School & Group Programs Manager

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

Position Summary:

The Learning Experience Manager: School & Group Programs is a manager in the Learning Experience department. This position leads the development, coordination, and delivery of joyful, impactful learning experiences for children ages 2–12 who visit Imagine Children’s Museum as part of a school or group or participates in its programming offsite at a community location. This role oversees a team of educators (Discovery Guides and Leads), the School and Group Programs Coordinator and manages team schedules, builds relationships with school educators and community partners, and ensures that every group enjoys a welcoming, meaningful, and play-filled experience that supports classroom learning and learner’s growth. This managerial position combines educational leadership, operational coordination, and a spirit of curiosity and delight to guide a high-functioning, child-centered team.

Essential Functions and Major Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Development

• Oversee design and implementation of all school and group learning experiences, ensuring they are developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with learning standards.
• Lead updates and refinements of program content based on educator feedback, trends, and strategic priorities.
• Champion experiential, inquiry-based learning that reflects the museum’s playful and imaginative approach.
• In collaboration with the Chief Experience Officer (CXO,) identify areas for targeted program growth, including opportunities for revenue-generating programs.
• As assigned by CXO, develop and revise curriculum to meet evolving needs of those served through programming and drive interest in program participation.
• With CXO oversight, work to add revenue-generating programs that contribute to the Museum’s annual growth goals and lay the foundation for future expansion in programming.
• Contribute to Museum-wide projects and initiatives as assigned.
• Collaborate with the other Learning Experience Manager to align learning experiences across the department.

Team Supervision & Support

• Recruit, train, supervise, and support Discovery Guides and Senior Discovery Guides.
• Foster a collaborative, values-driven team culture where curiosity, play, and professional growth thrive.
• Supervise and support the team of Discovery Guides as they perform their daily teaching responsibilities.
• Be available to teach programming if department schedule requires coverage with advance or short notice.
• Keeping track of educator’s scheduled working time to ensure they are effectively and efficiently using their working time to advance the department’s goals through teaching assignments, related preparation, and other projects as assigned by their manager.
• Address day-to-day staff issues and concerns, bringing ongoing or unresolved issues to the CXO.
• Work with the School and Group Programs Coordinator to place educators in one-time or ongoing teaching assignments and post work schedules.
• Attentive monitoring of educators’ hours and timekeeping accuracy as required for payroll and grants; correct and sign off on timesheets and submit to Payroll.
• Provide regular feedback, mentoring, and performance reviews to support educator development.

Evaluation & Relationship Building

• Participate in the administration of surveys to parents/caregivers, students, or other stakeholders in Museum programming.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local educators, schools, and community partners and notify CXO of developing relationships.
• Represent the museum at education-based events and meetings as needed, notifying CXO of these opportunities before attending.

Requirements:

Position Requirements:

• Ability to manage a staff of educators with diverse backgrounds and experience levels.
• Ability to handle complex and overlapping scheduling demands and assign staff accordingly.
• Ability to create and present an engaging learning experience.
• Belief in the importance of assisting a child's learning through hands-on discovery, creativity, imagination and exploration.
• Curiosity, love of learning and enthusiasm for engaging with STEAM concepts.
• Ability to project a professional demeanor and a positive image that is consistent with Imagine’s vision and values.
• Strong ability to engage students, parents and teachers in lessons, applying appropriate classroom management techniques as needed.
• Willingness to learn and understand Imagine's curriculum and resources as provided through training at Imagine.
• Ability to be flexible and work in an evolving environment.
• Ability to work independently but also as a committed team player.
• Create an environment where positive thinking and attitudes are valued and expected.
• Must have transportation, valid driver's license and insurance as prescribed by Museum policy.
• Must be able to complete basic first aid training.
• Commitment to Imagine Children’s Museum Core Values.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in education and/or sufficient experience working in a informal or non-formal classroom learning environment.
• 2+ years of experience in education program management, museum education, or a related role. Experience should be with managing a diverse team of informal educators.
• Experience working with children ages 2-12.
• Deep knowledge of child development and learning strategies for ages 2–12.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with attention to detail and a flexible mindset.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive teaching practices.
• Background in education, museum studies, child development, or related field preferred.
• Familiarity with Washington State Early Childhood and K–8 learning standards and classroom environments preferred.
• Bilingual or multilingual a plus.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Senior Discovery Guide, Discovery Guides, School & Group Programs Coordinator, Discovery Guide Assistant, and volunteers.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in a typical interactive exhibit environment with moderate noise levels.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• High level of public contact.
• Regularly required to stand and walk for long periods of time, climb ladders and stairs.
• Occasionally lift and or move up to 30 pounds.
• Speak and hear sufficiently to communicate clearly in person, over the telephone, and in small groups.
• Mental stamina for problem solving and dealing with stressful situations; prioritizing multiple tasks; interpreting and applying oral/written instructions.
• Ability to bend, carry, reach to the side, front and overhead, push, pull, walk, stand, twist and squat, grab, squeeze are repetitive motions required of the position.
• Occasionally exposed to outdoor elements including high and low temperatures, precipitation, and wind.
• Regularly exposed to moderate noise in and around exhibits.
• Occasionally exposed to small and/or enclosed spaces.

This is a full-time position, onsite in Everett. The pay is $32-34 an hour depending on experience.

Benefits: All full-time employees receive accrued sick time, vacation time, anniversary appreciation day, medical/vision/dental insurance, Life AD&D, FSA, IRA, EAP, free museum membership, discounts, and other museum perks!