Exhibits and Programs Director

Nature of the Position:

The Exhibits and Programs Director plans, develops and manages exhibits and programs for the United States Navy Memorial Foundation, serving a primary audience of active-duty Navy Personnel, former and future Navy personnel, group tours, individual visitors, private event groups, and all USNMF departments.

The mission of the US Navy Memorial is to honor, recognize and celebrate the men and women of the US Navy, past, present and future, and to inform Americans about their service. We have a vision of becoming “a destination of choice” in Washington, DC.

The Navy Memorial seeks to do this by excelling in two broad areas – exhibits and programs. The Exhibits and Programs Director will be primarily responsible for:

• EXHIBITS: Producing interactive, informative, cutting edge and awe-inspiring exhibits in the Naval Heritage Center. Our intent is to move from static exhibits to telling the Navy story through more compelling, engaging and profoundly informative exhibits.
• PROGRAMS: The Navy Memorial executes events extremely well. Our intent is to create more engaging programs and increase attendance. The Exhibits and Programs Director leads most of the organization’s programs.

Planning:

• Develop, maintain and implement 3-5 year exhibit plan for all physical and on-line exhibits, both permanent and temporary.
• Plan, coordinate, set goals, facilitate and lead programs and events, including but not limited to the Authors on Deck Program, Wreath Layings, Blessing of the Fleet, Battle Commemorations, Navy Birthday, Chief’s Birthday and Chiefs’ Pinning Ceremony, Honor Flight Visits, Sailor of the Year Week, and Oral History Program.
• Develop strategies, including goals, to improve visitor attendance at the Navy Memorial.
• Develop and manage Mobile Navy Memorial program.
• Work with the National Park Service to schedule Navy Memorial events and leverage our partnership to benefit both organizations.
• Coordinate and host group tours.
• Provide exhibit presentations at Navy Memorial and on the road as appropriate.
• Contribute to Navy Memorial Quarterly Newsletter.

Decision Authority:

• Implement exhibit concepts, including planning, design, fabrication, installation and maintenance of exhibits.
• Develop, manage and work with designer to produce all interior/exterior signage and graphics, and work with Events and Operations personnel on installation and upkeep.
• Recruit, train and schedule Visitor Service Personnel and Volunteers for duty on the US Navy Memorial and in the Naval Heritage Center; schedule and facilitate quarterly training sessions for staff and volunteers.

Budgetary Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage budgets for designated Exhibits and Programs.
• Work with the Chief Operations Officer to prepare annual budget for all exhibits and programs.
• Work with external partners to prepare cost estimates and develop exhibit designs.
• Work with Development department personnel to develop grants and other funding mechanisms.

Other Organizations:

• Develop and coordinate all curriculum based educational programs, and outreach program efforts directly to schools and military education groups (ROTC, NJROTC).
• Staff liaison to Naval District Washington, National Park Service, National Archives, American Association of Museums and other organizations as appropriate.

Internal Departments/Staff:

• Work in a collaborative way, always putting TEAM first.
• Oversees part-time assistant program manager.
• Work with the Relations Manager to effectively market programs to specific audiences.
• Work with Director of Leasing to ensure Navy Memorial maximizes leasing opportunities.

Measures of Performance

• Work collaboratively with TEAM.
• Effectively and efficiently implement 3-5 year exhibit plan for all physical and on-line exhibits
• Set and meet approved goals for well-planned events.
• Six to eight Authors on Deck events per year
• Blessing of the Fleet, three Wreath Laying events and one Navy Birthday event per year
• Events are well coordinated with Naval District Washington and National Park Service
• Successful management of impactful Volunteer Program to staff Naval Heritage Center during all open hours.
• Achieve annually produced Visitor goals.
• Manage effective partnership with Naval District Washington and National Park Service.
• Meet budget goals.

Job Type: Full-time

Job Location:

• Washington, DC

Required education:

• Bachelor’s

Required experience:

• Museum: 1 year