JOB DESCRIPTION – Essential Job Responsibilities:

The Senior Vice President (SVP), Public Programs, plays a critical role in the continued successful growth of Bishop Museum. This position will be responsible for all public operations and programmatic-related areas of the Museum. The public programs area of responsibility includes but is not limited to direct oversight of the following departments: Education, Exhibitions, Retail, Admissions, Visitor Services, Community Affairs, and subsidiary properties of the Hawaii Maritime Center and Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. The SVP will continually analyze, improve, and develop new and existing educational activities and other content-based programs of the Museum in order to advance the institution’s mission and strategic plan. A keen interest in knowing the Museum’s communities and serving them through public programs that take full advantage of the Museum’s collections and research is expected. In order to build external support and secure resources for said programs, this position must work closely with the institutional advancement division, collections divisions, and the president and CEO to identify and secure grants, partnerships and earned revenue sources.  The SVP should have expertise in of one or more of the following areas: Hawaiian, Pacific or indigenous cultures, cultural education, natural sciences, science education, and preferably have direct knowledge and experience developing programs and exhibitions that link collections and research to create educational activities. This person will be asked to assess the Museum’s programming and then produce a long-range growth plan that aligns with the Museum’s new strategic plan. S/he must be able to work effectively with both the collections/research divisions and public program departments to create unique, relevant, and innovative educational outcomes, and must be able to develop a vision and direction for public programming for this internationally significant institution.

S/he must be an effective manager and team member who can work in a dynamic and collaborative environment. Additionally, s/he must know how to create and manage plans and budgets, be a critical thinker, conversant with current technologies, comfortable in public presentations, and serve as a spokesperson to champion the Museum’s content issues.

Responsibilities include

• Works closely with collections and research vice presidents and public programming managers and staff to build and present unique, relevant, and innovative educational experiences that align with the Museum’s strategic and operational goals.
• Works closely with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and the division’s staff to ensure alignment of operations with all others areas of the museum and delivery of goals as they relate to development efforts.
• Develops long range plans and strategies for the Museum’s public program departments that meet the Museum’s mission and strengthen its financial and organizational foundation. 
• Oversight of day-to-day public program operations of the Museum including management of staff, budgets, programs and policies to ensure effective execution of operations in meeting organizational objectives. 
• Maintains and develops the Museum’s image and reputation, and develops and protects the organization’s brand and intellectual property.
• Develops, designs, and improves systems that create and deliver the Museum’s programs and services.
• Recommends and implements changes in organization and operations as required for the development and growth of the Museum.
• Directly develops grants and provides oversight to grant writing activities that support the Museum’s strategic priorities as it relates to public programming.
• Interacts with external professional colleagues and community leaders to help promote the Museum.
• Maintains regular and consistent communication with the President to ensure Museum-wide integration of programs and activities.  Recommends direction and action, where necessary.
• Develop policies and procedures that will ensure conformance to standards and implements best practices for the Museum.
• Provides leadership and direction with the Museum’s operating plan and budgets.  Encourages staff professionalism, promotes teamwork, and uses the resources and creativity necessary to develop solutions to Museum issues and concerns.
• Works with other Museum staff to help develop new programs, projects, services and products.  Advises on the feasibility, impact, and success.
• Interacts with Museum staff and clients with tact, courtesy and respect at all times.  Remains motivated and projects a positive and professional attitude towards others.
• Assists the President and CEO as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Masters or PhD degree in education and or museum related discipline.  Preference to holders of advanced degree in education or museum related discipline.
• Seven to ten years of experience in management.
• Has demonstrated the ability to direct and supervise staff and budgets.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to develop collections-based public programming in a museum or informal education environment.
• Direct experience and ability in securing competitive grant awards in museum or related environment.
• Ability to develop and grow earned revenue from activities at an admissions-based attraction.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and manage a variety of operational divisions and departments with limited budgets to achieve organizational goals.
• Creative ability, strong communication skills and analytical ability.
• Ability to interact with people at all levels.
• Ability to work well on multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Computer-literate with proficiency required in word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and desktop publishing.
• Flexibility in working hours, as some evening and weekend work is required.
• Must have own car with proof of insurance.

Other Requirements

• Professional, business-like appearance
• Good attendance
• Detail-oriented
• Flexibility in schedule to meet deadlines