Under the direction of and reporting to the Associate Vice President of Student Craft, this position will direct all operations of the Berea College Visitor Center. This position is first and foremost a teaching position with responsibility for the education of up to 20 Berea College students. Development and implementation of an educational curriculum focused on Career Readiness is primary with curriculum focused on storytelling and the messaging and mission goals of the College as secondary is essential, recognizing the importance of this gateway to the College. The position will design and facilitate a community education experience that encompasses all aspects of the Berea College campus community. The position will work to establish partnerships with College and non-College groups to maximize the educational efficacy of the Visitor Center experience. The position will work to publicize and communicate effectively and comprehensively the multifaceted mission, history, present and future, and Great Commitments of Berea College and instill the Center with demonstrations by students and the radical hospitality for which Berea is known. The Director of the Visitor Center will also oversee the day-to-day operations of the Center, including the sale of Student Craft, inventory management, and the call center. In addition to the educational responsibilities detailed above, the Director is responsible for educating, supervising, and evaluating students within the Labor Program and 1-2 full-time staff.
- Serve as the primary educator and mentor for students working in the Visitor Center, fostering their personal, professional and academic development.
- Develop and enact educational framework to ensure student learning in alignment with the learning goals and outcomes of the Work-Learning-Service program
- Coordinate and direct the public facing educational activities of the Visitor Center to convey the rich and complex past, present and future and mission of the College.
- Plan, maintain, and rotate interpretive displays, artifacts, and other instructional elements at the facility in coordination with an advisory committee of Berea College personnel.
- Stage receptions for exhibition openings and visiting speakers.
- Design and distribution of promotional materials, especially on individual Craft items.
- Work with departmental administrators on exhibitions and storytelling goals of the Center.
- Accountability for business planning and execution tactics, daily financial reports, and daily operations for the Visitor Center.
- Prepare, review and report progress on budget and development plans, as well as monthly financial reports and metrics, to the Associate Vice President of Student Craft.
- Maintain and develop relationships with internal constituents as well as outside partners.
- Collaborate with others in ACP and on campus to ensure displays maximize storytelling opportunities.
- Responsible for personnel administration of students and staff, including, but not limited, to hiring, educating, scheduling, evaluating, and professional development.
- Provide and serve as a model for outstanding customer service.
- In support of Berea College’s Great Commitments this position requires student supervision. The fourth great commitment is to promote learning and serving in community through the student labor program, honoring the dignity and utility of all work, mental and manual, and taking pride in work well done. The Supervision would include scheduling, assigning and approving work performed. Developing students about common workplace acumen and giving them tangible work experience is an expected outcome. To learn more about the student labor program and requirements on this position see: Labor Program Goals
Education required to ensure success in this position:
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Marketing, Museum Studies, or Public Education
- Master’s degree preferred
- Relevant experience may substitute for some education
Experience required to ensure success in this position:
- 5-7 years’ work experience preferably in museum-related fields
- Experience in story generation and messaging
- Experience in exhibition design and installation
- Experience in public education hospitality
- Experience with administration or coordination of Visitor or Welcome Centers.
- Experience in retail management
- Experience managing and leading a diverse team ofpeople
Special skills, knowledge and abilities:
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, as education is a key component of the role.
- Ability to coordinate with a broad range of college constituents to interpret their work for the public.
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to plan, promote and implement community programming
- Ability to work with other stakeholders in College Square for a more unified user experience for those visiting the Square
- Experienced in customer service execution andtraining
- Ability to create and utilize business plans and budgets
- Ability to multi-task and work in a hurriedenvironment
- Understanding of inventorymanagement
- Knowledge of best practices for the handling of a diverse range of art, craft and other objects
- Computer literacy; proficiency in Microsoft Office; capable of operating inventory POS systems
- Digital/web skills for website and e-commerce
License, certification, or registration necessary:
- Valid Driver’sLicense
- Golf cart certification (can complete on thejob)
Physical requirements:
- Some lifting up to 50lbs.
- Ability to stand for long periods of time.
Environmental conditions:
- Work is completed mostly in a temperature-controlled officesetting but can include some time in outdoor weather as well.
