Director of Education

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill believes diversity in nature promotes a healthy, vigorous garden. We believe that diversity among our staff promotes a healthy work environment and a vigorous organization. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected statuses as required by applicable law. We believe in diversity of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ability, and all the other traits that make us unique. New England Botanic Garden is an equal-opportunity employer.  

 

 

The Director of Education is expected to carry out the responsibilities of the job in ways that support NEBG at TH’s mission and its commitment to creating a diverse and welcoming organization.

·         Being welcoming to all staff and the public

·         Be respectful of staff differences and preferences

·         Use gender-neutral communication styles

·         Respect everyone’s pronouns

·         Attend Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) workshops and training sessions

·         Make efforts to support a diverse workforce

·         Develop and support a culture within the department that recognizes and supports NEBG at TH’s IDEA initiatives.

 

The Director of Education is responsible for the continued growth, enhancement, and implementation of all New England Botanic Garden’s educational offerings, including adult and youth education, exhibitions, events, the volunteer program, the intern learning program, group visits and tours, interpretation, and educational outreach. They are responsible for providing mission-focused exhibitions and educational experiences to a diverse and ever-expanding community.

 

·      Oversee the Education Department including adult education; youth education; outreach education; volunteers; intern learning program, group visits and tours; interpretation; archives; public events; and exhibitions

·      Implementing a non-living collections policy

·      Supervise, train, and provide professional development for a team of six to eight full-time employees

·      Envision and execute the development of a master education and interpretive plan and work toward strategic growth in the department

·      Work with the Education team to create cutting-edge mission-related programming, and museum-quality exhibitions, and site-specific installations

·      Develop and manage existing and new programs to engage diverse audiences

·      Evaluate all programs, events, and exhibitions for efficacy, ROI, mission support, and community impact

·      Determines annual budget needs, authorizes budget expenditures, and together with department managers manages the operating budget for the Education department

·      Provide general support to the Education team as necessary including leading classes, tours and workshops, covering events, and assisting with exhibit fabrication as needed

 

·      Serve on NEBG at TH’s senior leadership team, including participating in long-range planning and expansion

·      Embrace NEBG at TH’s commitment to excellence in guest services, willingly and eagerly integrating the work of the Education Department with the efforts of all other departments

·      Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships and deal tactfully with community partners, visitors, students, volunteers, instructors, and staff.

·      Work with the Board of Trustees, assigned permanent and ad hoc committees, as well as donor stewardship

·      Establish relationships with allied organizations and individuals, regionally and nationally

·      Supports fundraising efforts by speaking with potential donors; providing information to support the development of grants, events, or other duties as required by the Advancement Department

·      Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate NEBG at TH’s vision and represent NEBG at TH to diverse stakeholders.

 

·      Interviews, assesses, screens, and hires candidates for positions in the Education department

·      Trains, supervises, nurtures, encourages, assesses, and counsels paid  staff

·      Fosters teamwork and mentors staff members by modeling best practices

·      Empowers staff by granting authority and autonomy whenever possible

·      Encourages staff to participate in ongoing professional development

·      Develops and implements tools and measures to evaluate the success of tasks and projects

 

 

·      Attention to detail, strong writing skills and high standards for efficiency, quality, and accuracy

·      Skill in leading, managing, supervising, building, and maintaining cohesive teams

·      Ability to work with varied constituencies, consultants, outside stakeholders, partners, and customers

·      Exceptional project management skills, including the ability to deliver on time and on budget and the ability to organize time efficiently

·      Understanding of the exhibition and event design and planning process

·      Knowledge of museum standards and procedures

·      Creative and critical thinking and implementation

 

The Director of Education is a salaried, full-time position and is exempt from overtime. The standard work schedule for this position is 40 hours per week. This position requires some flexibility and the ability to work occasional weekends and evenings as needed. Occasional off-site work may be required. 

·      Bachelor’s degree in education, museum studies, museum education, public horticulture administration, horticulture, or related field or equivalent experience 

·      Minimum of seven years in a senior-level management role

·      Proven track record of development, funding, marketing and managing well-attended, financially successful programs and events

·      Demonstrated ability to create original content and programming including classes, events, label copy, etc.

·      Experience creating and delivering successful, engaging, and mission-related programs in a non-traditional educational environment, such as a museum, nature center, or botanic garden

·      Extensive project management experience in a museum or creative capacity

·      Experience contributing to a senior management team in a collaborative work environment

·      Knowledge of current museum and/or public garden practices and trends

·      Commitment to New England Botanic Garden’s mission

 

·      Must be able to lift 25 pounds and work outdoors as required.

·      Must be able to bend, squat, kneel, stand, and walk for extended periods and to navigate uneven grounds and stairs evenly.

·      Must be able to work with appropriate computer and communications equipment.

•         Works with an awareness of surroundings and is vigilant to any possible threat to the safety of staff and the public, or NEBG at TH property. Ensures all concerns are reported promptly.

•         Reports all accidents and injuries immediately to an immediate supervisor and/or Chief Financial & Operations Officer, or designee.

•         Complies with provisions of the current Employee Handbook, all published personnel policies and job description requirements. 

In addition to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill fosters an inclusive workplace that values each member of our team. We aspire to reflect and serve our visitors as well as the communities of Worcester County, Massachusetts, and New England.