Description

The Modesto Children’s Museum (MoChiMu) is a world-class, award-winning children’s museum in the heart of California’s Central Valley. Now welcoming more than 70,000 children, families, educators, and school groups each year, MoChiMu serves as a vibrant home and trusted resource for playful learning across Stanislaus County and the greater region.

MoChiMu has quickly become a destination for families and school communities throughout the Central Valley, attracting visitors from across the region and contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of Modesto. With a growing national profile and recognition for outstanding practices, the Museum is building on its strong foundation to deepen community impact, expand access, and continue elevating the role of play in childhood.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will participate in the vision, strategic direction and guidance for the operation of the museum. A successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years Children’s Museum experience.  The CEO must be an effective, forward-thinking leader with excellent community engagement, fundraising, business and financial management skills with an understanding and passion for hands-on, experiential learning. 

Requirements

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage all aspects of the Museum’s operations, staff, volunteer relations, external relations, exhibits, and education programming.  
   
• In partnership with the Board of Directors, participate in developing the strategic plan and continuously assess museum operations to ensure its success. Support the Board’s role as the governing body for the museum.  
   
• Oversee community engagement to stimulate museum attendance. Promote active and broad participation by volunteers in all areas of the organization's work. 
   
• Provide guidance in the development of the educational programming, including the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and math for youth and families throughout the Central Valley. 
   
• Actively engage in grant and fundraising activities and events.  
   
• Oversee marketing and external relations and develop marketing and communication plans, coordinate marketing and PR efforts.  
   
• Provide leadership in program development, staff organization, marketing and financial execution for operations, facilities, and programming.  
   
• Provide excellent financial stewardship for all museum resources, address all compliance issues, and maintain the transparency necessary for a community-based not-for-profit.  
   
• Maintain a strong, cohesive, and diverse team of internal staff. Lead staff in the development and implementation of the strategic direction provided by the board.  Work with staff to develop a work plan of short- and long-range goals, and procedures to maximize effectiveness in achieving the museum's mission.  
   
• Be the Museum’s face to the community, establishing and nurturing collaborations with local and regional partners, driving the development of innovative new programming, capitalizing on education outreach, including children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds.  
   
• Be a spokesperson and assure the organization and its mission and programs are consistently presented in strong, positive ways to relevant stakeholders, public and media.  
• Be an active member of the Stanislaus County arts, culture, and education communities, and maintain a presence in a variety of settings, which may also include events and engagements on holidays, evenings, and weekends.
   

Qualifications:  
 

Key Attributes: The ideal candidate will be an inspirational leader with strong interpersonal communications skills, management, business, and fundraising and earned revenue experience.  The candidate will have the ability to build collaborative relationships, financial savvy, a track record of results, and a passion for hands-on, experiential education. They will have significant executive experience working in a museum.  

Leadership: The ideal candidate will be a dynamic leader who has experience evaluating and growing institutional programs and motivating staff to achieve their optimal potential.  They will have led an organization through a period of opening and stability.    

Program Development: Experience developing youth and family programming and STEAM education are desired.  

Financial Management: The ideal candidate will have a successful track record of exceptional financial management, organizational and fundraising skills with demonstrated ability to achieve results in a transparent manner. Ability to lead the annual budgeting process and provide supervision so that programs and operations are administered and managed within budgets, and so that cash flows are maintained at levels sufficient to support all activities and obligations.  

Communication: The ideal candidate will be a personable and compelling spokesperson that is able to articulate the mission of the organization to diverse audiences and able to passionately represent the Museum. The ideal candidate will be able to interact effectively one-on-one and with small groups, as well as successfully delivering formal presentations to large audiences, and have the ability to tell the Museum story in a way that engages and compels donors, community leaders and families.   

Fundraising: The ideal candidate will be a relationship builder who has a high level of organizational and political sophistication, experience with not-for-profit fundraising, and building collaborative and strategic partnerships. They will play a major role in fundraising, pursuing an agenda of donor outreach and exceptional donor relations to increase the agency’s financial resources. The ideal candidate will think beyond traditional sources to identify unique funding opportunities.  

Character: The CEO should demonstrate honesty and integrity. The ideal candidate will be a problem-solver who possesses exceptional organizational and management skills. They must be forward-thinking, flexible, creative, energetic, and able to work with diverse constituencies in an effective manner.  

Background: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible senior level experience in a Children’s Museum and having new Museum experience is strongly preferred. Experience working with fundraising, not-for-profit boards, committees, and the public is essential.  

Education: A bachelor’s degree is required, and a master's degree is preferred.  Experience in childhood development, museum management, or relevant disciplines is valued.  

Compensation: Salary will be commensurate with experience, and benefits are comparable to similar organizations.

Contact: 
Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter via e-mail to: Katie Barber, kbarber@modestochildrensmuseum.org 

The Museum firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability. This position is open until filled.  

The Modesto Children's Museum is a valuable community resource for children and families to experience the joy of learning about themselves and the world around them. The museum will enrich the lives of all children by nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and a love for lifelong learning.