| Job Title | Director of Programs and Visitor Experience |
| Reports To | Executive Director |
| Employment Dates | Year-round, full time; flexible seasonal hours available |
| Status | Exempt |
| Salary | $22-$24/hour, plus a comprehensive benefits package |
We are not currently accepting application for this position.
Job Purpose
The Director of Programs and Visitor Experience is responsible for shaping the overall visitor experience at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Strategic and thoughtful, this position advocates for and implements new and innovative ideas for audience engagement and programming. Across all points of public access and onsite engagement, the goal of the Director of Programs and Visitor Experience is to help visitors have a meaningful connection with the history, archaeology, and ecology of Lake Champlain. This position supervises on-site staff and volunteers.
The position designs and/or oversees exhibit and replica boat interpretation, onsite demonstrations, courses and workshops, on-water excursions, weekend events, and volunteer docent programming. Additionally, the Director of Programs and Visitor Experience establishes annual goals and recommendations based on programs to date, audience attendance, challenges, and formal and informal evaluations.
This position is a key member of the senior leadership team, with a focus on creating welcoming, meaningful two-way relationships between Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and the audiences we serve. This role will also collaborate with several teams across the museum including working with the Development team to support fundraising for visitor programs and member engagement at the museum; with the Education and Champlain Longboats teams to optimize school field trips, boat building, and team building programs; with the Marketing team to increase visibility, attendance, and support for programs and visitor experience; with the Facilities Director to support visitor experience efforts; and with the Business Manager to manage grant funding and financial management.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop a strategy and plan for on-site visitor experiences including live demonstrations and tours, ticketed weekend events and excursions, and self-guided tours with goal of maximizing visitor and community uses of the museum
- Develop and execute the museum’s overall visitor experience plan, including visitor orientation, store experience, and exhibit experiences
- Hire and train seasonal staff and volunteers for visitor interpretation, demonstrations, tours, and programs
- Establish annual goals and recommendations based on programs to date, audience attendance, challenges, and formal and informal evaluations
- Create, plan, and oversee courses and workshops including blacksmithing, metal arts, and glass blowing, as well as developing new courses and workshop content.
- Create and monitor program budgets, assess return on investment
- Plan and produce signature and special events
- Create exhibit and site interpretation for new and existing exhibits and replica boats, as part of exhibit teams and as exhibit team lead
- Collaborate with Education and Champlain Longboats teams to create engaging school visit programs including field trips, on-water experiences, and team-building programs
- Collaborate with the Business Manager to manage grant funding and act as back up for basic finance tasks
Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes
- 5 plus years’ experience working in a visitor-facing position at a museum
- Culturally competent with knowledge and proven proficiency discussing and demonstrating commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and equity
- Experience planning museum public programs, demonstrations, or hands-on experiences, including managing program and grant budgets and finances
- Experience hiring and training staff and volunteers in interpretation
- Experience working at a maritime or history museum preferred but not required
- Undergraduate degree in education, history, archaeology, or a related field
- Advanced degree in museum studies, museum education, public history, or related field preferred but not required
- Passionate about engaging the public in complex conversations about history
- Highly organized and detail-oriented
- Able to multi-task and navigate multiple deadlines and work schedules
- Flexible and able to adapt to new opportunities
- Comfortable with public speaking and leading group activities
- Excellent research, writing, and storytelling skills
- Collaborative and communicative
- Availability for some weekend and evening work
- Experience with and/or interest in boats and navigation, with on-water experience preferred
- Familiarity with and/or enthusiasm to learn about Lake Champlain, its history, and its future
Working Conditions
- This position may include onsite, offsite, and on water work.
- Work outside will occur in all weather conditions and may include evening and weekend hours
How to Apply:
We are not currently accepting application for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employment: Lake Champlain Maritime Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. The Museum prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.