Office of Public Outreach Division Head

Join to apply for the Office of Public Outreach Division Head role at Space Telescope Science Institute
.

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), is NASA’s science operations center for missions including the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. STScI leads observation planning, data analysis, public engagement, and data archiving for flagship missions. Our staff spans astronomy, engineering, education, IT, communications, and administration—working together to bring space science to the world.

(Learn more about our missions
- What We Do | STScI)

Our world‑class astronomical research center is based on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus in Baltimore, Maryland. This position supports hybrid work—three days in office. Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to our local market (MD, DE, VA, PA, DC & WV). This position requires US citizenship or permanent residence in order to meet ITAR requirements.

Please ONLY use this link to submit your application:

The Division Head of the Office of Public Outreach (OPO) leads the science communication and public outreach activities for the Institute. This role sets the strategic direction for activities such as media relations, informal education programs, community outreach, and the development of products and services that support the Institute’s and NASA’s missions.

Working through OPO’s branches, the Division Head oversees planning, resource allocation, and execution of these initiatives. OPO also provides advice on communication goals and outreach needs for missions like HST, JWST, and Roman.

A key responsibility of this position is building strong relationships and negotiating at a high level with diverse internal and external stakeholders. The Division Head collaborates with Institute leadership, NASA, the astronomy community, internal and external committees, and AURA’s corporate office to align OPO’s work with Institute strategic communication objectives.

• In conjunction with NASA and STScI leadership, plans and establishes the strategic direction, general policy, scope, standards of performance, and the STScI role for each of the Office of Public Outreach functions.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining fully functioning, strategic science communication and public outreach programs, products, and services that fulfill the planned roles in support of NASA’s and the Institute’s mission.
• Through both internal and external partnerships, anticipates emerging trends and needs in strategic science communication and public outreach, and, after proper vetting, ensures new and forward‑thinking products and services are developed and implemented in a timely fashion.
• Leverages advancing technology in bringing science communication and outreach to the public and strategic stakeholders to support Mission and Institute presence.

• Proactively develops and maintains an effective partnership with NASA including the Science Mission Directorate, NASA Education Office, mission offices, etc.
• Develops and maintains role as a communication leader and advocate of the Director’s Office and Institute initiatives.
• Interacts with various and diverse astronomical customers and constituencies to gain feedback on existing products and services and gathers information to enable continuous improvement of those products and services.
• Acts as a conduit for community input and translates community needs into strategic action in support of the missions.

• Identifies the resources required to support the OPO Division function of the Institute.
• Responsible for the hiring, training, direction, and performance of this organizational unit in accordance with AURA Policies and Procedures Manual and STScI procedures. Approximate staff size is 40 exempt, nonexempt, AURA and contractor personnel.
• Administers the budget of this organizational unit. Plans, projects needs, determines allocations, approves expenditures, and ensures adequacy of the budget.

Re…