Head of Education

For 45 years, Kidspace Children’s Museum has been a welcoming place for exploration and discovery, serving millions of children and their families. Join a team that creates hands-on play and learning experiences that are relevant, joyful, inspiring, and that involve guests in their own process of discovery. Kidspace is an equal opportunity employer and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to building a culture of play on a foundation of anti-racist policies and practices.

The Director of Education leads a creative, adaptable, and mission-driven department that is at the core of delivering our educational content in an informal, play-based setting. This leadership position is responsible for:
1) Developing and implementing educational programming through public programs, school and group programs, and seasonal and evergeen activations onsite and in the community,
2) Driving key programmatic initiatives and experiences for the museum, and
3) Working collaboratively across the organization and with external partners to integrate play-based strategies, knowledge, and principles designed to spark curiosity, encourage agency, and deepen social attachments.

This is a full-time, exempt position. Position is on-site with some flexibility. Kidspace is located in Pasadena, CA.

Provide strategy and guidance to the Play & Learning team. Lead annual planning,determine content themes, create program frameworks, manage assessments, and ensure work aligns with museum values, vision, and guiding principles.

Lead complex cross-team initiatives with clearly defined themes, measurable objectives, excellent project management, and well-articulated play strategies.

Manage four key program areas/teams:
Public Programs;
Educational Programs, including camps, field trips, outreach, and scout programs;
Seasonal Activations including thematic daily play activations;
Evergeen programs and evaluation, including early childhood programming and exhibit-centered activations, staff training, and assessments.

Collaborate with internal and external partners and leverage DEAI principles to engage children and their adults in a state of play. Develop knowledge of – and focus on – the needs of LMI families, children in the foster system, children with medical challenges, and Title 1 schools.

Elevate staff knowledge of early learning, child development, and play strategies through focused training plans and identifying professional development opportunities.

Identify and implement process improvements in areas including program planning, training, execution, and assessment.

Build and leverage relationships with partners to inform and enhance museum programming, conduct research, establish benchmarks, produce community insights, and measure results. Actively manage early learning partnerships and represent the museum in City of Pasadena Early Childhood Hub collaborations.

Prepare annual programs budget forPlay & Learning,schedule expenditures, analyze variances, and oversee spending and trackingtrends for business forecasting.

Actively contribute to our culture of inclusivity, welcome, collaboration, and play.

Perform other duties as assigned.

• Leads high-level YOY planning including vision, targets, resources, and outcomes
• Actively manages budget including targets for growth
• Recommends new initiatives and enhancements that deliver on institutional mission and vision
• Consistently reviews team structure and talent and implements strategies, processes, and guidelines to optimize performance
• Regularly seeks and gives constructive feedback
• Actively serves as part of the POSM (Proxy On-Site Manager) team
• 7-10 years managerial experience in an educational setting
• Knowledge of informal learning, early childhood development and program practices required; knowledge or experience in play a plus.
• Ability to manage and track several projects simultaneously.
• Experience leading a team and collaborating with key partners to advance shared objectives
• Previous experience using email, Internet, Windows, Microsoft Office and computer systems
• Outstanding Proficiency in oral and written English language communication
• Bachelor’s Degree in related area or equivalent field, Masters preferred