?

At Port Discovery, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families while helping shape one of the region's leading children's museums.

Benefits include: Free parking; Medical, dental, and vision insurance options; Generous paid vacation, personal, and sick leave; Retirement savings plan with employer match after six months ; Museum-provided life and disability insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); Travel assistance and grief counseling support; Free museum admission for your family.

Schedule Expectations

To support exceptional visitor experiences, members of the Learning & Visitor Experience leadership team are expected to work a minimum of three weekend days per month. This position also requires occasional evening, holiday, special event, and overnight program participation throughout the year.

Physical Requirements

This position requires regular movement throughout the museum, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, climbing, and occasional lifting of materials weighing up to 50 pounds. The role involves working in a dynamic environment with large groups of children and families and varying noise levels.

Learn more about Port Discovery Children's Museum at: www.portdiscovery.org

Port Discovery Children's Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Port Discovery Children's Museum conducts a criminal background check after a conditional job offer.