Operations and Exhibit Manager

Position Timeline:  Accepting applications through July 7.  Tentative start date for the position is August 2025.

Mission: The Children’s Museum of South Dakota sparks imagination and learning for all children and their grown-ups through play, creativity, and discovery. 

Vision: CMSD seeks to transform the world by inspiring generations to love learning and to believe that life is full of possibilities. 

Job Summary:

Our Operations and Exhibit Manager ensures the Museum is a clean, safe, welcoming, and engaging place to play, learn, and explore.  This position oversees the day-to-day operation of the Museum’s facility and exhibits, ensuring all elements are maintained to the highest standards of quality, safety, cleanliness, and creativity.  This role blends operations expertise with a playful, hands-on approach that supports exceptional visitor experiences. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise, train, and develop team members, engaging them in our mission and fostering a collaborative, playful, and high-performing culture.


• Oversee daily Museum operations, including building opening and closing, cleanliness, safety, and visitor readiness.
  


• Act as internal project coordinator for exhibit maintenance and enhancement projects, tracking progress and communicating updates to all involved parties.


• Actively participate in the exhibit development and review process, including contributing to design concepts, project plans, and construction or repair.


• Manage and care for loose parts and exhibit materials, including sourcing, inventory, storing, refreshing, and cleaning loose parts and exhibits.


• Champion the role of loose parts in open-ended play, empowering guests to create unique, meaningful hands-on learning experiences.


• Coordinate logistics and execute setup for internal and external meetings and events, including room layouts, AV technology, and space readiness.


• Regularly circulate the Museum floor to monitor overall building and exhibit cleanliness and condition, proactively addressing any issues.


• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized Museum environment.


• Support strong cross-departmental collaboration, working together to ensure that the Museum experience is positive for all guests.


• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field is preferred, but not required.


• At least 5 years prior related professional experience, such as facility or building operations, project management, museum or cultural attraction work, or operations team leadership, is required.

• Proven strong leadership and management skills with success in talent development and performance oversight.

• Shows a passion for and commitment to the Museum’s mission, vision, and values.


• Ability to follow and enforce established systems, processes, and procedures with consistency and accuracy.


• Commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organization.


• Strong organization and ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Self-motivated and able to work independently.

• Great attention to detail.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Communicates effectively and interacts genuinely with people of all backgrounds, abilities, and life experiences.


• Team player with ability to collaborate and cooperate.

What We Offer:

• Starting salary range of at least $60,000 per year and will be evaluated commensurate with experience and qualifications. 


• This is an exempt position.


• Comprehensive benefit package includes health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement benefits, and paid time off. Additional benefits include an Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) Reciprocal Membership, discount onsite at Café Coteau and Play Central Toys and Books, professional and career development, and a playful environment.

Work Environment:

• This role requires an active, hands-on approach, including standing and walking for extended periods and performing physically demanding tasks that require the whole body, such as lifting, balancing, bending, moving objects, and handling materials to ensure a clean and safe environment for our visitors.


• Work is completed both indoors and outdoors, sometimes in varying weather conditions.


• This role must be completed onsite and some flexible scheduling options may be available.


• Some evening, weekend, and holiday work will be required.


• This position reports to our Deputy Director.

The Children’s Museum of South Dakota celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees of all race, color, religion, marital status, age, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, and veteran status feel welcome.