Program and Gallery Manager (Virginia Discovery Museum, USA)

The Virginia Discovery Museum is a dynamic, not-for-profit children’s museum located on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, Virginia. The VDM mission is "to bring young children and families together to engage minds, excite imaginations and explore the world around them.” There are seven full-time and three part-time staff members with an annual budget of approximately $450,000. Admission exceeds more than 55,000 visitors a year, and the Museum is open 6 days a week (Tuesday-Sunday) including days when schools are closed due to snow.


REPORTING
The Program and Gallery Manager (PGM) reports to the Director of Operations.

JOB DESCRIPTION
• The PGM is responsible for the development and implementation of programs (both onsite and offsite) that reflect the Museum’s mission and hands-on approach to learning. Existing onsite programs include weekly free and/or paid drop-in programs, field trip visitors, birthday parties, summer mini-camps, teacher workday programs, Halloween Party, Salvation Army Angel Tree, annual shoe drive, and date-night drop off program. Existing offsite programs include KidVention (a community-wide free science event), participation in the Virginia Film Festival Family Day and other community events, classroom presentations, and STARLAB (our portable planetarium).
• The PGM maintains program-related statistics and monitors related expenditures. The PGM also arranges long-term planning and reviews to continually enhance programs, parties and field trips by evaluating revenue possibilities, updating procedures, creating and implementing surveys and other means of retrieving feedback about programs, as well as developing fresh programming.
• The PGM serves as the contact person and lead supervisor for the Museum interns and assistants, for all special events and off-site programming, and for the Museum’s cleaning service.
• The PGM is an important member of the Education Staff, with whom he/she meets on a regular basis to address issues regarding exhibits, programs, the visitor experience, safety and policies.
• The PGM prepares the Museum (on a daily basis) for visitors, which includes opening and closing the register, cleaning, stocking and maintaining exhibits, purchasing and maintaining supplies. The PGM works one weekend day, some evenings, and around the holidays.


JOB QUALIFICATIONS
o Excellent problem-solving skills, flexibility, and work ethic.
o Superior organizational skills and the ability to engage and support volunteers.
o Experience with programming for pre-school and elementary age children.
o 1-2 years’ experience working in a managerial position, and have ability to work with limited supervision.
o Knowledge of the Charlottesville community and ability to seek and nurture partnerships.
o Customer service experience and effective interpersonal skills with diverse audiences.
o Accurate record keeping skills (schedules, utilization, finances).
o Computer literacy.
o Strength to load and transport STARLAB, our portable planetarium.
o Access to a vehicle.
o Ability to work around the holidays and one weekend day per week.
o Serious applicants are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the Museum’s programs and setting.

BENEFITS
• Sick and annual leave
• Fully paid health care (Anthem) after six-month probationary period.
• Paid parking
• Museum membership
• $23,000 – $25,000 salary

To apply, please email cover letter and résumé or mail to:
Director of Operations, Virginia Discovery Museum, PO Box 1128, Charlottesville, VA 22902. No telephone inquiries. EOE
www.vadm.org
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