Manager, IDEAL Center

The Manager role leads the IDEAL Center within the Center for STEM Education (CSE). The IDEAL Center employs a shared leadership model to deliver client-facing work to advance equity and systems change in workplace, school, and community settings. Reporting to the Director of the Center for STEM Education, this position sustains a compelling and principled vision for diversity, inclusion, access, and equity, both with external clients and within SMM; grows relationships with clients and institutional program participants across sectors; maintains and grows business sustainability for the IDEAL Center; ensures grant-funded work complies with funder policies and guidelines; and provides oversight of IDEAL programs, services, curricula, and staff. This role collaborates with CSE’s Learning & Instruction and Learning Evaluation departments to align IDEAL’s equity-centered facilitation expertise with CSE’s broader portfolio of STEM learning, research, and professional development. The Manager also partners with Lifelong Learning leadership to advance equity and inclusion across Kitty Anderson Youth Science Center (KAYSC) and Department of Learning Operations (DLO) programming.

Direct supervisor for Senior IDEAL Project Leader and IDEAL Project Leaders. Provide leadership and professional development for staff in learning, collaboration, and equity.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

1. Partner with CSE and Lifelong Learning Leadership to develop and implement strategic and annual plans for the IDEAL Center. Provide leadership and modeling to incorporate best practices in equity and access for IDEAL Center, Lifelong Learning, and SMM staff and audiences.
2. Supervise, evaluate, coach, and develop IDEAL Center staff to achieve a high level of individual and team performance by providing challenging, engaging, and meaningful assignments; monitoring progress; and providing timely feedback. Advocate and build support networks and pathways for youth or seasonal positions across Lifelong Learning.
3. Develop, nurture, and grow critical museum relationships with external partners and clients for IDEAL Center, Lifelong Learning, and SMM audiences.
1. Expand the IDEAL client base including multi-year, six-figure contracts and repeat business in a variety of sectors (K-12 education, higher education, informal education, non-profits, government agencies and/or corporate entities) and with a variety of constituents (including senior leadership teams, administrators, faculty and staff, trustees, STEM professionals).
2. Lead IDEAL Center capacity building and program development to sustain a reputation of excellence while continuing to expand IDEAL’s potential client base.
4. Participate in the planning, direct facilitation, and post-program evaluation of both client- and grant-funded professional development programming, working in close coordination with IDEAL Center staff.
5. Serve as Principal Investigator, Project Director, or Segment Manager for major IDEAL projects and grants. Lead development and contribute to grant and development proposals across Lifelong Learning.
6. Coordination with the Department of Learning Operations to oversee contract development, execution, and monitoring systems. Leverage shared resources to evolve and grow capacity and reach of the IDEAL Center. Develop and refine contract fee structures and processes for IDEAL Center programs.
7. Develop and coordinate audience research and evaluation efforts to inform strategic planning and program/project management. Advise on, contribute to, and support research and evaluation efforts to maintain data-driven decisions that will improve STEM equity at SMM.
8. Nurture and sustain internal relationships to collaborate across divisions/departments in the development of program and business plans that attend to both mission and margin.
9. Provide strategic direction and guidance for IDEAL Center and Lifelong Learning operations functions including instruction, operations, materials, and administration.
10. Work closely with the rest of Lifelong Learning Leadership to track and manage financial performance of the IDEAL Center. Contribute to SMM budget/financial work groups and systems implementation.
11. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Competencies

1. Communication: Expresses oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others and ensures that information is shared with others who should be informed.
2. Collaboration: Develops, maintains, and strengthens partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.
3. Customer Service: Demonstrates an understanding of the SMM mission by ensuring that their own interactions with internal and external customers consistently support the mission.
4. Fostering an Inclusive Community: Contributes to a museum environment, and people, that reflect and respond to the diverse needs and cultures of our community (internal and external).
5. Results Orientation: Focuses on providing a best in class visitor experience through work outcomes by meeting personal and organizational work objectives.
6. Management: Coaches and develops employees by providing feedback, development opportunities, and work direction while creating a sense of connection and belonging amongst staff and volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education: Demonstrated knowledge of STEM education best practices and pedagogy in formal and informal environments. Knowledge of best practices for STEM Equity and Inclusion in learning and instruction. Training in leadership skills required to lead a diverse and talented team of educators. Knowledge of education programs and curriculum development for a range of audiences in formal and informal settings.

2. Experience: Leading professional development programs and staff, non-profit management, project management, grant writing, program development for informal and formal settings, STEM equity and inclusion. Demonstrated experience supporting staff to research, develop, and deliver programs that explore complex ideas with audiences of adult learners. Demonstrated ability to read, understand, interpret, and apply ideas from academic texts. Experience working with a variety of identity/cultural groups on creating equitable and inclusive environments.

3. Work Environment: Requires ability to work year-round with a semi-flexible schedule. Occasional nation-wide multi night travel; extended hours during periods of intense activity.

The deadline to apply is Oct 12th 2026.