The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) seeks an experienced Senior Director of Learning and Engagement to spearhead its nature education and volunteer programs that enhance connections to the natural world and help people fall in love with nature in our region.

Reporting to the VP of Philanthropy and Engagement, this role provides strategic leadership and creative direction for student, family, and adult program development, volunteer programs, community partnerships, and on-the-floor engagement activities that are led by staff and volunteers.

Education and Public Engagement Programs

• Shapes a vision and strategy for impactful school and public programs, volunteer activities, and community partnerships.
• Oversees the development, alignment, and integration of learning, engagement, and partnerships to engage the local community.
• Collaborates across departments to create programs that invite accessible, engaging, and relevant guest experiences.
• Oversees a systematic and focused community engagement program that creates relevant, engaging, and inclusive public programs (onsite and offsite) that align with the needs of the diverse communities of Southern California.
• Works closely with schools and out of school learning organizations to design programs that enhance and complement school-based learning.
• Stays current with educational, museum interpretation, accessibility practices, and scholarship through a network of colleagues in the field, other disciplines, and literature reviews.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Works with museum colleagues to develop and implement key messages, strategies for outreach and promotion, and internal communications.  
• Serves as an ambassador for learning and engagement programs for donors, funders, and external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with the Philanthropy Department to prioritize and develop funding strategies and writes proposals for federal agencies and private foundations.
• Works closely with scientific research staff to share the Museum’s current research and collections with the public in meaningful ways.
• Works with outside partner organizations, including local school districts, universities and community groups to plan and support programming.

Leadership and Staff Development:

• Cultivates a positive organizational culture based on cross-departmental collaboration, iterative learning, and valuing individuals’ unique knowledge and experiences
• Builds staff and volunteer skills by sharing new research and models, and through continuing education.
• Builds excitement and shared sense of program ownership with staff and volunteers through communication and participation in program development.
• Direct reports include the Senior Manager of Volunteers, Senior Manager of Education, Community Engagement Manager, Nature Education Manager, and the Public Programs Manager.

Administration, Budgets, and Reporting:

• Identifies measurable outcomes, success criteria, and planning and assessment tools.
• Works with direct reports to develop, plan, and track annual budgets and revenue.
• Oversees and directs the preparation of reports, conveying metrics, narratives, and/or budget.
• Ensures fee-based programs are financially sound, and programs meet safety guidelines and museum policies. 
• Serve as project leader for key departmental and institutional strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a nonprofit and/or informal learning environment.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing educational and volunteer programs in museums.
• Experience developing and writing federal and private foundation grants.
• Proven effectiveness building and leading teams and empowering staff to make decisions.
• Demonstrated experience in effective oral and written communication, and successful grant writing. 
• Experience developing operating budgets and forecasts for projects and programs.
• Knowledge of current trends, issues, and best practices in Museum education and engagement, including experience with visitor services and community building.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting and interpreting evaluation studies, and identifying trends and new approaches.
• Passion for (or preferably background in) natural history and environmental conservation.
• Experience with diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion initiatives to make the Museum and its on-site and off-site programs more inclusive and accessible to a wide range of audiences
• Demonstrated experience building organizational partnerships and engaging new audiences through community outreach
• Minimum BA, and advanced degree in a relevant field preferable.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

In compliance with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s mandatory vaccination policy, the Museum requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accommodations based on medical and religious exemptions will be considered. 

Compensation and Benefits:

Annual compensation is $95,000.

This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, reciprocal free admission to all of Balboa Park’s museums, as well as to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

Location:

This position is based at The Nat in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park. There is flexibility for up to two days of remote work.

To apply:

Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples. Please submit materials to hr@sdnhm.org by August 15, 2024.