Director of Public Engagement and Learning

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Program Management Provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for all public engagement, educational, and learning initiatives. Develop and implement a comprehensive learning strategy that advances APAC’s mission and expands audience engagement. Advise the Director on education, public programming, audience engagement, and learning-related initiatives. Lead the planning, development, execution, and evaluation of educational and public-facing programs for diverse audiences. Identify and pursue innovative opportunities to engage learners in formal, informal, and out-of-school learning environments. Contribute to the development and implementation of long-range strategic plans for education and public engagement. Education & Learning Content Development Design and oversee culturally relevant, community-responsive, and research-based educational programs that explore AANHPI history, culture, and lived experiences. Develop learning experiences and resources for PreK-12 students, educators, families, and general audiences. Ensure educational content, resources, and outreach efforts are aligned with organizational goals and accessible to diverse audiences. Serve as the organization's lead expert on educational theory, curriculum development, learning standards, and museum-based pedagogy. Research emerging trends and best practices in museum education, informal learning, and community-based engagement to enhance programs and visitor experiences. Analyze audience data, visitor feedback, and program evaluation results to inform program development and continuous improvement. Exhibition & Audience Engagement Collaborate with curators, designers, media specialists, and exhibition teams to incorporate educational and interpretive components into exhibitions. Develop family-focused, school-centered, and public programs that deepen engagement with exhibition content. Oversee the successful delivery of educational projects, including K-12 programs, educator professional development, gallery tours, digital learning initiatives, public programs, and community convenings. Ensure educational offerings create meaningful, engaging, and impactful learning experiences for visitors of all ages. Community Partnerships & External Relations Build and maintain strategic partnerships with schools, community organizations, cultural institutions, and public and private sector stakeholders. Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement data-driven community outreach strategies that expand local and national engagement. Engage community organizations to identify needs, strengthen relationships, and develop collaborative educational initiatives. Represent APAC in professional associations, committees, working groups, public forums, and high-level negotiations. Serve as a key ambassador for APAC's educational mission and community engagement efforts. Team Leadership & Operational Excellence Lead, mentor, and support education and engagement staff, ensuring a high level of pedagogical expertise and visitor-centered program design. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning within the team. Establish performance goals, monitor program outcomes, and ensure timely execution of initiatives. Identify operational challenges and implement effective solutions to achieve strategic objectives. Financial Management & Resource Development Develop, manage, and monitor budgets for educational and public engagement programs. Ensure effective allocation of resources and alignment of expenditures with organizational priorities and program goals. Collaborate with Advancement staff to identify funding opportunities and support fundraising initiatives. Contribute to donor cultivation and stewardship efforts by demonstrating program impact and outcomes. Prepare grant reports, donor updates, and program summaries for funding organizations and stakeholders. Monitor program performance, assess risks, and implement corrective actions to ensure successful outcomes and responsible stewardship of resources. Education and Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university on a related field, and/or 8-10 years of related experience (described below); or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of 8 years of experience in museum interpretation, education, or public programming Demonstrated leadership and project management skills, particularly in leading cross-functional teams Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences Expert knowledge of the development of programs on current and relevant issues that relate to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Knowledge of and experience working with AANHPI communities, organizations, and stakeholders in the United States, specifically on education-related initiatives. Experience managing budgets and staff, ensuring efficient and effective program delivery Demonstrated ability to provide management oversight, leadership, and direction with at least five years of supervisory experience, including experience creating and managing a budget Demonstrated experience, ability, and desire to collaborate with colleagues from multiple departments and disciplines. A data centric mindset as demonstrated by the understanding and use of audience data to inform decision making Experience managing large scale public engagements Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package. Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins. Relocation expenses are not paid. The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: #J-18808-Ljbffr National Museum of Wildlife Art