Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement

Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement

FLSA Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has an opening for a full-time, exempt Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement position in the Education Department.

Company Overview: Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum documents and interprets the history of country music—a musical genre and culture central to the identity of the city, the state, and the nation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Museum proudly combines subject expertise, ambitious research, and preservation of an unparalleled collection with expressions of creativity in music, art, and history. The Museum collects objects and archival materials that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music and provides diverse learning opportunities through educational programs, publications, and exhibitions. The core exhibit follows the story of country music from its folk beginnings through its evolution as a commercial art form. Rotating exhibits examine a broad range of topics, from country classics to contemporary and emerging artists in American Currents: State of the Music . The Museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and many others recorded.

What We Offer for Full-Time Staff

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Options
• Competitive Pay
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Paid Holidays (13) and Floating Holidays (2)
• 401(K) with Up to 3% Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program (Free Counseling and Legal Services)
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• FREE 24/7 Downtown Parking and Transit Benefits
• Continuing Professional Offerings
• Complimentary Museum Admission (For Yourself, Family, and Friends)
• Reciprocal Partnerships with Local Venues (The Nashville Zoo, Dollywood Theme & Water Parks, National Museum of African American Music, tours at The Opry and The Ryman Auditorium, and more)
• Up to 25% Discount in Retail Stores and Onsite Restaurant Venues
• Opportunities to Attend Exhibit Openings, Concerts and Special Events
• Employee Engagement Activities and Opportunities
• FSA and Dependent Care Options
• Dog Friendly Work Environment
• Volunteering and Community Engagement Opportunities

Departmental Overview: Charged with the mission of educating varied audiences about country music, the Education Department develops programs and resources that illuminate the stories, themes, and music explored in the Museum’s galleries. Serving more than 100,000 people per year through nearly 2,000 programs, the Education Department supports students of all ages, from school groups and families who engage in hands-on learning activities to general Museum guests who experience performance presentations during their visit. A creative and curious team, the Education staff is composed of traditional and nontraditional educators, including classroom teachers, visual artists, museum field professionals and educators, music educators, and professional songwriters and musicians. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum educators share a passion for country music, popular culture, creative arts, and lifelong learning, and take a collaborative, team approach to developing and implementing dynamic educational offerings which adapt and share the content of one of America’s most visited history museums that welcomes over 1.2 million guests annually.

Position Overview: Reporting to the EVP, External Affairs, the Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement is a dynamic leader, educator, communicator, and strategic thinker who oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of the organization’s educational offerings for school and teacher; youth and family; community; and volunteer and intern populations of various ages and abilities. Overseeing a staff of 15, as well as the robust volunteer and intern program, the Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement will be a highly creative and service-focused individual with the proven ability to guide history, language arts, music, visual arts, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), and college and career readiness (CCR) instruction in traditional and nontraditional education environments. This position also oversees the Museum’s Taylor Swift Education Center, which includes multiple classroom and gallery spaces, as well as the award-winning Words & Music program.

Specific Job Duties Include

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Representing the Education Department as member of the Museum’s Senior Staff, which is composed of staff at the Senior Director level and above who guide the institution’s strategic direction and collaborate on its implementation and evaluation.
• Leading, in coordination with the EVP, External Affairs, the Museum’s Education Council, which is composed of members of the Museum’s Board of Officers and Trustees, as well as diverse community leaders in the music, education, and nonprofit spaces who support the Museum’s educational mission.
• Overseeing quarterly reporting for Education Department work, which is shared with the Education Council, Board of Officers and Trustees, Museum donors, and other stakeholders.
• Establishing a multi-year vision, general operating plans, and annual goals, objectives, and priorities for the Education Department—articulating clearly defined values, priorities, and metrics within these plans—in coordination with the EVP, External Affairs. The Senior Director will think holistically about strategic initiatives and make informed choices about program creation and enhancements.
• Leading and inspiring a talented team of 15 who guide the Museum’s educational programs’ development, implementation, and evaluation by:
• Creating a collaborative and inclusive team culture that inspires and empowers staff to execute the mission to its highest standards.
• Providing the team with clear objectives, consistent engagement, and constructive conversation that encourages excellence.
• Ensuring the design, development, and evaluation of educational programs that:
• Align with the Museum’s mission and broader organizational priorities.
• Promote the Museum’s Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) values.
• Enhance flagship programs, such as Words & Music, the Museum’s award-winning program that teaches participants how to craft an original song lyric in a variety of delivery modalities.
• Incorporate instructional best practices to achieve optimal learning outcomes.
• Reflect and enhance exhibition themes and the diversity and breadth of contemporary issues.
• Educate, inspire, and engage a broad range of audiences through a variety of formats and platforms—from in-person programming in the Museum’s Taylor Swift Education Center for school audiences to digital-first programs designed for the Museum’s website, YouTube and social channels.
• Are aligned with best practice pedagogy and museum educational theory.
• Are feasible within organizational constraints and goals.
• Stewarding, building, and managing partnerships with external stakeholders—cultural institutions, educational professionals, community groups, government agencies, etc.
• Leading project management for major, institution-wide Education Department initiatives, including overseeing the planning and implementation of projects; monitoring progress of projects and reporting out to stakeholders; and defining tasks and resources required to complete projects. Sample projects include:
• All for the Hall educational partnerships, which include the management of relationships with public schools in Dallas, Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York City that enable the Museum to provide Words & Music programming in conjunction with All for the Hall fundraising events in these communities.
• Refreshing content in the Taylor Swift Education Center, developing an annual curatorial theme that connects the displayed artifacts with art works created by students and the community.
• Collaborating with the Museum Services Department to ensure accurate historic interpretation on all Education Department projects.
• Collaborating with the Development Department to identify and apply for grant funding and supporting relationship stewardship with prospective funders and existing donors.
• Managing all aspects of the Education Department budget in conjunction with education direct reports and the Museum’s financial team, while thinking strategically about resources needed for sustainability and growth, from annual operating budgeting and forecasting (income and expense) to capital budgeting.
• Collaborating with the Museum’s Marketing and Public Relations departments to promote programs, engage participants, and share stories of reach and impact.
• Maintaining responsibility for hiring, training, onboarding, and scheduling Education Department staff.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• At least ten years’ progressive leadership experience in a museum or similar education organization.
• Master’s degree in education, museum studies, fine arts, music, or related field.
• Proven experience developing the vision, strategy, and implementation for museum education programs.
• Passion for and knowledge of country music and awareness of popular music in general, including contemporary music across genres, and ability to conduct independent research in areas relevant to the Museum’s collection.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and coach a talented team, as well as experience cultivating an inclusive and collaborative team culture.
• Ability to represent the museum as a senior leader, serving as an advocate and spokesperson for the Education Department's activities and initiatives both within and outside of the Museum.
• Experience partnering with other senior leaders within the organization, aligning goals and resources.
• Familiarity with current trends, issues, and best practices in the field of museum education, including experience with curriculum design and implementation, and understanding of framework for 21st century learning and social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies.
• Experience building authentic community relationships and implementing robust, audience-centered programming for students, youth, families, volunteers, and interns from a variety of backgrounds.
• Proven ability to write high-quality lesson plans with an experiential learning focus.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office 365, including Word, TEAMS, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Service as a member of an executive team, reporting to the CEO.
• Experience presenting reports and leading meetings with members of a Board of Directors.
• Skill with Basecamp (project management software), CRMs, ticketing software, Canva (design), and accounting software.

Key Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• Experience and passion for diverse population’s learning and development.
• Dedication to providing high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and engaging educational opportunities.
• Eagerness to meet new people and share information with authentic enthusiasm and passion.
• Excellent dialogue-based teaching, public speaking, and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong project planning, time-management, research, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Curiosity about pop culture.
• Ability to multi-task while working with accuracy with close attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional independence, initiative, and self-discipline.
• Creative thinker who is driven to achieve personal, professional, and departmental goals.
• Dedication to serving a mission-driven organization.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment that can require comfortable pivoting to meet opportunity, while maintaining attention to strategic priorities.

Conditions of Employment

• Onsite work at the Museum is required Monday through Friday.
• Occasional work on weekends and evenings is required in support of Museum programming and departmental leadership.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to independently travel to various community organizations and public locations throughout Middle Tennessee (within 50 miles of Nashville).

Notes to Applicant

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We respect the varied attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person unique. The museum promotes an environment of respect, communication, and understanding, while actively providing opportunities for all employees of all backgrounds the skills, experience, and information necessary to succeed. The museum does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information or characteristics, age, membership in an employee organization, military or veteran status, or other non-merit factor. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

We are a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all qualified candidates to apply for open positions. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its staff and visitors. All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and employment verification, including federally mandated E-Verify processes, as required for position.

Due to the high volume of applications received for this position, hiring managers will only contact candidates they are interested in scheduling for an interview. Please refrain from calling to inquire about the status of your application.

Please upload a resume and cover letter when applying for the position.

Applications are only accepted online on our career page: