Employment

The San Diego Natural History Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Print Production Artist- Coast to Cactus exhibition

The San Diego Natural History Museum is seeking an experienced Print Production Artist for a full-time, temporary position in our Visual Media Department.  Candidate must be able to take direction and work in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment. Complete knowledge of the production process for print design is required with ability to prepare files for offset printing. Software skills in Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Word and Power Point (Mac platform) are necessary. Ability to develop and design web pages for our museum website is a plus, but not a priority.  

 Required skills:

• Minimum Two years’ experience
• Photo color correction and manipulation
• Proof for spelling, grammar, text formatting, layout accuracy and consistency
• Revise existing files (client edits, resizes, etc.)
• Complete minor layout projects
• Maintain project file archives
• High level of proficiency in Illustrator, PhotoShop, InDesign and Adobe Acrobat
• Understanding of both Windows/Mac platforms and various web browsers.

This is a full-time, 40 hr/week position funded for 17 months, starting as early as Sept 16, 2013. Please send resume along with 5 non-returnable samples (laser prints are ok; no CDs). Please, no phone calls or drop-ins. Mail or email cover letter, resume and samples to: 

• hr@sdnhm.org , or
• San Diego Natural History Museum   Attn: Human Resources,  P.O. Box 121390, San Diego, CA 92112-1390.

Director of Visitor Services

The San Diego Natural History Museum is seeking an experienced, creative, and positive professional to direct the sales and customer service endeavors of the Visitor Services Department.

The Role

The Director of Visitor Services will be a key member of the leadership team responsible for directing and managing all visitor interactions within the Museums facilities.  This position will work closely with the Museum’s Senior Director of Public Programs, the Senior Director of Communications, and the Senior Director of Operations as well as directing the Visitor Services and Group Sales teams.   The Director of Visitor Services works closely with the COO and takes a leadership role in establishing customer service and visitor services policies, practices and direction in support of the achievement of the Museum’s goal to deliver an impacting and inspiring visitor experience.

The qualified incumbent will have the opportunity to develop a strategic group sales plan while managing a team of motivated employees in a busy, seven-day front-line museum environment. The individual will have a sound understanding of marketing trends and analytics as they relate to strategic operational sales.  In addition, the Director of Visitor Services will possess a direct yet collaborative attitude and the ability to effectively communicate the interests of the department and the mission of the institution. As the Museum appeals to both devoted members and excited first time visitors, the Director of Visitor Services ensures the needs of all guests are met with consistent and impeccable customer service.

Responsibilities will include:

• Developing, implementing, and managing a group sales plan for both special exhibitions and general admission.
• Developing and implementing a strategic plan to enhance and increase sales of membership and public program
• Leading a team front-line employees who are committed to providing the best customer service experience to Museum members and guests.
• Guiding, coaching and developing staff members in an environment that rewards high performance and their contributions.
• Key liaison on visitor/customer services experience across Museum departments and with outside entities and vendors.
• Projecting and budgeting admission revenues and ancillary visitor earned income based on marketing, historical and exhibit specific metrics.
• Overseeing the customer service phone/call center, voicemail, email, and all other forms of visitor communication within the Museum.
• Collaborating with the Senior Director of Communications to develop and implement a tourism outreach program that capitalizes on our media, advertising, and civic partnerships to increase visitation from leisure travelers as well as business travelers and groups.
• Managing relationships with two key vendors; one who manage the Museum’s retail store and the other who operates the Museum’s café.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate for this role will be fully dedicated to SDNHM’s mission to inspire in all a respect for nature and the environment, be highly engaged and energetic, and have excellent leadership skills.  S/he must have an ability to navigate and manage a mission-driven institution, but must also be strongly service- and customer- oriented.  Candidates should have strong business acumen and be adept at both introducing and reinforcing the use of data and metrics to drive decisions that impact the visitor experience.  S/he will approach challenges from a practical, but optimistic standpoint. This person must be a team player with the ability to work in a large and complex organization with an environment of transparent and collegial communications.

Particular industry background within the Museum or visitor attraction area is not necessary, however; candidates should have a natural appreciation for the intellectual, educational, and consumer elements of the Museum and its mission.  Additionally, personal attributes will be absolutely critical. 

In terms of performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:

Building Relationships and Partnership

• Thoughtful, articulate, and collaborative working style is a must.  Able to create a positive culture across organizations, stressing achievement, teamwork, development, accountability, competency, and an overall commitment to the Museum’s values.
• Comfortable acting in an environment of driven and committed professionals and in a mission-driven culture that stresses team work, responsibility, and influence, not just authority. 
• Seamless engagement with the departments across the SDNHM demonstrating a partnership mentality.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated oral and written skills with proven ability to influence and achieve alignment across a range of different opinions and interests.

Leading Teams

• Ability to recruit, develop, and empower direct reports and their corresponding teams.
• Excellent skills as a team player with the ability to achieve success through others.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Demonstrated abilities to coach and mentor teams.

Setting Strategy

• Consistently evaluates decisions in terms of impact to the Museum.
• Brings a strong sense for the methodology of prioritizing initiatives across an organization.
• Capable of developing and executing short-term (tactical) and long-term (strategic) plans.
• A systematic, structured understanding of the organization that leads to the integration of data, ideas and/or concepts into a system that can be applied to solving problems and implementing effective solutions. 
• Ability to use metrics to help drive decisions throughout the institution and bringing focus and discipline to the process of converting ideas into action.

Executing for Results

• A high degree of organizational discipline with the ability to manage numerous projects and priorities while providing a broad scope of services on-time and on-budget.  
• Energetic self-starter with a strong, disciplined drive for results and success who conveys a sense of urgency and guides issues to closure. 

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of guest services/customer service and group sales management.
• Demonstrated successful sales plan development, implementation, and execution.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong understanding of database-driven point-of-sales ticketing systems, knowledge of Blackbaud products a plus.
• Strong analytic and financial skills.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
• Existing contacts in the tourism / group sales industries a plus.

Please send cover letter and resume to hr@sdnhm.org . No drop-ins or phone calls, please.

Senior Director of Public Programs

The San Diego Natural History Museum is seeking an experienced and creative museum professional to direct the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy for public programs, exhibitions, and community partnerships that strengthen the Museum’s mission to inspire in all a respect for nature and the environment. Reporting to the Vice President of Research and Public Programs, the Senior Director of Public Programs collaborates with colleagues across the institution and stakeholders in the community to conceptualize, develop, and implement public programs (exhibitions, education programs, films, etc.) that are relevant, engaging, and accessible for a diverse audience. In short, this position will champion and cultivate a visitor-centered culture at the museum.

Responsibilities

• Vision and Strategy: Shapes a vision and strategy for public programs, exhibits, and community partnerships that engage the general public with the Museum’s collections and exhibitions. Identifies measureable outcomes, success criteria, and planning and assessment tools. Is a part of an education and exhibition leadership team that establishes priorities for the division. Stays current with educational and exhibition practices and scholarship through a network of colleagues in the field, other disciplines, and literature reviews.
• Program Development and Implementation: Conducts research on opportunities for traveling exhibitions, external education programs, and film festivals. Brainstorms with curators, educators, and other external partners to conceptualize and shape program content, themes, format, and structure. Identifies and schedules speakers, presenters, and other services.
• Cross-Divisional Communication and Collaboration: Works closely with marketing colleagues to identify opportunities to highlight programs and partnerships, and to develop and implement key messages, strategies for outreach and promotion, and internal communications. Works closely with Visitor Services and Security colleagues to create a seamless customer service experience for adult and family audiences. Communicates public program strategy to colleagues across the institution at all-colleague meetings, exhibition meetings, and project meetings, and through email and printed material.
• Leadership and Staff Development: Supervises the Director of Binational Education, Exhibits Department staff, and various interns, work-study students, and contract or temporary employees. Provides inspiring leadership through coaching, mentoring, and professional development, sharing new research and models with colleagues. Builds excitement and shared sense of program ownership with staff by soliciting colleague opinions, encouraging involvement and creativity, and building momentum for future plans.
• Research and Evaluation: Leads cross-departmental team review of programs to evaluate and improve processes, content, communication, staffing, and other issues. 
• Administration, Budgets, and Reporting: Works with direct reports to develop, plan, and track annual budgets and revenue for public program areas. Works with VP Rapp to prepare reports, conveying metrics, narratives, and/or budget. Assists with the preparation of grants and the cultivation of funders and stakeholders.
• Special Projects: As a senior member of the Public Programs Division, this individual is frequently called upon to assist with special projects and initiatives. Serves as project leader for key departmental and institutional strategic initiatives. 

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field and/or 7+ years museum experience
• Proven record of strategic thinking, creative visioning, and inspiring leadership
• Solid understanding of traveling exhibition acquisition, execution, budgeting and logistical problem solving
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively within the Museum and community
• Experience in museum evaluation and research
• Thorough familiarity with informal science learning best practices
• Knowledge of emerging technologies in museums
• Sincere interest in education and the natural history of our region
• Spanish language skills not required but considered a plus

Please send resume and cover letter to hr@sdnhm.org.  No phone calls or drop-ins please.

Building Operations Lead

The San Diego Natural History Museum seeks a Building Operations Lead who will, in addition to custodial duties, will assist the Building Engineer with all duties relative to the physical operation of Museum facilities both on site and off site.   Candidate must be available nights and weekends.  Previous experience is preferred.  Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities Include:

1. Supervision/Oversight of In-House Building Operations

• Oversee building operations; directly supervise building operations staff.
• Guide and direct daily Building operations.
• Oversee scheduling and payroll. Staff special events.
• Provide training, counseling, and coaching for building operations staff.

2. General cleaning and operations of the Museum

• Painting, electrical, plumbing, flooring, light construction, fire system and HVAC operations and maintenance, entry systems, furniture moving, interface with vendors and inspectors, management of recycling program.

3. Fire Alarm System

• Maintain proper operational effectiveness and functionality of all fire systems and components; respond to alarms as necessary; conduct required training as needed.

4. Setup for special events

• Coordinating set up with building ops team as well as special events staff
• Attending weekly special events meeting to ensure collective understanding of event details

Required skills:

• 2 years Building Operations experience important + 1 year as Supervisor/Manager or Lead
• Working knowledge of all building oriented functions
• Knowledge of cleaning equipment, products, techniques, and standards.
• Skill in both verbal and written communication.
• Skill in coordinating the work activities of assigned staff.
• Skill in using cleaning products and equipment.

Send resume and cover letter to hr@sdnhm.org. No drop-ins or phone calls please.

March 1, 2013