Director of Education and Visitor Experience

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO policy

Healthcare stipends

Job summary

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Richmond seeks a Director of Education and Visitor Experience to lead education and engagement initiatives that inspire learners of all ages. Shape the museum’s educational vision, develop programs, tours, and partnerships, and bring Black history to life for diverse audiences.

You’ll collaborate across teams, oversee curriculum design, support docent development, and manage the education budget, all while advancing inclusive learning

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Museum Studies, History, African American Studies, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 5+ years creating or leading educational programming in a museum or cultural setting.
• Strong understanding of Virginia Black history and African American experiences.
• Experience with interpretive storytelling, curriculum design, or public engagement.
• Excellent communication with diverse audiences; able to inspire learners.
• Comfort with digital tools and multimedia to enhance learning.
• Collaborative, team-oriented leadership; inclusive approach.
• Willingness to support weekend, evening, and special events.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage dynamic educational programs, workshops, and school partnerships aligned with SOLs.
• Oversee docent and volunteer training for engaging, accurate tours.
• Design interpretive materials and experiences that make Black history relevant and interactive.
• Coordinate in-school presentations and community outreach, including outdoor events.
• Monitor and update educational content for accuracy and alignment with the museum’s mission.
• Collaborate with curatorial, communications, and community teams to integrate exhibits into education.
• Evaluate program participation and impact using visitor feedback and metrics.
• Manage the education budget to ensure sustainable, creative, community-centered programs.
• Support museum-wide events and public programming to deepen visitor connections.

Skills

Educational program development

Public engagement

Communication

Digital tools

Collaboration

Flexibility

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education

Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies

Bachelor’s degree in History

Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA) is located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia and serves patrons of all ages. Founded by Carroll Anderson in 1981, BHMVA celebrates the rich culture and moving histories of African American people in Virginia and their contributions to our magnificent country. The museum’s mission is to provide, develop, and partner in the creation of educational resources, services, and opportunities to promote and advance understanding of the history and culture of Black people and African Americans in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For the last 40 years, BHMVA has achieved its mission by telling untold, and often forgotten, inspirational stories in the full context of American history so that there is a greater understanding of our history, leading to a more diverse and inclusive society.

A little bit about the role…

The Director of Education and Visitor Experience leads the museum’s education and engagement initiatives, ensuring every visitor - whether a student, family, or lifelong learner - leaves inspired and informed. This position shapes the museum’s educational vision, developing programs, tours, and partnerships that bring Black history and culture to life.

As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Education oversees curriculum design, manages interpretive programs, supports docent and volunteer development, and fosters meaningful connections between the museum and the community. This role requires someone who brings creativity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to accessible, inclusive learning experiences.

The Director of Education and Visitor Experience will be responsible for…

• Developing and managing dynamic educational programs, workshops, and school partnerships aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs).
• Overseeing docent and volunteer training to ensure engaging and accurate tours for all visitors.
• Designing interpretive materials and experiences that make Black history relevant, interactive, and resonant for diverse audiences.
• Coordinating in-school presentations and community outreach opportunities, including outdoor tabling and event partnerships.
• Monitoring and updating educational content to ensure historical accuracy and alignment with BHMVA’s mission.
• Collaborating with curatorial, communications, and community engagement teams to integrate exhibits, collections, and narratives into education initiatives.
• Evaluating program participation and impact through visitor feedback, attendance data, and other metrics.
• Managing the education budget to ensure programs are sustainable, creative, and community-centered.
• Supporting museum-wide events and public programming that deepen visitor connection and learning.

Along with a demonstrable passion for BHMVA’s mission, the strongest candidates will bring many of the professional experiences, knowledge and skills outlined below:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Education, Museum Studies, History, African American Studies, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 5+ years of experience developing or leading educational programming in a museum, cultural institution, or community setting.
• Strong understanding of Virginia’s Black history and the African American experience, including key figures, events, and cultural contributions.
• Experience with interpretive storytelling, curriculum design, or public engagement.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to inspire diverse audiences through education.
• Comfort using digital tools and multimedia to enhance learning experiences.
• A collaborative, team-oriented mindset and an inclusive leadership approach.
• Flexibility to support weekend, evening, and special event programming as needed.

You will receive bonus points for having…

• Experience managing education or visitor services teams.
• Knowledge of museum education best practices and accessibility standards.
• Familiarity with Richmond’s cultural and educational landscape.

Balance

• Inclusive Representation & Partnerships: Foster opportunities for diverse voices to be heard and included, ensuring every story is represented and every community has a seat at the table.

Presence

• In-House Programming & Community Engagement: Establish a robust presence through dynamic in-house programming, active participation in steering committees, and serving as connectors within the community.

Storytelling, Truth, and Narration

• Innovative Storytelling: Utilize creative and innovative methods to uncover and share undertold stories. Amplify our collections through social media campaigns and curate continuous, themed local exhibitions to educate and inspire.

Strategic Collaborations & Partnerships

• Cultivate premier collaborations, exclusive partnerships, and influential committees that elevate our mission and broaden our impact.

Programming

• Community-Driven Programs: Develop and implement programs that resonate with and are driven by the Virginia community, ensuring relevance and engagement.

Call to Action

• Active Community Involvement: Encourage and sustain continuous community involvement, inviting everyone to contribute to and benefit from our initiatives.

Direct Impact

• Engagement & Support: Focus on retaining members, increasing subscriptions, and optimizing rental opportunities to ensure our sustainability and direct impact on the community.

In addition to a competitive salary, dynamic team and supportive work environment, you will also receive:

• PTO policy, with additional time off for educational pursuits
• Healthcare stipends for medical, dental, and vision insurance

Sandbox and BHMVA are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, physical and mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/assignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, protected veteran status, or any other status prohibited by applicable national, federal, state or local law.