Manager of Community and Schools Relationships

Field Museum Of Natural History - Chicago, IL

Part-time,Full-time - Mid Level

Chicago, IL

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions

About the position

The Manager of Community and School Relationships at the Field Museum plays a pivotal role in enhancing educational experiences for Pre-K-12th grade students and fostering community engagement. This position is integral to the School Programs team, which has a long-standing mission to connect people with the natural environment and human history through meaningful learning experiences. The manager will be responsible for managing and nurturing relationships with existing community partners and schools, while also identifying and establishing new partnerships that align with the museum's mission. This role involves spearheading engagement efforts and managing ongoing partnerships and outreach programs across Chicago, particularly on the southwest and west sides. In this capacity, the manager will serve as the primary liaison between the Field Museum and school administrators, educators, and community stakeholders. They will consult with identified communities to strengthen relationships through various programming initiatives, outreach events, and school workshops. The manager will also be tasked with collecting and analyzing data to track relationship metrics, preparing reports, and measuring the impact of partnership activities. Coordination of community group and school visits, both onsite at the museum and offsite, is a key responsibility, as is collaboration with department leadership to develop formal processes and cross-team initiatives. The role requires active participation in community meetings and regular relational meetings with community leaders. The manager will supervise and coach the community engagement team, which may include full-time, part-time, and contract staff, and will oversee the community engagement and partnership budget. Additionally, they will develop and lead strategies for programming that caters to diverse audiences, ensuring alignment with the museum's educational goals. The manager will also monitor and evaluate partnership initiatives to assess their impact on educational outcomes and community engagement, proposing enhancements as necessary. This position requires a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion within community engagement and school partnerships, as well as supporting the development and marketing of community and school events.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with existing community partners and schools to enhance engagement and support educational initiatives.
• Identify, establish, and foster new partnerships with community organizations, schools, and businesses that align with the Museum's mission.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Field Museum and school administrators, educators, and community stakeholders.
• Consult and strengthen relationships with identified communities through programming, outreach events, community programming, school workshops, and science nights.
• Collect and analyze data to track relationship metrics, prepare reports, and measure the impact of partnership activities.
• Coordinate and facilitate community group and school visits both onsite at the Museum and offsite.
• Collaborate with department leadership to develop formal processes, scope of work, and cross-team initiatives.
• Attend community meetings and hold regular relational meetings with community leaders.
• Manage, supervise, and coach the community engagement team, which may include full-time, part-time, and contract staff.
• Oversee the community engagement and partnership budget.
• Oversee Park Voyagers Field Museum program.
• Actively serve on and engage with the Education Leadership management team.
• Develop and lead strategy for programming for diverse audiences in community and schools, ensuring alignment with Education and Public Programs goals.
• Create, execute, and advance a comprehensive strategy for developing community engagement programming with clear Education and Public Programs goals.
• Stay informed about and implement best practices to promote diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion within community engagement and school partnerships.
• Support the development and marketing of community and school events as well as monthly programming for various audiences.
• Oversee and manage the development and execution of community events and unique programming initiatives at the Field Museum.
• Monitor and evaluate partnership initiatives to measure impact on educational outcomes and community engagement, proposing enhancements or conclusions as needed.
• Ensure co-created programs align with the museum's missions, vision, and learning framework while leveraging community strengths and interests.
• Foster ongoing internal collaborations across departments and external collaborations with schools and community partners.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field of education, science, social science, or other related field; a master's degree is preferred.
• Proven experience in developing and executing community engagement programs, preferably in a museum or educational setting.
• 3-5 years experience teaching Pre-K-12th grade students using culturally responsive, anti-racist, and inquiry-based pedagogies.
• Strong understanding of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion principles and their application in program development.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in project management, including program planning, execution, and evaluation.
• Ability to think strategically and innovate while maintaining alignment with organizational goals.
• Commitment to promoting educational equity and fostering community partnerships.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend Spanish is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with the Next Generation Science Standards, C3 Framework for Social Studies Standards, Common Core, and Social Justice Standards.

Benefits

• Mileage reimbursement
• Health insurance
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling
• Professional development opportunities