School Programme Unit Head World-Class Art Destination

BLR WORLD; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

BLR WORLD invites applications for the Schools Programmes Unit Head in Abu Dhabi. The role focuses on establishing relationships with k-12 educational institutions across the UAE and introducing outreach programs to enhance arts education and curriculum engagement.

Responsibilities include developing engagement strategies, budgeting for unit initiatives, recruiting and mentoring staff, and coordinating activities with academic partners and community groups to broaden audiences for the museum.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience delivering educational programs in museums or cultural institutions.
• Proven ability to design and implement educational programs.
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams.
• Project management and planning skills.
• Experience budgeting and tracking spending.
• Knowledge of audience development and museum education.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement engagement strategies to build partnerships with academic institutions and community groups.
• Prepare and manage the unit budget and oversee staffing, recruitment, and performance.
• Evaluate programs and report on future requirements with Education leadership.
• Supervise coordinators and volunteers in delivering educational programs to visitors and students.
• Cultivate relationships with K-12 educators and students across the UAE.

Skills

Arabic fluency

English fluency

Team leadership

Budgeting

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Museum Education, Cultural Studies, History and Museology or equivalent

Job description

About the Client

Our client is a landmark cultural institution located in Abu Dhabi dedicated to showcasing modern and contemporary art from across the world with a special focus on narratives from West Asia North Africa and South Asia. Designed to be a global platform for artistic dialogue it brings together visionary architecture ambitious curatorial programming and community engagement to inspire new ways of thinking. This institution is part of Abu Dhabis broader mission to cultivate a dynamic cultural landscape and strengthen the emirates role as a leading hub for arts and creativity.

Job Purpose

The role of the Schools Programmes Unit Head has responsibility for the establishment and management of relationships with k-12 educational institutions in Abu Dhabi and the UAE and the introduction of outreach programs designed to enhance an understanding and curriculum in the arts academic institutions community members officials and other non-profit organizations by developing the museums university & community engagement strategy and priorities establishing partnerships creating university and community engagement opportunities managing and coordinating all activities linked to engaging these defined audience segments with educational and cultural activities and programs.

Managerial Responsibilities

• Oversees the development and implementation of engagement strategies and plans of the museum for the development of partnerships and relationships with academic institutions and community groups to build awareness and new audiences for the museum.
• Prepares and manages the budget for all unit initiatives and programmes.
• Manages the staff of the unit including recruitment & selection performance management mentoring & coaching career development guidance setting objectives and KPIs of their direct reports.
• Evaluate educational programs and generate reports to discuss future requirements with the Education Manager and Senior Public Programs Manager to ensure continuous improvement and success of initiatives.
• Supervision of Education Coordinators and volunteers in the delivery of educational programs and services to visitors and students.

Responsibilities

Pre-Opening

• Support the Education Programmes Section Head & the Departmental Director in the preparation of the short and medium term plans for the unit in the run up the opening opening events and first year of operations and assist in establishing priorities methods policies and procedures for implementing programmes in alignment with the strategic vision mission and goals.
• Oversee the recruitment and selection of all staff of the Unit.
• Identify and develop partnerships and relationship with ADEK and k-12 educational companies and schools.

Outgoing

• Develop implement and evaluate engaging outreach programmes designed around museum careers for P -12 students.
• Work with the Interpretation team to ensure the preparation of all support materials including student and family guides educator guides and resource materials for the programmes.
• Liaising with ADEC / schools organizing tailor-made workshops for the students.
• Working with the Interpretation publications and marketing teams in the preparation of promotional copy and publication materials for the educational programs.
• Assisting in the training of Visitor Services Coordinators enabling the provision of educational tours of exhibitions.
• Implement a strategy for continued relationship opportunities with educational institutions consisting of regular updates meetings and special events sessions for educators.
• Oversees the preparation of progress and status reports by analysing and summarizing the information trends and forecasts of visits.
• Contribute to the development of departmental plans which project funding feasibility staffing and related constraints of the department ensuring the availability of required resources to carry out the strategy and initiatives.
• Research the provision of K-12 education programming at other museums heritage sites and visitor attractions locally nationally and internationally.
• Supports the development and coordination of all programmes including research collection live publishing education and interpretive programs as required.
• Cultivates and maintains effective relationships with K-12 educators and students throughout the UAE.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Required Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience with at least 3 or more years experience in delivering an educational program for a museum or cultural institution or educational organization;
• Proven ability to design and implement educational programs
• Proven ability to lead / manage teams.
• Project management and planning skills.
• Experience budgeting and tracking spending.
• Experience in similar position in educational learning
• Knowledge of current practice in audience development and museum education
• Fluency in Arabic and English

Preferred Experience

• Working knowledge of health and safety procedures.
• Knowledge of education systems and practice in the UAE.
• Additional languages are highly desirable.

Required Education / Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Museum Education Cultural Studies History and Museology or equivalent.

Preferred Education

• Masters Degree in Museum Education Archaeology Cultural Studies History and Museology or equivalent.
• Teaching qualification (adults).