Director of Programs and Education
Position Summary:
The Director of Programs and Education leads the department as a collaborative, experienced, and team-oriented supervisor. Working with the Executive Director, this position will build an innovative, compelling, and inclusive focus on community engagement, students, educators, and visitors of all ages. They will build a team of guides and educators to help them execute the work of the department. The Director of Programs and Education will create and implement a vision for the department in line with the Reher Center’s mission to preserve and interpret our historic bakery site and honor its legacy by amplifying Kingston and Hudson Valley immigrant voices and contributions, past and present. The Director of Programs and Education is responsible for developing, planning, implementing, and monitoring the overall objectives, policies, and procedures for Reher Center's education program, public programs, and community outreach, while ensuring they support organizational strategy. This position requires periodic teaching in local schools, online, or at the Center.
The Director of Programs and Education will provide staff coaching, encourage staff collaboration, expect and model exceptional performance, and manage all resources cost-effectively. By providing visionary and research-directed interpretation of programmatic spaces at the Reher Center, the Director of Programs and Education will set high standards of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and inclusivity. This position requires a leader to oversee, and manage the department with empathy, self-awareness, and high emotional intelligence.
Responsibilities:
- Direct, research, and lead interpretation for all educational programming for the Reher Center in collaboration with the Reher team
- Research and write program and education resources including, but not limited to, tour scripts and K-12 curriculum
- Manage, train, and onboard new staff in the Programs and Education Department
- This position leads the Education Committee and attends Program Committee meetings
- Research the viability of grant opportunities for programs and education and participate in the application process
- Provide materials and information to the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for active promotion of the Center’s educational programming
Education:
- Develop and oversee the implementation of the Center’s K-12 education program
- Create and execute a plan for all educational programming including, but not limited to bakery and walking tours, public programs, and K-12 curriculum; identify connections with state and local curriculum
- Manage the Education and Public Programs staff (including tour guides and visitor experience staff)
- As appropriate, develop and implement educational programs and relationships with higher ed institutions (e.g. local colleges, museum education programs, and trade schools)
- Submit an annual budget for the Center’s Education Program and manage all related expenses
Community Engagement
- Develop an annual plan for community outreach and effective partnerships
- Act as a representative of the Reher Center at community events and to donors and other stakeholders
- Build and maintain relationships with schools, community organizations, and stakeholders
- Build and maintain relationships with other cultural and community organizations and local community education organizations
Programs:
- Provide leadership for public program development: oversee the research, planning, production, and execution of an engaging range of public and ticketed programs
- Develop pedagogy and programmatic strategies to support engagement with our collection, site interpretation, and exhibitions
- Coordinate and oversee the execution of both in-person and virtual events, including, but not limited to, creating program outlines, run-of-show plans, project calendars, and timelines
- Provide information for marketing and publicity to promote special events and programs
- Submit an annual budget for public programs and manage all related expenses
Evaluation and Reporting
- Design evaluation strategies to measure program effectiveness
- Apply feedback and data learning to inform program development and improvement
- Ensure educational and public programs meet grant deliverables and provide information needed for grant reporting
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree is required; an advanced degree in history, education, museum studies or a related field is preferred
- 5+ years experience with related roles in education and programming
- 3+ years experience in a management and leadership role
- Ability to interpret the Reher historic bakery and collections and communicate knowledge about it in a manner relevant to the distinct audiences
- Ability to engage and interpret scholarly research in the fields of historic sites, museum education, and informal learning
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, cross-cultural competence, professionalism, and a demonstrated ability to work individually and in a team environment
- Demonstrated ability to comfortably and respectfully work alongside colleagues at all levels and to foster an environment of curiosity, care, and excellence
- Impeccable tact and judgment and a high level of professional integrity; discretion in handling confidential materials and situations
- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate opportunities into actionable plans
Work Context and Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. and grasp objects
- Ability to move around the Reher Center’s historic bakery and gallery space, as well as visit off-site locations that may not be ADA accessible
- The Reher Center has steps requiring the utilization of stairs
- Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time
- Contact with others in-person, over zoom, and via email and telephone is necessary
