Director of Early Childhood Learning & Development

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh seeks a Director of Early Childhood Learning & Development to provide strategic leadership for learning from birth through age eight and the adults who care for them. This role champions play-based, research-informed approaches and positions the museum as a leader in early childhood education, family engagement, and informal learning.

Working across departments, you will develop innovative experiences, cultivate partnerships, and ensure exhibits, programs and

Qualifications

• Doctorate or advanced degree in an early childhood related field preferred. Substitution of years of experience may be considered equivalent to formal educational training.
• 6-8 years of experience in a related educational setting required, including direct experience with children and families.
• Experience and enthusiasm for working with young children and families; museum setting experience a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice in early childhood settings.
• Strong problem-solving, flexible thinking, and ability to adjust expectations and actions with an open mind.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement programming for early childhood learning that aligns with the museum's mission, priorities, and community impact goals.
• Collaborate with the Creative Experiences and Experiential Learning teams to shape the redesign of the Nursery area.
• Identify emerging trends, research, and innovations in early childhood development and translate them into museum practice.
• Activate the Nursery exhibit and spaces with playful learning experiences for young children and families.
• Lead expanded programming focused on caregivers and childcare professionals.
• Serve as an internal thought leader on learning, child development, and family engagement.
• Build partnerships with schools, early learning providers, universities, libraries, and healthcare organizations.

Skills

Dependable

Adaptable

Good communication

Organized

Initiative

Education

Doctorate or advanced degree

Job description

Job Title: Director of Early Childhood Learning & Development

Reports to: Senior Director of Experiential Learning & Partnerships

FLSA Status: Exempt/Salaried

Classification: Full Time

Compensation: $65,000.00

About the Museum

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh provides innovative and inclusive museum experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity and curiosity for all learners. We forge connections with artists, community partners and neighbors to work on behalf of children, youth and families. We have a vision to transform education. We believe people of all ages can benefit from different types of learning experiences.

Benefits

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees that includes: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account. Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Holidays, and Floating Holidays). 403(b) Savings Retirement Plan. Life Insurance, Short Term and Long Term Disability. Free Museum membership. Parking at a discounted rate.

Position Summary

The Director of Early Childhood Learning & Development provides strategic leadership for the museum's vision, philosophy, and practice related to learning and development for children from birth through age eight (8) and the adults who care for them. This position champions research-informed, play-based learning experiences that position the museum as a leader in early childhood education, family engagement, and informal learning.

Working collaboratively across the organization, the Director develops innovative learning experiences, cultivates strategic partnerships, and ensures that exhibits, programs, and professional learning opportunities reflect current research, equity-centered practices, and the developmental needs of young children. The Director serves as a thought leader and ambassador for the museum, representing the organization in local, regional, and national conversations about early childhood learning.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Essential Job Duties

• Develop and implement programming and engagement approaches for early childhood learning that align with the museum's mission, strategic priorities, and community impact goals.
• Work with the Creative Experiences and Experiential Learning teams to shape the redesign of the Museum's early childhood area, the Nursery.
• Identify emerging trends, research, and innovations in early childhood development and translate them into museum practice.
• Activate the Museum's Nursery exhibit and other spaces with playful learning experiences, hands-on manipulatives, and programming for young children and families.
• Implement expanded museum programming focused on reaching caregivers and childcare professionals.
• Serve as an internal thought leader on issues related to learning, child development, and family engagement.
• Collaborate with exhibit designers, educators, researchers, and community partners to create developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and engaging museum experiences.
• Ensure learning experiences support curiosity, creativity, kindness, problem-solving, social-emotional development, communication, and joyful play.
• Integrate culturally responsive and accessible practices throughout educational offerings.
• Translate research and evaluation findings into practical strategies that strengthen visitor experiences and organizational learning.
• Provide leadership and mentorship for education staff and cross-functional teams.
• Develop professional learning opportunities that strengthen practitioner knowledge of child development, facilitation, and family engagement.
• Build and sustain partnerships with schools, early learning providers, universities, libraries, healthcare organizations, and community agencies.
• Pursue opportunities for collaborative research, grant-funded initiatives, and thought leadership.

Additional Responsibilities

• Develop and manage departmental budgets and resources.
• Support fundraising efforts through grant development, donor engagement, and program storytelling.
• Ensure educational initiatives align with organizational priorities, operational capacity, and financial sustainability.
• Participate on one Museum committee.
• Act as Director on Duty periodically on weekends.

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time based on business needs and in support of the mission of Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.

Job Qualifications

Education

• Doctorate or other advanced degree in an early childhood related field preferred. Substitution of years of experience may be considered equivalent to formal educational training.

Experience

• 6-8 years of experience in a related educational setting required, including direct experience interacting with children and families.
• Experience and enthusiasm for working with young children and families required; experience with teaching or administration in a museum setting a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice in early childhood settings.
• Strong problem-solving experience, flexible thinking, and ability to adjust expectations and actions with an open mind

Skills

• Must be dependable, adaptable, and a good communicator.
• Highly organized with excellent communication skills.
• Takes initiative and is able to work with a team but also work independently.

Physical Requirements & Equipment Usage

• Mobility: Ability to move throughout museum spaces to interact with visitors, staff, and partners.
• Lifting and Carrying: May occasionally move furniture, equipment, and supplies weighing up to approximately 35 pounds.
• Manual Dexterity: May use a variety of tools and equipment, including hand tools, power tools, and other equipment, as required to perform job duties.
• Communication: The person in this position frequently communicates with staff, guests/visitors, and partners. Must be able to exchange accurate information.

Work Environment

• Duties are performed in a museum environment with regular interaction with the public, children, and families

Clearances

• FBI fingerprint results, PA Child Abuse History Certificate (Act 33), and PA State Criminal Record Check (Act 34) are required.

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic or trait protected by local, state, or federal law.