Manager of Outreach Programs

The Opportunity
Passionate about bringing play-based learning to life and helping every child discover something new through exploration? Excited by the idea of joining a start-up-style environment where you'll navigate some ambiguity, help build systems and processes, adapt as the Museum grows, and have a meaningful impact on the community along the way? We'd love to hear from you.

Position Summary
The Manager of Outreach Programs leads the implementation and growth of the Museum's educational work with schools and community partners beyond the Museum's walls. This role turns program concepts into reality, building implementation plans, coordinating logistics, and managing the educators who deliver programming off-site. Educational strategy, major program development, and the selection and booking of artists, authors, and teaching artists remain with the Head of Education & Programs; the Manager focuses on execution, relationship management, and day-to-day delivery once programs are established.

The Manager is responsible for the operational implementation and day-to-day management of established outreach programs. The Director of Education & Programs retains responsibility for educational strategy, development and approval of new programs, curriculum direction, major programmatic changes, and selection/engagement of teaching artists and other external program collaborators.

The Manager may recommend changes, identify opportunities, and resolve routine implementation issues within established program parameters. Matters involving significant changes to program scope, budget, curriculum, staffing structure, partner commitments, or Museum policy should be escalated to the Director.

Key Responsibilities
School & Outreach Program Management
Manage the implementation of school-based, community-based, residency, outreach, and other off-site educational programs.
Serve as the primary day-to-day operational contact for participating schools and educational/community partners once programs are established.
Develop and maintain program calendars, implementation plans, staffing schedules, and timelines.
Coordinate program logistics with teachers, administrators, community partners, educators, teaching artists, and other program stakeholders.
Monitor the quality and consistency of program delivery across schools, community sites, residencies, and off-site events.
Observe program delivery and provide educators with coaching and feedback to ensure programs are delivered according to approved curriculum, learning objectives, and Museum standards.
Identify implementation challenges and routine program issues early, resolve them within established program parameters, and escalate significant or recurring concerns to the Director of Education & Programs.
School Relationships
Maintain ongoing relationships with participating schools, teachers, administrators, and education partners.
Coordinate scheduling, orientations, logistics, and ongoing communication.
Support expansion and renewal of successful school partnerships.
Gather feedback to strengthen future programming.
Program Staff & Educators
Directly supervise Museum Outreach Educators and other staff assigned to outreach programs.
Establish work assignments, schedules, and program responsibilities.
Conduct regular check-ins and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
Monitor performance, attendance, preparedness, and adherence to program standards.
Coordinate with contracted teaching artists and educators following their engagement by the Director of Education & Programs.
Support in-school classes and off-site festivals across various locations as required.
Escalate significant performance, conduct, safety, or staffing concerns to the Director and HR as appropriate.
Program Implementation
Translate program concepts developed by the Director of Education & Programs into detailed implementation plans.
Coordinate the transportation of materials, staff, and other program needs to partner sites to facilitate programming.
Maintain calendars and ensure deadlines and deliverables are met.
Support grant-funded initiatives and required program activities.
Evaluation & Reporting
Track participation, schools served, program sessions, demographics when appropriate, and other metrics.
Maintain accurate program records and documentation.
Collect participant, teacher, educator, and partner feedback.
Partner with Education leadership and the Advancement team to compile data, narrative summaries for grant reports, funder proposals, and institutional reporting.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
Coordinate with the Manager of Museum Experiences & Learning on educational philosophy and practices.
Partner with Visitor Services Manager when outreach programming includes Museum visits, group admissions, membership opportunities, community access programs, or other visitor-facing activities.
Coordinate with Digital Arts & Marketing on approved program promotion and storytelling.
Work with Operations on transportation, equipment, facilities support, and operational coordination.

Safety & Compliance
Ensure outreach programs are delivered in accordance with Museum safety, child protection, incident reporting, confidentiality, and other applicable policies and procedures.
Ensure educators understand and follow site-specific requirements and Museum protocols.
Promptly report and escalate safety, safeguarding, injury, or other significant incidents in accordance with Museum procedures.

Requirements

Qualifications & Competencies
Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, Elementary Education, Education, Child Development, Museum Education, Arts Education, or a closely related field required. Master's degree preferred.
10 years + experience in museum education, early childhood education, elementary education, play-based learning, or arts education.
Experience in museum education, school programming, community education, arts education, nonprofit programming, youth development, or a related field.
Demonstrated progressively responsible experience in museum education, school-based programming, community education, nonprofit programming, or a related field, including experience supervising staff or managing complex programs involving schools, educators, community organizations, or children and families.
Strong project-management skills across multiple programs, calendars, partners, and deadlines.
Experience supervising or coordinating educators, teaching artists, or program staff.
Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
Experience collecting program data and supporting evaluation or grant reporting.
Familiarity with Bronx communities, NYC schools, DOE structures, and community-based organizations strongly preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Google Workspace and the ability to learn and effectively use scheduling, database, program-management, and other Museum systems.

Success Measures
Strong, sustained relationships with participating schools and community partners.
Reliable, well-organized implementation of outreach and off-site programs.
Consistent, high-quality educational delivery in the field.
Effective supervision and development of program staff and educators.
Timely, accurate grant reporting and program documentation.
High partner and participant satisfaction.
Complete, reliable program data to support evaluation and funder reporting.