Museum Curator

The Museum Curator is a vital leadership role at the Lutz Children's Museum, responsible for supporting and partnering with the Executive Director to ensure seamless daily operations while guiding the delivery of our mission. This role will oversee operational staff, manage budgets, and implement strategic plans, all while fostering a vibrant and educational environment for our young visitors with a strong commitment to the museum's vision. This position demands strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, as well as a deep understanding of museum education and visitor experience. The Museum Curator will play a key role in shaping the visitor experience and ensuring the museum remains a vibrant and relevant resource for the community. 

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to oversee and manage day-to-day museum operations, including addressing minor facility issues, troubleshooting technical problems, running errands, completing administrative tasks, and making timely adjustments to staff schedules. 
• Cultivate community partnerships by managing vendors, musicians, and sponsorships for departmental initiatives, including the Farm Day event, in collaboration with the Executive Director. 
• Oversee the hiring, training, and supervision of museum staff, including exhibit technicians and administrative staff, to ensure they are well-equipped to provide exceptional visitor experiences. 
• Assist in the development and management of the museum's budget, including financial reporting, grant writing, and fundraising initiatives. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, schools, and other organizations to expand the museum's reach and impact. 
• Conduct thorough research on potential exhibit topics, considering current trends in museum education and visitor engagement. Develop detailed exhibit proposals, including themes, learning objectives, target audiences, and budget projections. 
• Oversee the maintenance and ongoing improvement of exhibits to maximize visitor interest and experience. 
• Develop and implement marketing and communication strategies to promote the museum's programs, events, and exhibits to target audiences. 
• Support the Executive Director in driving organizational growth through the implementation of sound business plans, targeted marketing strategies, and successful fundraising campaigns. 
• Plan and execute a variety of special events, fundraisers, and community outreach programs, including family-friendly events, educational workshops, and cultural celebrations. 
• Create and manage the museum’s annual calendar of activities such as special events, fundraising initiatives, pop-up programs and those associated with the Lutz Children’s Museum mascot. 
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including data entry and report generation in Versai. Manage museum gift cards, memberships, and renewals. 
• Organize committee meetings including determining the time and place and drafting and delivering correspondence such as agendas, minutes, and transcripts. 
• Develops, maintains, and facilitates positive relationships with and between staff, volunteers, and colleagues at all levels of the organization. 
• Assist in the planning and execution of endowment-related events, such as donor appreciation receptions, legacy society gatherings, and educational seminars. 
• Create content for the museum's website, newsletters, and social media channels that promote the museum’s endowment.
• Manage grant budgets, track expenditures, and prepare grant reports in accordance with funder requirements. 
• Oversee the museum's collection, including acquisition, cataloging, preservation, and storage. 
• Represent the museum at industry events and conferences to promote business development opportunities. 
• Pursues training opportunities that support the work of the Lutz Children’s Museum and enhance personal and professional growth. 
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as needed for special events. Attends all mandatory meetings and training sessions.  

• High School Diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred. 
• Two (2) to five (5) years of related experience required, preferably in a museum, zoo, or educational institution. 
• Knowledge of the philosophy, mission, leadership needs, and planning requirements of the organization preferred. 
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community. 
• Demonstrates excellent planning, organization, time management, and attention to detail. 
• Proven effective communication skills to inform, counsel, motivate, and support employees and volunteers. 
• Possess and demonstrate excellent customer service, decision-making, problem solving, team focus, and critical thinking. 
• Possesses a general knowledge and understanding of the Lutz Children’s Museum and its mission. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software. 

Trainings & Certifications:

• Must complete First Aid & CPR training.  
• Must complete Sexual Harassment training.  
• Must complete Child Abuse Prevention and Mandated Reporter training. 

A Museum for All: Celebrating Inclusion

The Lutz Children's Museum is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where all patrons, volunteers, and staff members feel a sense of belonging. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to explore their curiosity and discover the wonders of the world, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or learning styles. We strive to provide a museum experience that is accessible and enjoyable for all. This includes creating exhibits and programs that are engaging for children with diverse needs, providing ongoing training for our staff on inclusive practices and cultural competency, and partnering with community organizations to ensure that all children have the opportunity to experience the joy of the museum. We are dedicated to fostering a space where every patron, volunteer, and staff member feels valued, respected, and empowered to learn and grow.