Job Title:  VP of Education & Experience  

Reports to: CEO

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000 per year

Benefits: 401k with company match up to 3%, Paid Time Off (PTO) including holidays

Date Updated: February 13, 2025

Our Mission

Great River Children’s Museum shines a bright light on the power of play to spark children’s learning, strengthen families, and build community connections. Its dynamic, interactive environments and

experiences are a gateway to the world and its people for children and families of all

backgrounds.

Our Values

As the distinctive institution championing play and serving children and their caring adults in Central Minnesota, GRCM believes it can contribute to the region’s vitality by offering a high-quality space for creativity, exploration, and discovery. We will take an active role in transforming our community at large by leading with children, communicating about play and the importance of play, and engaging with regional issues around cultural connection. We will provide an inclusive environment that promotes the healthy development of young minds through play. 

Position Overview:

Great River Children's Museum is seeking a dynamic and passionate Vice President of Education & Experience (VP of Education & Experience) to lead the design and delivery of a memorable and enriching experience for all visitors, primarily children aged birth to 10 years and their caring adults. This individual will be responsible for developing and enhancing exhibits, programs, and services that meet the needs of our community, ensuring that the museum is a welcoming, safe, and playful environment for all who visit.

Reporting to the CEO and collaborating with museum leadership, the VP of Education & Experience will take ownership of creating and nurturing community relationships to identify visitor needs, build impactful partnerships, and craft engaging, educational, and fun programs. This position requires a highly motivated leader with strong communication skills, a deep understanding of early childhood development, and a passion for ensuring that children and their caregivers have a joyful, interactive experience at the museum.

This role will require flexibility and the ability to work evenings and weekends to oversee museum events, programs, and special activities.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Engagement & Program Development: 

• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, businesses, and organizations to identify the needs and desires of local families and children.
• Develop and implement new programs and experiences that align with the museum’s mission and respond to community feedback, including indoor and outdoor programming as well as programming involving food items and the use of standard kitchen utensils and small appliances.
• Create collaborative program partnerships with local schools, libraries, nonprofits, and other organizations to enhance offerings for families.
• Maintain oversight of and responsibility for program registration and volunteer information in GRCM’s CRM database.

Team Leadership & Program Staff Support: 

• Hire, train, and support a dedicated program team that delivers exceptional experiences to museum guests.
• Foster a positive and creative team environment that encourages professional development and aligns with museum values.
• Develop and manage a volunteer program that provides a platform for community members to be involved in programming at the museum.
• Recruit volunteers to share skills, experiences, trades, crafts, and hobbies with visitors.

Visitor Experience & Communication: 

• Ensure that all museum visitors (families, caregivers, and children) have a safe, engaging, and memorable experience.
• Work with the marketing and communications team to ensure clear, effective communication of programs, events, and updates to the community.
• Develop and implement feedback mechanisms to continuously improve visitor experience based on input from families and staff.

Leadership & Collaboration: 

• Collaborate closely with museum leadership, including the CEO, to implement strategic goals and initiatives that drive museum attendance and engagement.
• Provide regular reports on the performance of programs and visitor feedback to the Board of Directors and other key stakeholders.

Budget & Resource Management: 

• Build and manage budgets related to programs, ensuring the efficient use of resources and adherence to financial guidelines.
• Work to find funding sources for new programs through grants, sponsorships, and partnerships.
• Work closely with leadership team, especially VP of Development, to write, manage, and secure grant funds.

Qualifications:

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience developing programs, activities, or play-based curriculum and experiences for children birth to the age of 10.
• Proven experience managing a team, including hiring, training, and performance management.
• Demonstrated success in building relationships with community stakeholders, partners, and organizations.
• A background in hospitality or work in a fast-paced nonprofit environment is a plus.
• Grant writing, grant management and reporting experience is preferred.
• Customer Resource Management software experience is a plus.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and inspire staff, guests, and community partners.
• Knowledge of early childhood development and the ability to design age-appropriate, fun, and educational experiences that can also engage caregivers and enhance the child-caregiver relationship.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with operational detail and ensure smooth implementation of programs.
• Proficient in using digital tools for communication, program management, and reporting.
• Problem-solving mindset and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Education & Certifications:

• A degree in early childhood education, nonprofit management, hospitality, or a related field is preferred.
• Equivalent experience will be considered in lieu of formal education.

Additional Requirements:

• Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed to oversee events, programs, and special museum activities.

Physical Demands

• This role will require both sedentary work and movement about the museum; individuals in this role may occasionally be asked to lift and carry items weighing up to 40 lbs. 

Application Instructions:

To apply for the position of Vice President of Education & Experience, please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your qualifications, and at least three references through our website: greatrivercm.org/get-involved/

About Great River Children's Museum:

Great River Children's Museum is dedicated to fostering creativity, learning, and discovery for children and their families through interactive exhibits and engaging educational programming. We offer a safe, playful, and inclusive environment where children can explore the world around them, develop new skills, and discover their imaginations. Join us as we build a space for learning, growing, and experiencing the wonders of childhood.

Changes: This job description will be updated if duties and responsibilities change significantly.  Job functions are subject to modification based on business necessity.

EEO: GRCM is an equal-opportunity employer.  All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.