Job Title: Assistant Director of Exhibits, Experience and Programming

Organization: G&A Museum Operations Mantua LLC, operating at the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University in Mantua Township, NJ 

Position Overview: The Assistant Director of Exhibits, Experiences, and Programming serves serves as a key leader within the Exhibits, Experiences, and Programming Department and supports the Director of Exhibits, Experiences, and Programming (DEEP) in the day-to-day management and operation of the department and provides day-to-day leadership for the Exhibits, Experiences, and Programming team. This position is responsible for the operational management and execution of the department’s programs, experiences, and learning initiatives, allowing the DEEP to focus on institutional strategy, new initiatives, grant development, partnerships, and long-range planning.

The Assistant Director will play a critical role in developing and delivering a distinctive portfolio of educational offerings, visitor experiences, and public programs that bring the story of Edelman Fossil Park to life.

A significant priority of the position will be supporting the development and ongoing enhancement of a comprehensive K-12 STEM learning program that uses the fossil quarry, museum collections, scientific research, and the unique story of the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum to create engaging, standards-aligned learning experiences for students and teachers.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, collaboration, communication, and project management skills. They will be able to translate strategy into exceptional day-to-day execution while fostering a culture of creativity, curiosity, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Major Tasks and Responsibilities:

Department Leadership & Daily Operations

• Serve as the DEEP’s primary operational partner and provide day-to-day leadership for the Exhibits, Experiences, and Programming team.
• Supervise, manage, coach, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Establish priorities, manage workloads, coordinate staffing, and ensure appropriate coverage across programs and visitor experiences.
• Serve as the first point of escalation for staff, program, and visitor issues and keep the DEEP informed of significant priorities, risks, challenges, and outcomes.
• Ensure programs, experiences, and initiatives are delivered on time, within budget, and to a consistently high standard of quality, safety, accessibility, and visitor experience.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and exceptional visitor service.

K–12 STEM Learning

• In partnership with the DEEP and Education Team, coordinate the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive K–12 STEM learning portfolio, including school field trips, fossil digs, classroom outreach, virtual programs, camps, scouting programs, and family learning.  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with school districts, educators, county and state education organizations, Rowan University, and community partners.
• Develop partnerships that expand access to the museum’s educational programs, with particular attention to Title I schools and historically underserved communities.
• Collaborate with museum scientists and researchers to incorporate current research and discoveries from the fossil park into authentic, hands-on learning experiences.
• Provide the DEEP with program data, outcomes, and supporting materials necessary to continuously improve programs, pursue grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and fee-for-service opportunities.
• Support initiatives that enhance the visibility, accessibility, and impact of the museum's STEM education offerings

Exhibits, Experiences & Programming

• Support the development and execution of a year-round portfolio of interpretive experiences, public programs, events, and seasonal activities. Through the following:
  • Help create compelling visitor experiences that connect guests to the science, history, biodiversity, and story of the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum.
  • Collaborate with museum leadership, scientists, educators, and other departments to translate scientific content into engaging experiences for diverse audiences.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen visitor engagement, increase participation, and generate revenue.
• Ensure programs and experiences are inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and appropriate for a broad range of ages and audiences.
• Introduce opportunities for moments of wonder, surprise, and discovery throughout the visitor experience. 

Project & Operational Management

• Oversee the management of program-related purchasing, supplies, equipment, and vendor relationships ensuring programs are delivered within approved budgets.
• Work with staff to develop project timelines, establish deliverables, and ensure projects remain on schedule.
• Identify operational efficiencies and opportunities to improve the quality and sustainability of department programs.
• Ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place for school visits, youth programs, child protection, animal interactions, outdoor activities, and other specialized programming.
• Foster a collaborative work environment that encourages employee engagement, professional development, and continuous improvement.

Experience / Qualifications / Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in education, science, museum studies, informal learning, communications, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• Seven (7) or more years of progressive experience in museum education, informal science education, programming, visitor experience, exhibitions, science centers, schools, cultural institutions, or a related field.
• At least three (3) years of experience supervising and developing staff.
• Must successfully complete all required pre-employment screenings, including criminal background and child abuse clearance checks, as permitted by applicable law.
• Demonstrated experience developing, managing, and evaluating K–12 STEM or informal learning programs.
• Strong understanding of educational standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards and/or New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs, projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong leadership, organizational, scheduling, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with educators, administrators, staff, donors, community partners, and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships and partnerships with schools, community organizations, educational institutions, and other external stakeholders.
• Strong commitment to creating engaging, inclusive, and accessible experiences for diverse audiences.
• Ability to work outdoors and in a variety of weather conditions.
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
• Ability to travel occasionally for meetings, conferences, school outreach, and professional development.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel as needed to meet the requirements of the position.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in education, science education, museum education, informal learning, museum studies, or a related field or commensurate years of experience.
• Experience working in a science museum, natural history museum, science center, or similar institution.
• Experience developing exhibitions, interpretive experiences, or visitor engagement initiatives.
• Experience with program evaluation, audience research, learning analytics, or assessment.
• Experience supervising or managing live-animal programs.
• Experience developing earned-revenue programs, fee-for-service educational programs, or other revenue-generating initiatives.
• Experience developing partnerships with colleges and universities.
• Familiarity with grant-funded educational programs and reporting requirements.

Work Setting:
 

• Museum headquarters is located within the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum in Mantua Township, New Jersey.
• This is a full-time, exempt, on-site position with G&A Museum Operations Mantua LLC.
• The position requires regular interaction with staff, visitors, volunteers, educators, community partners, and external stakeholders.
• The role may require work during evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events based on operational needs.
• The position requires work in both indoor and outdoor environments and may involve exposure to varying weather conditions

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move throughout museum facilities and outdoor program areas.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend, reach, and perform other physical activities associated with museum operations and educational programming.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and move materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and technology.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Start Date: ASAP 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

G&A Museum Operations Mantua LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.