APPLICATION SITE: recruiting2.ultipro.com

Description

The Vice President (VP) for Museum Operations is responsible for providing leadership to the Rocket Center by maintaining the strategic vision of the museum and carrying out a plan of action to achieve the museum’s goals and objectives.  This position requires an individual passionate about the mission of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center with an interest and knowledge in space history.  The candidate must have superb managerial, business, and communication skills.  The VP for Museum Operations will report directly to the CEO of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

General Responsibilities

• Guest Operations 
  • Guest Services
  • Volunteers and Docents Coordination
  • Membership Services
• Merchandise Operations 
  • Retail Sales
  • E-store Sales
  • Prepaid Sales Fulfillment
• Food Service Operations 
  • Camp Dining
  • Museum Dining
  • Kitchen
  • Catering
• Special Events

Essential Functions

Guest Operations

• Assess, build, and lead the overall quality of the guest experience and daily operations of the facility to ensure a premier experience for all.
• Create and sustain a welcoming environment for all guests and staff.
• Develop and ensure that department systems, procedures, and practices support effective operations while providing outstanding customer service.
• Implement assessment of the guest experience through constant evaluation of all aspects of Guest Services and provide regular analytical reports to the CEO and executive team.
• Manage operations budgets, including inventorying and replacing exhibit consumables.
• Develop new revenue opportunities and grow existing streams, together with a cross functional Museum team.
• Collaborate with the Facilities and Exhibit Maintenance department to ensure exhibits are in excellent condition, museum buildings and grounds are visually appealing, and entire campus is well-maintained and secure.
• Lead regular cross-team meetings to discuss timely operational details and logistics.
• Supervise and train customer service staff, including ticket desk staff, museum guides, and Museum managers.
• Regularly evaluate Museum operations and identify areas for improvement and cost savings.
• Liaise with the Education teams to support programs, field trips, and special visits.
• Oversee on-site details for visits by special-needs groups, corporate groups, and community partners.
• Support the Security department to ensure security of the museum campus, including buildings and grounds.
• Create contingency plans for overflow parking, maximum building capacity, and other needs for high visitation periods.
• Work with the Marketing department to support admissions programs and promotions, and process memberships.
• Recruit and manage volunteers and docents.
• Other duties as needed or required.

Merchandise Operations

• Develop and execute annual business plans to maximize revenue and profitability of the Retail division.
• Provide vision, direction, and leadership for a Retail General Manager with gift shops and online purchases.
• Inspire trust and motivate a retail organization and manage all relationships with the team.
• Collaborate with executive management to enhance brand services and deepen brand relationships. In collaboration with the other leadership members, define the supply priorities, marketing action plan and identify the market needs.
• Design and drive a clear operational strategy to support the network development.
• Maintain full profit and loss accountability, financial budgeting and forecasting for Retail. Responsible for the cost optimization of the Retail department and for the investment strategy to improve sales revenues.
• Identify future business needs and implement strategies to enhance brand performance.
• Review store environments and KPIs to identify opportunities and coach management team to take action and achieve goals.
• Recruit, develop, train, and retain retail leaders.
• Mentor and coach leaders to identify solutions and develop their managerial skills.
• Partner with HR to identify skill gaps and opportunities for staff development.

Food & Beverage Operations

• Ensure maximization of food and beverage revenues and profits and guest satisfaction to meet strategic business plans in alignment with goals.
• Implement programs and promotions focused on maximizing revenues in the operations. Implement comprehensive purchasing contracts that provide a quality product at the best possible price.
• Constantly monitor food and beverage operations for maximum sales growth and profit potential while maintaining guest satisfaction.
• Direct the development and monitoring of financial budgets, sales, and marketing strategies, and operations to produce both short-term and long-term profitability. Oversee the analysis of revenue reports, make necessary strategic changes to ensure maximum profitability and efficiency.
• Direct the department in reconceiving and/or repositioning of food and beverage concepts through food format, menu concepts, restaurant design and marketing, and specific activities to build business as needed.
• Constantly monitor national and regional F&B trends to ensure food and beverage operations does not fall behind its primary competitors.
• Work with the F&B team to develop distinctive or signature services and products that can provide a degree of separation from our competitors.
• Ensure the Food and Beverage Director and their managers are properly trained.
• Ensure the marketing and merchandising of our food and beverage outlets is occurring with an emphasis on delivering innovativeness and excitement to our guests.
• Direct the budget management for the department including ensuring budget is complete, accurate, and in line with goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.

Special Events

• Direct the planning, budgeting, and coordination of event operations before, during, and after assigned events.
• Ensures all logistical needs are communicated and coordinated with necessary services for the Event Security, Guest Services, Ticket Taking & Ushering, Parking, Food & Beverage, Ticket Office, Merchandise, and Custodial Departments.
• Communicate and disseminate event-related information to appropriate departments, vendors and others to ensure necessary levels of staffing coverage and overall event understanding.
• Prepare event estimates and budgets and ensures event expenses are submitted for each event assigned.
• Supports internal departments including ticket sales, marketing, and sponsorship.
• Create and assist in the development of event policies and procedures.
• Provides post event reports and recaps of event night incidents to identify trends and make recommendations for operational improvements and efficiencies.
• Oversight of staffing as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:Yes

Travel Required:Yes

Requirements:

Required Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s Degree in business, museum studies, or related field.
• At least 5 years of high-level museum management experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

A Master’s Degree in business, museum studies, or related field.