National Children’s Museum is seeking a Director of Exhibit Operations to join the leadership team. This crucial position, reporting to the President and CEO, will oversee exhibition development and operations throughout the museum’s reopening and into full operations. This individual will take the lead in a broad range of activities related to exhibit design, museum development, institutional planning, and visitor engagement. The Director of Exhibit Operations will provide exceptional creativity in the development of STEAM learning opportunities, supporting the mission of the National Children’s Museum to inspire children to care about and improve the world. The Director of Exhibit Operations will:

  • Lead permanent exhibition design and museum development for the grand reopening of the National Children’s Museum on the National Mall;
  • Oversee strategic planning for future exhibitions and temporary exhibit development or rentals;
  • Collaborate with Education to ensure quality STEAM content throughout exhibitions, and produce exceptional visitor experiences;
  • Partner with Marketing to pursue exhibitions that will maximize content and brand of NCM;
  • Work with Institutional Advancement to maximize fundraising opportunities and steward donors;
  • Staff and manage various exhibition task forces and Board Committees as requested;
  • Serve as liaison to contractors and consultants working on exhibit and museum development;
  • Provide leadership to Exhibits as it grows with the National Children’s Museum.

About National Children’s Museum
Founded as the Capital Children’s Museum in 1974, the museum served kids and families in the Washington region for thirty years in Northeast Washington, D.C. Renamed in 2003 with US Congressional designation, the National Children’s Museum operated as a museum without walls for several years; serving the region through traveling exhibitions, partnerships with other nonprofits, as well as community and school outreach programs. For a few years, a small museum space was opened to the public at the National Harbor, but closed in preparation for NCM’s next stage. Today, the National Children's Museum is poised for its greatest chapter yet, as it prepares to reopen on the National Mall in 2019.
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to hr@nationalchildrensmuseum.org with the Subject Line: Director of Exhibit Operations.


RequirementsQualifications required:

  • 5-7 years working in exhibit development, operations, or children’s entertainment companies;
  • Demonstrated leadership skills, strong manager with experience financial planning and budgeting;
  • Tremendous creative talent with capacity to be nimble and adapt to the museum’s needs;
  • Ability to work effectively on a team and think strategically;
  • Expert organizational and project management skills, with proven ability to prioritize and meet deadlines;
  • Experience managing multiple, complex initiatives through periods of growth and change;
  • Digital aptitude to effectively oversee integration of ticketing and exhibit infrastructure;
  • Must be highly professional with the ability to serve as a public representative of the museum;
  • Self-starter able to take charge of a task once assigned, but welcoming of feedback from all staff and open to adaptation for the betterment of the museum;
  • Passion for educating children and the mission of National Children’s Museum.