THE ORGANIZATION:
Mission Statement
We aspire to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone by creating fun, memorable experiences, because we value science as an indispensable tool for understanding our world, accessibility and inclusiveness, and enriching people's lives.
Core Values
Science as an indispensable tool to understand our world
Accessibility and inclusiveness
Enriching people’s lives
About the California Science Center
A national and international leader in science education and informal learning, the California Science Center incorporates a dynamic museum with free general admission, robust educational programming including a professional development center for educators, and a neighborhood K-5 elementary school, to improve public understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). With an average of over 2 million guests each year, including an average of 300,000 visiting school or youth groups, the California Science Center now ranks among the ten most-visited museums in North America and the most-visited museum in the United States outside of New York and Washington, D.C.
The California Science Center is advancing one of the most transformative museum projects in the nation, which will build an iconic destination for Los Angeles and inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. Construction is underway to build the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, the permanent home for the Space Shuttle Endeavour, long-envisioned in Phase III of the Science Center’s 30-year Master Plan. The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will dramatically expand the footprint and impact of the California Science Center, adding 200,000 square feet to the existing 600,000 sq. ft. facility. It will include three multi-level galleries –Aviation, Space and Shuttle – spanning four floors and covering 100,000 square feet of exhibit space. It will also house a new Special Exhibits Gallery and an Events Center that will host the California Science Center's exciting lineup of popular changing exhibitions, which has previously included the Western Hemisphere premiere of Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies and the world premiere of King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh.
The California Science Center is located in Exposition Park, the crossroads of the Los Angeles community, just south of downtown and across the street from the University of Southern California. The surrounding community offers a diverse cultural experience, classic architecture, park-like grounds, world-class museums, cafés, entertainment and more.
For more information, please visit www.californiasciencecenter.org.
THE POSITION:
Under the direction of the President & Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Director, Exhibits (DDE), is responsible for high level of authority over all related aspects of existing and new exhibits. As a key member of the Science Center’s executive leadership team, the DDE reviews, updates, and implements policies related to the design, development, fabrication, and evaluation of all the museum’s exhibits. The DDE actively participates in strategic and long-term planning and provides leadership to drive the mission forward. Supervising a team of 26, with direct reports to include five Curators, the Exhibitions Technical Director, and the Director of Special Exhibits.
Exhibits in development include the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center which will nearly double the California Science Center’s educational exhibit areas with an impressive artifact collection of aircraft and spacecraft, integrated with hands-on exhibits to encourage guests of all ages to investigate scientific and engineering principles of atmospheric flight and the exploration of the universe. It will also provide a fitting permanent home for Endeavour, one of only three remaining flown space shuttle orbiters and the only one of these national treasures on the West Coast. Endeavour’s awe-inspiring ‘ready-to-launch’ 20-story vertical configuration, complete with solid rocket boosters and an external tank, will be the world’s only display of an authentic space shuttle system.
In addition to the Air and Space Center, the Science Center has numerous other existing and future exhibit projects in different phases of development, including:
The DDE performs the following essential duties:
Exhibit Development
Organizational and Executive Leadership
Fiscal Administration
External Affairs
TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS DESIRED:
The DDE will be an innovative and collaborative leader who is committed to and enthusiastic about providing science education to all. The successful candidate will have proven success in exhibit design and development at a leading museum. With strong conceptual and analytical abilities, the DDE must be a strategic thinker and able to analyze problems, measure performance, evaluate results, and identify alternative solutions. In addition, the candidate identified should have solid technical, organizational, and administrative skills, with keen attention to detail. The DDE should be goal-oriented, well-disciplined, and a servant leader who can create systems and procedures and be able to implement them effectively. This position requires the ability to analyze contracts to arrive at mission-appropriate solutions. The individual must be able to adapt to a fast-paced environment and thrive in a project-oriented workplace while managing a team.
The DDE should have outstanding interpersonal skills and be a transparent, effective, and persuasive communicator, both verbally and in writing. The DDE must operate with a collaborative work model. The individual should therefore be diplomatic yet decisive, showing solid listening skills and considering input from various constituencies before making decisions. The ability to earn the trust and confidence of colleagues at all levels inside and outside the organization is essential. The DDE will be responsible for leading and directing staff, fostering teamwork, and effectively collaborating with other stakeholders.
CAREER TRACK LEADING TO THIS POSITION:
The DDE will be a seasoned leader with at least 10-15 years of broad experience in exhibit development and execution of projects. The preferred candidate will have at least five years of experience in a senior leadership position managing exhibits, curators, and budgets for a complex organization. The successful candidate should have an appreciation for developing communication and experience with exhibits for all to comprehend. Experience working in curatorial, education, or exhibit development will be preferred. Candidates with experience working in museums, zoos, aquariums, theme parks, and design firms will be considered.
EDUCATION:
A Ph.D. is preferred. Candidates with relevant work experience will be considered.
COMPENSATION:
The DDE will be an employee of the State of California. The annual salary range is $152,386-173,015. Health and other state benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
This is a full-time exempt position with the expectation of regular in-person work during the week and availability for evening and weekend projects.