The Events and Education Manager at the Flint Children’s Museum is responsible for developing and managing engaging educational programs and public events designed for children from birth through eight years old. This role requires a creative and enthusiastic individual who is passionate about early childhood education and understands the unique needs and interests of young children and their families. The Events and Education Manager collaborates with educators, community partners, and museum staff to create dynamic, hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and learning through play. This role includes significant public engagement, partnerships, and resource management to enhance the museum’s impact on young children and their families.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Development:
Design and implement age-appropriate educational programs, workshops, and interactive experiences for children aged birth to eight, focusing on play-based learning.
Collaborate with early childhood educators, child development specialists, and community partners to ensure programs meet developmental milestones and educational standards.
Stay updated on best practices in early childhood education and incorporate these into the museum’s programming.
Collaborate with the museum’s leadership team to integrate educational initiatives with exhibits, fundraising, and overall operations.
Event Planning & Coordination:
Plan, organize, and execute family-friendly events, seasonal celebrations, and special programs that engage young children and their caregivers.
Manage logistics for events, including scheduling, staffing, and coordinating with other departments and vendors to ensure a seamless visitor experience.
Work with the marketing team to create promotional materials and strategies to attract families and increase participation.
Community Engagement:
Build and maintain partnerships with local schools, preschools, daycare centers, and family-oriented organizations to promote museum programs and events.
Assist in the development of outreach initiatives to engage diverse communities and ensure accessibility for all families, including those with special needs or from underserved populations.
Act as an ambassador for the museum in the community, representing the museum at events and fostering relationships that support the museum’s mission.
Budget and Resource Management:
Prepare and manage budgets for educational programs and events, ensuring that resources are used effectively and efficiently.
Identify and secure funding opportunities, such as grants and sponsorships, to support the museum’s educational initiatives.
Oversee the selection and management of educational materials, ensuring they are safe, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with program goals.
Team Leadership:
Mentor and support the team, including staff, volunteers, and interns, to ensure the successful delivery of programs and events.
Provide training and professional development opportunities for education staff, focusing on best practices in early childhood education and program delivery.
Ensure that all staff and volunteers are trained in child safety protocols and are equipped to deliver high-quality educational experiences.
Evaluation and Reporting:
Develop and implement tools to assess the effectiveness of educational programs and events. Use feedback from participants to continuously improve offerings.
Regularly report on program and event outcomes to museum leadership, highlighting successes, challenges, and areas for growth.
Regularly report to the Executive Director on program outcomes, challenges, and successes.
Use data-driven insights to continuously improve and innovate the museum’s educational offerings.
Safety and Inclusivity:
Ensure that all programs and events adhere to the highest standards of child safety and welfare, including proper supervision, and adherence to health and safety guidelines.
Create programs that welcome and celebrate all children, embracing diverse abilities, backgrounds, and experiences. Strive to make the museum's offerings accessible and meaningful for every family, ensuring that everyone can participate, regardless of their circumstances.
Technology Integration:
Explore opportunities to integrate technology into educational programs, such as virtual tours, interactive exhibits, or online resources that can be used both on-site and remotely.
Collaborate with the marketing team to create engaging content for social media that highlights the museum’s educational offerings and events.
Professional Development:
Encourage and support ongoing professional development for the entire team, including attending workshops, conferences, and other opportunities to stay current with trends in early childhood education and museum programming.
Other Duties as Assigned: Perform other tasks as needed to support the museum’s mission and goals and contribute to the success of the team and overall operations.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Museum Studies, Child Development, or a related field.
Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in early childhood education, event planning, or public programming, preferably within a children’s museum or similar setting.
Demonstrates a continuous commitment to personal and professional development, including staying current with industry trends, best practices, and evolving technologies.
Strong understanding of child development principles and the ability to create programs that are both educational and engaging for young children.
Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with children, families, educators, community partners, and donors.
Creative thinker with a passion for play-based learning and early childhood education.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Availability to work weekends and occasional evenings as needed.
HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and any relevant work samples to kroddy@flintchildrensmuseum.org.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The Flint Children’s Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex - including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
