Education and Programs Manager

Overview

Education and Programs Manager
, Sumter Museum - Sumter, SC

Sumter Museum is a growing complex of sites where you can experience Sumter’s complete story. The Education and Programs Manager leads the museum’s educational initiatives, including school programs on-site, curriculum-based resources, and lifelong learning opportunities. This role develops, coordinates, and delivers engaging educational programs that support the museum’s mission and connect diverse audiences to local and regional history. The position works closely with museum staff, volunteers, educators, and community partners to ensure high-quality, mission-driven offerings.

This role leads the Education Department, which includes the Visitor Services Manager and Temple Sinai Jewish History Center Site Manager/Outreach Director, and reports to the Executive Director.

This role offers a unique opportunity to play a foundational role in shaping programs and visitor experiences for a new military museum scheduled to open in 2027
, including the development of interpretive strategies, public programs, and educational initiatives from the ground up.

Program Development & Implementation

• Plan, implement, and evaluate new and existing educational and public programs for diverse audiences, including school groups, families, adults, and lifelong learners.
• Coordinate lectures, workshops, and camps, ensuring programs align with the museum’s mission, exhibitions, and collections. Work with the Curator of Collections to develop new artifact- and exhibit-driven programming.
• Develop innovative approaches to connect the past to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) through hands-on and inquiry-based activities.
• Oversee and direct living history programs, including the museum’s tri-annual Carolina Backcountry days. Help maintain the Carolina Backcountry Homestead’s Vegetable and Herb garden with assistance from grounds staff. Work with facilities staff to keep Backcountry buildings clean and safe for visitors. Monitor costume supplies and rentals.

Educational Tours and Interpretation

• Supervise the Visitor Services Manager in coordinating group tours. Lead group tours as needed. Be familiar with and comfortable providing tours of all Sumter Museum sites.
• Possess a strong knowledge of the museum’s interpretive subject matter and themes, with emphasis on local history, military history, Jewish history, and colonial history.
• Develop educational materials related to current exhibits.
• Assist the Outreach Director with off-site programming as needed. Develop traveling trunks and other off-site resources.
• Align school programs and educational resources with South Carolina curriculum standards and best practices.

New Military Museum Programming (2027 Opening)

• Collaborate with museum leadership, curatorial staff, and community stakeholders to develop programming for the new military museum.
• Assist in creating interpretive frameworks, signature programs, and opening-year initiatives.
• Build partnerships with military organizations, veterans groups, educators, and historians.
• Support program planning related to exhibition openings, commemorations, and special events connected to military history.

• Manage program logistics, scheduling, and registrations.
• Coordinate the tracking of attendance, collection of evaluations, and preparation of reports with the Visitor Services Manager.
• Manage assigned program budgets and support fundraising initiatives as needed.
• Coordinate and train volunteers as needed for programs and tours.
• Oversee and provide support for the Temple Sinai Jewish History Center Site Manager/Outreach Director.
• Collaborate with marketing staff to promote programs through print, digital, and social media channels.
• Contribute program-related content for the museum’s website, newsletters, and promotional materials.
• Participate in museum-wide initiatives and events as part of a collaborative staff team.

• Adhere to Sumter Museum Personnel Guidelines.
• Occasionally serve as on-site staff during rentals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in…