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Featured
Posted August 15, 2026
Director
spectrUM Discovery Area Director
Missoula, Montana
Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000
Job Description
The University of Montana spectrUM Discovery Area invites applications for a Director who is committed to spectrUM’s mission of igniting a passion for discovery through science The director will supervise an associate director, outreach coordinator, and a program head and will indirectly oversee all of spectrUM’s 20-35 full-time, part-time, seasonal, and student employees. This position requires the incumbent to possess or develop strong working knowledge of UM administrative systems as well as UM’s research and creative scholarship community.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for spectrUM, stewarding its mission, vision, and strategic planning and ensuring alignment with the University of Montana’s research, education, and public engagement priorities.
- Lead and oversee the development and delivery of high-quality educational programming, including museum operations, camps, field trips, educator professional development, internships, exhibits, special events, and mobile programming serving rural and Tribal communities across Montana.
- Secure and manage federal, state, and private foundation funding to develop, expand, and sustain programs, partnerships, and initiatives; oversee grant projects and ensure effective implementation and stewardship of awarded funds.
- Advance public engagement with University research and STEM, collaborating with faculty and research programs to develop exhibits, educational experiences, and broader impacts activities that connect the public with science, research, and STEM role models.
- Lead spectrUM’s development and fundraising efforts, cultivating relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, and community donors; oversee annual fundraising campaigns; and collaborate with the UM Foundation and Friends of spectrUM Discovery Area to advance organizational goals.
- Ensure the long-term financial and operational sustainability of spectrUM by evaluating programming, staffing, revenue-generating opportunities, and development strategies and implementing adjustments as needed.
- Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with University programs, community organizations, schools, libraries, Tribal communities, peer science museums, and other regional and national organizations to expand spectrUM’s reach, impact, and opportunities for collaboration.
- Represent and advocate for spectrUM and the importance of science education and research, communicating its mission and impact to the Montana community and broader science museum field through public engagement, professional presentations, publications, conferences, and collaborative initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Three years of leadership experience in a museum, informal education organization, or related field, including experience supervising and mentoring employees.
- Commitment to connecting people from all backgrounds with science.
- Demonstrated success with grant writing, fundraising, marketing, budget management, donor engagement, public relations, and event management.
- Experience as a formal or informal educator, including the ability to facilitate spectrUM’s educational programs as needed.
- Knowledge of and interest in supporting Montana’s Indian Education for All constitutional mandate.
- Knowledge of current issues, trends, and practices in the museum and informal science education fields.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, partners, donors, and the public.
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm for learning, adaptability, initiative, and continuous improvement.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing budgets of $1,000,000 or more.
- Experience working within a university setting and/or within other large organizations.
- Experience leading capital fundraising campaigns.
- Experience with exhibit installation and development.
- Experience collaborating effectively with partners in rural and tribal communities.
- Experience developing major grant proposals and leading grant projects.
Additional Information
Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
View the complete description.
Posted August 5, 2026
People & Culture Partner
Pacific Science Center
Seattle, Washington
Salary Range: $190,000 – $200,000
About Pacific Science Center
Pacific Science Center (PacSci) ignites curiosity in every child and fuels a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. Located on a historic, 7-acre campus in heart of Seattle, PacSci welcomes approximately 500,000 visitors annually through hands-on exhibits, live science experiences, planetarium shows, and educational programming, and serving more than 100,000 students throughout our state with Science on Wheels. Pacific Science Center operates with an annual budget of approximately $20million. This is an onsite leadership role operating on a Tuesday-Saturday schedule to align with peak campus visitor traffic.
Position Summary
Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as an executive leader driving operational excellence, physical and technical infrastructure integrity, and guest experience quality, while championing a People & Culture strategy that strengthens organizational resilience and team engagement across PacSci. Serving as a key strategic partner to the CEO and CFO, the COO holds executive accountability for the Operations division within PacSci’s five-pillar functional governance structure (Finance, Operations, Exhibits & Education, Marketing & Revenue, and Philanthropy). The COO aligns all daily operational activities, policies, and cross-functional teams with institutional mission goals, budget parameters, safety standards, and long-term strategic plans.
The Opportunity
PacSci is entering a pivotal period of operational renewal. The incoming COO will play a defining role in modernizing enterprise systems, strengthening campus infrastructure, and building a high-performing operations division to support the Center’s next chapter of growth. As a core member of the Executive Leadership Team, the COO serves as the primary driver of internal communications and leads through a layered management structure of Department Directors across functional areas providing overarching strategic vision, executive accountability, and resource alignment while empowering operational leaders to manage daily department activities.
Key Roles & Areas of Ownership
The COO provides executive leadership and strategic direction across eight core operational departments:
- Internal Communications: Operational change management, messaging, organizational alignment, and staff communications.
- People & Culture: HR strategy, talent acquisition, total rewards/compensation, regulatory compliance, employee engagement, and workplace culture.
- Facilities & Campus Operations: Physical campus infrastructure, HVAC/building automation systems, vendor/contract management, capital projects, and site optimization.
- Custodial Services: Environmental sanitation, daily campus readiness, public space presentation, and cleanliness standards.
- Health & Safety: Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) compliance, regulatory reporting, emergency preparedness, and site risk management.
- Security: Visitor and staff safety, site access control, emergency response, and asset protection.
- Technology: Enterprise IT infrastructure, administrative systems, network security, and operational software.
- Vehicles & Fleet: Fleet logistics, vehicle maintenance, and safety compliance supporting mobile educational programming.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Executive Leadership & Strategic Alignment: Partner with the CEO, CFO, and executive leadership to establish long-term institutional strategy, annual operating plans, and capital budgets. Present operational metrics to the Board of Directors as requested.
- Operations Management & Campus Readiness: Ensure seamless execution of daily physical facility operations, safety protocols, and custodial practices to deliver exceptional, accessible guest and employee experience.
- Financial & Budgetary Discipline: Direct operating and capital budgets across all assigned operational departments in close partnership with the CFO; drive cost management, vendor negotiations, and resource allocation.
- Systems & Technology Modernization: Oversee the evolution and security of enterprise technology systems, administrative tools, and operational workflows.
- People & Culture Oversight: Guide People & Culture leaders to cultivate an inclusive, compliant, and highly engaged workplace environment centered on trust and strong inter-departmental communication.
- Risk Management & Compliance: Ensure organizational compliance with local, state, and federal laws, employment regulations, EHS guidelines, and emergency management protocols.
- Organizational Change Leadership: Serve as an operational anchor guiding leadership teams and staff through evolving structural, technological, and procedural transformations.
- Other Duties: Perform other executive-level duties as assigned by the President & CEO.
Position Requirements:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, Public Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, or equivalent) preferred.
- Leadership Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive senior executive operational experience within a non-profit, cultural institution, science center, museum, public venue, or complex multi-faceted organization.
- Director-Level Management: Proven experience leading through a layered management structure rather than direct individual-contributor supervision.
- Multi-Disciplinary Scope: Direct oversight experience across Facilities, HR/People Operations, Safety/Security, and IT.
- Financial Acumen: Demonstrated success in managing multi-million dollar operational and capital budgets.
Knowledge Skills & Abilities:
- Strong executive acumen with a track record of translating strategic vision into scalable operational workflows.
- Deep functional knowledge of facility operations, enterprise IT systems, public safety protocols, and employment law compliance.
- Exceptional interpersonal and change-management leadership skills.
- High analytical rigor, sound judgment, and resilience under shifting priorities.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
- Work Location: This is a 100% on-site role based at PacSci’s Seattle campus w/ occasional hybrid arrangements.
- Campus Presence: Requires regular movement across a historic, 150,000-square-foot campus, including exhibit floors, office areas, and mechanical/facilities spaces (some of which are accessible only via stairs).
- Work Environment: Standard office and public venue environment. Occasional presence in mechanical, utility, or construction spaces is required for inspections, project management, and vendor meetings.
- Schedule: This role is a Tuesday-Saturday schedule, w/standard business hours including periodic evening or weekend availability required for executive events, major capital projects, or emergency responses.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position, and the level of knowledge and skills typically required. It does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee, and it is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.
Employee Assistance Program
Pacific Science Center stands with those who are courageously fighting against hate, racism, and injustice. We recognize that not being racist is not sufficient. We must be actively anti-racist, and we commit to doing so. We prioritize inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in everything we do. Curiosity and critical thinking are essential to the dialogue and changes that need to happen. Pacific Science Center complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us at HRDepartment@pacsci.org.
View the complete description.
Posted August 5, 2026
Director
Schiele Museum of Natural History
Gastonia, North Carolina
Salary Range: $139,000 – $150,000
The City of Gastonia, North Carolina, is seeking a visionary and experienced museum professional to serve as the next Director of The Schiele Museum of Natural History. This executive leadership position oversees the Museum’s strategic direction, operations, staff, programs, collections, financial resources, partnerships, and community engagement. Working collaboratively with City leadership and the Museum Board of Trustees, the Director will build upon the institution’s distinguished legacy while advancing innovation, organizational growth, and its mission of inspiring curiosity and understanding of science and the natural world.
View the complete description.