Deputy Director, Education and Public Engagement
Museum Summary
Plimoth Patuxet Museums is a living history museum of the 17th-century that provides engaging and experiential outdoor and indoor learning environments on its main campus, and at Mayflower II on Plymouth’s waterfront, and at the Plimoth Grist Mill. Our permanent exhibits tell the complex and interwoven stories of two distinct cultures - English and Wampanoag.
Operating on a remarkable property overlooking Cape Cod Bay, Plimoth Patuxet brings the story of the United States’ early foundation to life for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year since its founding in 1947. The main exhibits are enhanced with an exciting array of special events, public programs and workshops that offer a rich and diverse exploration of the 17th-century.
Plimoth Patuxet Museums Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Deputy Director, Education and Public Engagement (DDEPE) is a member of the senior management team. The DDEPE shapes the strategic direction for the department and is responsible for staffing, developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating the Museum’s living history sites programming and exhibits.
This is a position for an experienced, creative and energetic manager who will provide comprehensive leadership for the Education/Public Engagement department. In this interesting, fast-paced and diverse role you will ensure that departmental goals and work plans are achieved and that daily operations on the sites run smoothly. You will work with the senior management and sites management teams to help formulate and articulate the vision, goals, and priorities for the department.
This position requires superb communication and organizational skills with demonstrated experience in managing, planning, and implementing a variety of activities and programs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure a consistently high quality experience for all of our guests based on the Museum’s philosophy of service.
Oversee the Museum’s 17th- Century English Village, Historic Patuxet Homesite, Mayflower II, Plimoth Grist Mill, and Craft Center exhibits.
Maintain a welcoming and inclusive workplace environment that fosters a sense of community.
Supervise the development and implementation of on-site and outreach programs, guided tours, and other special programs.
Communicate institutional and departmental goals to staff and ensure they have the tools, training and materials to accomplish the goals and fulfill the museum’s educational mission.
Responsible for interviewing, hiring, and evaluating staff. Assign and direct work; provide orientation and training for employees.
Oversee Hornblower House for the residence of interns and fellows.
Collaborate with the Group Sales office on education outreach programs.
Work with Marketing as needed on promotional materials, website copy, and A/V assets.
With the Development office, help secure grants and other funding for key projects
Prepare and maintain the annual departmental budget.
Monitor and evaluate all new programs to ensure guest satisfaction.
Help to move the organization forward both programmatically and as a healthy, productive workplace and prominent cultural institution with a national and international reputation for excellence.
This description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of key responsibilities of the job as it is at present, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description may be reviewed by management at any time either to ensure that it relates to the job currently being performed, or to incorporate changes. Management reserves the right to change a job description; and if/when doing so will discuss with the employee so that any changes are understood by the employee.
Required Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Excellent communication skills (writing and speaking). Fluent in English.
Ability to communicate well with a wide range of people from different cultural and social backgrounds, and people of varying ages, language skills and physical abilities.
Comfortable and skilled at working in a highly collaborative team environment with staff and volunteers at all levels of the organization.
Ability to work independently, without direct supervision.
Ability to work safely. Possess some degree of dexterity.
Capacity to analyze, synthesize and discuss varied primary and secondary historical sources, both documentary and material.
Engaging personality for sharing the Museum’s comprehensive themes and content in ways that inform and entertain informal learners.
Dependability, resilience, patience, and imperturbability.
Education and Experience
BA/BS required, preferably in the Humanities or Education. Advanced degree preferred.
Minimum 5 years’ experience and verifiable success in managing an organization or a large department is required; preferably in a museum or other educational/cultural non-profit.
Demonstrated experience and success in creating educational and engaging experiences for guests, and mentoring/providing training for staff.
Understanding of the spectrum of learning styles would be helpful as will the ability to apply this knowledge in interactions with Museum guests, staff, interns and students.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Duties may include:
Work sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
Should be capable of bending; able to lift and move objects up to 20 pounds.
Should be able to drive or ride in vehicles for extended periods.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While the offices are climate controlled, the outdoor sites (where this work is often carried out) have a wide variety of temperatures and weather conditions ranging from cold to hot and humid, rainy, snowy, etc.
Work may be performed in dusty and smoky environments, in poorly lit areas, near open fires, and in cramped and crowded places.
The noise level in the workplace varies from quiet to loud.
Additional Requirements
The Museum is open 7 days a week April through the end of November. You must be available to work some Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, including Thanksgiving Day. Typical hours are generally 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Flexibility in work hours and days off is required. This position may require working some evening or early morning hours.
Position Type and Salary
- Full-time, year-round
- $80,000 - $85,000 annually
Core Commitments
Whether part-time or full-time, year-round or seasonal, all staff and volunteers at Plimoth Patuxet advance the Museum’s educational mission and strategic goals. They uphold the Museum’s core values and principles in their work and in all of their interactions with the public and with coworkers. This commitment helps to ensure that Plimoth Patuxet’s reputation for excellence is maintained and that, as stewards of the Museum, we are helping to create a relevant and sustainable future for Plimoth Patuxet Museums. The core principles that guide us in our work are:
Safety and Comfort
Compassionate Customer Experience
Professional Excellence
Personal Accountability
Advance a Culture of Philanthropy
Teamwork
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a PDF file of your resume, and cover letter to apply@plimoth.org, or by submitting them by US mail to the following address:
Plimoth Patuxet Museums
Attn: Human Resources
137 Warren Avenue
Plymouth, MA 02360