Executive Director – KidsWork Children’s Museum

Village of New Lenox; New Lenox (IL); On-site; USD 81,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

KidsWork Children's Museum is seeking an experienced Executive Director to lead the organization under the Village of New Lenox. The role drives the mission, oversees operations, finances and staff, and shapes engaging exhibits and programs for children and families.

The executive leader will build partnerships, increase memberships and admissions, and ensure a welcoming visitor experience while guiding the museum toward its next chapter of growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in museum studies, public administration, business or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of management experience; or equivalent combination of training and/or experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Financial proficiency. Ability to understand financial statements, provide meaningful reports and metrics and create the annual budget.
• Experience with oversight of maintaining facilities, equipment and exhibits.
• Experience with marketing including print, media and social networks.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership to the museum, ensuring efficient operations and an exceptional visitor experience.
• Responsible for creating partnerships and collaborating with local corporate organizations, foundations, public sector leaders, non‑profits and key supporters to advance the direction of KidsWork Children’s Museum.
• Assist in the development of a clear and strategic vision for the museum.
• Prepare annual budget.
• Foster a culture of excellence, teamwork and continuous improvement by ensuring smooth operational management of administration and program planning and events.
• Develop and oversee innovative and engaging educational programs and exhibits that align with the museum’s goals.
• Responsible for promoting admissions and memberships.
• Maximize profitability of earned revenue sources, including admissions, memberships, classes, field trips and special events.

Skills

Communication

Financial acumen

Facilities/Exhibits oversight

Educational programs development

Marketing & outreach

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in museum studies, public administration, business or related field

Job description

KidsWork Children’s Museum is seeking an experienced, innovative, and energetic Executive Director to lead our organization into its next chapter.

As our Executive Director you will…

• Lead and grow a beloved community institution

• Build community partnerships that expand the museum’s impact

• Oversee Museum operations, finances, and staff

• Develop engaging exhibits, programs, and events

• Increase memberships, admissions, and community participation

• Create an exceptional experience for every visitor

• Help shape the future of learning and play for local children and families

• This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on children and families while helping shape the future of one of New Lenox’s most beloved community institutions.

• *Please note that KidsWork Children’s Museum is a division of the Village of New Lenox.

• The information in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature of work performed by the employee within this classification. It is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a complete inventor of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of the employee assigned to this job.
• Position: KidsWork Executive Director
• Salary Range: $81,160 to $115,517
• Status: Full Time
• Days/Hours: Mon — Fri 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (Days and hours may vary)
• Reports to: Community Engagement Director

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTION

• The Executive Director will oversee the museum’s operation and act as the primary driver of the organizational mission: a cultural institution that brings children, families and the community together to engage in fun, hands-on, interactive play to nurture life-long learning and discovery. Following strategic direction from the Village of New Lenox Board of Trustees, this position is the principal management and administrative position of Kids Work Children’s Museum.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide effective leadership to the museum, ensuring efficient operations and an exceptional visitor experience.

• Responsible for creating partnerships and collaborating with local corporate organizations, foundations, public sector leaders, non‑profits and key supporters to advance the direction of KidsWork Children’s Museum.

• Assist in the development of a clear and strategic vision for the museum.

• Prepare annual budget.

• Foster a culture of excellence, teamwork and continuous improvement by ensuring smooth operational management of administration and program planning and events.

• Develop and oversee innovative and engaging educational programs and exhibits that align with the museum’s goals.

• Responsible for promoting admissions and memberships.

• Maximize profitability of earned revenue sources, including admissions, memberships, classes, field trips and special events.

• Oversee the maintenance and improvement of the museum’s physical infrastructure, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for visitors.

• Hire, mentor and develop museum staff.

• Ensure all records are accurate and timely to include payroll, staff schedules and personnel changes.

• Performs related tasks or other duties as assigned.

DESIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Financial proficiency. Ability to understand financial statements, provide meaningful reports and metrics and create the annual budget.

• Experience with oversight of maintaining facilities, equipment and exhibits.

• Experience with creation of childhood educational programs and exhibits.

• Experience with marketing including print, media and social networks.

DESIRED EDUCATION AND/OR WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in museum studies, public administration, business or related field. A minimum of 5 years of management experience; or equivalent combination of training and/or experience.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The general work environment is located within the children’s museum and requires exposure to loud noises (including sirens, beeping, buzzing and other assorted mechanical sounds) and flashing lights. Occasionally must lift and carry objects weighing up to twenty‑five pounds. Performing the duties of this job requires the employee to talk, hear, sit, type, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms and stoop or kneel.
• The Village of New Lenox is an equal opportunity employer. Village policy prohibits discrimination and harassment against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related medical conditions, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. In addition, the Village of New Lenox is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees in accordance with applicable law.