Vice President, Marketing & Visitor Experience (VPMVE)

Boston Children’s Museum, Vice President, Marketing & Visitor Experience  

About Boston Children’s Museum

Founded in 1913 by teachers interested in innovative teaching and learning, Boston Children’s Museum (BCM) has since evolved into a world-renowned children’s museum offering enriching experiences for children and families in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), culture, health, and the performing arts. In the 1960s, BCM pioneered the concept of hands-on, visitor-focused exhibits and programs, which fundamentally transformed museums of all varieties. As the second oldest children’s museum in the world, BCM serves as the model and pacesetter for the now 350 children’s museums around the globe. 

To ensure that the Museum continues to best serve our audience, BCM partners with local universities to advance early childhood development research, implements the latest findings in our exhibits and programs, and serves as a critical resource for caregivers and educators in our community. The Museum maintains an extensive collection and is one of the few children’s museums in the world to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum’s collections of Americana, Natural History, Global Culture, Native American, Dolls and Dollhouses, and Japanese artifacts encompass more than 25,000 objects.

As one of the largest and most-acclaimed children’s museums in the world, Boston Children’s Museum also provides museum consulting services, training, curriculum development, and exhibit kits for museum professionals, educators, school districts and municipal and state education entities. In 2013, the Museum received the National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington D.C. for its service to the community; the highest award given to a Museum in the United States.

Mission

Boston Children’s Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning.

Vision

Boston Children’s Museum’s vision is to be a welcoming, imaginative, child–centered learning environment that supports diverse families in nurturing their children’s creativity and curiosity. We promote the healthy development of all children so that they will fulfill their potential and contribute to our collective wellbeing and future prosperity.

Values

Creativity. Respect. Excellence. Accountability. Thoughtfulness. Equity.

Boston Children’s Museum is a curious, experimental, and creative learning organization. We have a child-and-family-centered focus, welcoming and respecting of all Museum audiences. We collaborate with, and show mutual respect and support for, our colleagues. We recognize that each person has equal, intrinsic worth and deserves to be treated with dignity. We are a culture that innovates, changes, and pushes boundaries to keep the museum relevant. We are responsible to each other and strive to keep our commitments to our colleagues. We commit to high ethical standards. We recognize the importance of work-life balance, respecting the importance of personal growth and family. We have an ongoing commitment to fairness in all aspects of the Museum and we embrace alternative ways of thinking.

For more information, please visit our website at Boston Children’s Museum.

The Opportunity

The Vice President of Marketing & Visitor Experience (VPMVE) reports to the President and CEO and is a member of the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams. The VPMVE is a key leader in conceptualizing, initiating, and overseeing marketing, communications, and visitor-facing revenue and service functions. This includes the development and execution of marketing strategies and plans, internal and external communications, and staff development and overall performance of visitor experience.

The VPMVE’s primary responsibility is to uphold and enhance the Museum’s reputation and brand as a world class leader in learning through play. The VPMVE monitors trends and behaviors that impact the Museum’s audience to ensure the Museum remains relevant and keeps pace with the evolving needs of children and their families. Develop and implement brand strategy, market intelligence gathering, building, and maintaining promotional and strategic business partnerships, audience development, and social media strategies. Lead or participate in Museum business development and ideation to build both audience and earned revenues. Promote Boston Children’s Museum’s Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles, including its EDI Mission and goals.

The VPMVE manages, motivates and is responsible for the development of a team of professionals: Director of Visitor Experience, Senior Director of Public Relations and Corporate Sponsorships, Senior Director, Creative, Digital Content Manager, and Events Manager. In addition, the VPMVE also maintains and manages the relationships with consultants and activities as needed. The VPMVE and their reports ensure that the Museum maintains its 5-Star visitor experience and service goals and strives for continuous improvement in customer service.  In addition, they lead an annual schedule of Family-Centered Events to engage new and diverse audiences and support earned revenue goals. 

As a leader, the VPMVE works closely across all Museum departments, attends all Board meetings and other Museum/Board event commitments. In conjunction with the President, Executive Leadership team and Board, the VPMVE plays an instrumental role in the evolving expression of the Museum, its brand and identity, and its strategy. This includes, but not limited to, conceiving, and implementing brand strategies and priorities, expanding digital engagement and marketing initiatives, conducting and monitoring market and visitor studies utilizing market data to impact Museum strategy and decision making to enhance the overall visitor experience.

Contact

Liz Lombard and Angie Sessoms of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. To express your interest in this role please fill out our Talent Profile or email Angie directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

About Koya Partners

Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients.

Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world. To learn more, please visit Koya Partners website.