BALBOA PARK LEARNING INSTITUTE
Position Description: Manager, Curriculum & Learning Experience
August 2015

OVERVIEW
The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership is seeking a full-time Manager, Curriculum & Learning Experience. The successful candidate will have experience in curriculum writing for and the implementation of professional development programs. This person has the ability to design and deliver curriculum for online and in-person trainings with specific strategic learning objectives and outcomes with an emphasis in guest experiences, arts, science, and cultural institutions. Our Manager, Curriculum & Learning Experience will have the ability to seek and facilitate collaborative partnerships and establish opportunities to demonstrate the Learning Institutes progress and achievements in an effort to drive the development and implementation of the Online Learning Portal and Learning Institute as a learning lab in Balboa Park.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership (BPCP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2003 to facilitate collaboration among the many arts, science and cultural institutions located in San Diego’s historic Balboa Park. Our 29 member institutions vary in size and type and include 17 museums, the San Diego Zoo, several performing arts organizations, cultural centers, and gardens. Although the Park’s cultural institutions are our primary audience, many of our programs are open to other relevant organizations and professionals.

The Balboa Park Learning Institute (BPLI) is a program of BPCP and utilizes the collective resources of the Partnership to provide innovative and collaborative learning opportunities to professionals, volunteers, and organizations in Balboa Park, as well as the greater San Diego region and beyond. BPLI launched in 2008 and continues to develop programs with support from grants and earned income. BPLI programs: 1) advance knowledge and skills, 2) build networks and community, 3) promote collaborative learning and experimentation, and 4) affect individual, organizational, and Park-wide change.

PROGRAM SCOPE
BPLI is currently implementing a new online learning management system (Online Learning Portal) to deliver Balboa Park on-boarding programs, develop webinar series of best practices leveraging Balboa Park leaders, and collaborate with professionals to create and deliver online programs with the goal to reach a national audience. Our annual conference, Smith Leadership Symposium focuses on delivering relevant, on-trend content to Balboa Park employees, volunteers, and trustees, along with the broader museum, arts, and culture audience in Southern California and beyond. Various national webinars and online program series will be essential leading up to and contributing to the annual content of the Smith Leadership Symposium.

BPLI is focused on establishing a sustainable model for developing, implementing, and marketing curriculum and programs through the Online Learning Portal. We also explore and manage innovative programs that utilize Balboa Park as a learning laboratory with local and national partners – our current project brings together four Park institutions in partnership with San Diego State University researchers to explore mathematics in informal education.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Manager, Curriculum & Learning Experience will work closely with the two other members of the BPLI team. We function as a dynamic group reporting directly to the Executive Director of BPCP. Duties include:

 

Curriculum Development

• Conducting research for the creation of online and in-person programs
  
• Teaching programs
  
• Creating and establishing learning goals and objectives for online and in-person programs      
  
• Researching and facilitating opportunities for in-person trainings including but not limited to customer experience
  
• Seeking out professional partnerships to co-develop curriculum specifically for the Online Learning Portal
  
• Working with the Manager, Digital Learning and Production to prioritize and develop online programs
  
• Establishing methods of delivering learning outcomes using appropriate technology

Annual Conferences & Programs

• Planning and implementation of a cohesive program for the annual conferences and programs.    
  
• Working closely with the Manager, Programs and Communication to establish goals and outcomes for annual conferences and programs      
  
• Developing webinars and programs leading up to annual conferences
  
• Developing and analyzing assessment/evaluation information from programs and annual conferences to strategically plan for future programs

Collaborations

• Managing relationships, outcomes and grants between universities or organizations and Balboa Park arts, science, and cultural institutions
  
• Managing collaborative grant outcomes and data collection
  
• Collaborating with Balboa Park institutions and outside organizations to strategically drive BPLI’s mission
  
• Seeking and establishing professional partnerships to support program dissemination

Outreach

• Applying for opportunities to present at conferences to help disseminate information regarding BPLI’s Online Learning Portal and program development
  
• Seeking and assisting with grant-writing opportunities to further drive content development
  
• Working with the Manager, Digital Learning and Production and Manager, Programs and Communication to design informational presentations for conferences and meetings
  
• Attending Park-wide meetings and representing BPLI’s learning development efforts

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
A qualified Manager, Curriculum & Learning Experience will enter the position with over five years of curriculum development and facilitation and/or demonstrated ability in:

• Educational design: curriculum development, assessment, collaborative learning, and adult learning
  
• Teaching professional development programs
  
• Program management and evaluation
  
• Understanding of complexities of and contemporary issues in the professional practices of museums, arts, cultural, hospitality, informal learning and/or nonprofits
  
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite for Mac or PC, familiarity with database operation, and aptitude for utilizing web technologies
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication with high-level interpersonal skills
  
• Experience collaborating, building partnerships, and fostering community
  
• Problem-solving and creative thinking skills; attention to detail
  
• Excellent time management, prioritizing, planning and organization skills
  
• Ability to work part of a dynamic team and adaptable

Additional experience in the following a plus:

• Experience with Articulate Studio and Storyline, PowerPoint or other presentation creator
  
• Experience with online learning platforms
  
• Knowledge of Balboa Park organizations
  
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) 
  

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study, understanding of adult learning theory and principles; demonstrated ability in collaborative leadership along with visionary development and effective implementation of learning programs.

Special content expertise pertaining to: new strategies and technologies for audience engagement, the evolution of customer service and the experience economy, and/or learning management systems.
 

COMPENSATION
Position type: Full-time, 40 hours a week; Non-exempt

Balboa Park Cultural Partnership offers competitive compensation and benefits package including medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, professional development opportunities, discounts at select Balboa Park restaurants and shops, and free admission to member cultural institutions.
 

APPLY
Submit a cover letter and resume via e-mail to [log in to unmask] by close of business on September 18, 2015. Please put “BPLI Manager: <Insert your first initial and last name>” in the subject line. No phone calls please.

This job description is intended as an illustrative guide to the general job responsibilities and is not inclusive of every duty the employee is expected to perform. The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer.