Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) is committed to providing STEM for all, with unique approaches to STEM education and workforce development that inspire future STEM professionals and the next generation of an increasingly STEM-engaged world. As Cleveland continues to rise, with plans to further increase public access, business, housing, education, and tourism on the lakefront, GLSC will be a central voice. The most recent strategic business plan is driving an exciting comprehensive campaign that is revitalizing our renown education programs, activating the guest experience with major new exhibition galleries and strong staffing, while also building our endowment to ensure a strong future. GLSC’s annual operating budget averages more than $7 million, including 40% contributed revenue, a growing strength of the organization as we near the completion of our comprehensive campaign. The annual operating budget includes more than 60% earned revenue, which is bolstered by summer camps, the café, store, parking garage, and the Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater— the world’s first giant dome cinema laser system. GLSC is home of the NASA Glenn Visitor Center and the 9th grade of Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s award-winning MC2 STEM High School.

For three years in a row (2022-2024), GLSC has been voted a top ten science museum in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice travel awards. Our organization has repeatedly launched innovative strategic initiatives that receive widespread recognition. Our Manufacturing Day program has become a national model. GLSC’s Robotics Initiative in collaboration with Cleveland Metropolitan School District is a year-round program that prepares students to compete in FIRST and to put their skills to use in transformative ways, like designing and building prosthetics for children. In February 2024, the Cleveland Creates Gallery presented by the Sherwin Williams Company, opened to the public, with an awe-inspiring exhibition focusing on the technology and workforce advances of the region. And in April 2024, GLSC welcomed nearly 40,000 guests to the 2024 Total Eclipse Fest, a science and arts festival presented with NASA Glenn Research Center and The Cleveland Orchestra to provide a once-in-a-lifetime event free to the community.

At GLSC, we embrace and encourage the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person unique. We consider diversity and inclusion essential for institutional excellence and fulfillment of our mission and vision. We believe our strength lies in the collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, ingenuity, self-expression, and unique capabilities. Our employees, volunteers, guests, and partners bring and invest these strengths in their daily experiences at Great Lakes Science Center.

The Vice President of Education provides vision, strategic direction, and leadership for the educational activities of GLSC. The position is responsible for a dynamic portfolio of STEM education programs and projects, including guest experiences that are inclusive for all, meaningful partnerships across our educational ecosystem, and innovative national collaborative grants. Working closely with the rest of the Executive Leadership Team, the Vice President of Education builds GLSC’s role as a community-focused organization, providing inspirational leadership and growth-mindset management for a team of expert educators who are lifelong learners that understand the balance of mission and margin. The ideal candidate is an experienced STEM education or science communication leader, with research and evaluation expertise, a proven track record in the field, and a positive approach to team-building and collaboration. The candidate should value working and leading in an environment that fosters a sense of fun, community service, and data-driven decision making. This is an opportunity to join a mission-oriented, experienced, and passionate leadership team that is successfully completing a comprehensive campaign, and actively envisioning the opportunities ahead as Cleveland transforms its downtown lakefront. Application details are available at https://greatscience.com/about/careers

The Vice President of Education leads and develops a passionate team of educators that provide a compelling range of educational activities in strong alignment with GLSC’s strategic business plan. The Vice President is responsible for ensuring the organization and our community are supported with research-based program design and implementation, evaluation, and staff training to ensure our audiences have a great STEM learning experience and provide a national model for excellence.

1. Maintains and strengthens a welcoming, supportive learning environment for GLSC’s diverse staff and guests.
2. Advocates for and oversees evaluation efforts that improve the quality of education programs and measure their impact.
3. Provides strong communication and builds partnerships with the preK-20 formal education community (including the 9th grade of the MC2STEM school, which is based at the Science Center), learning researchers, and other organizations in the local and national STEM learning ecosystem.
4. Oversees or leads the development and dissemination of content and learning experiences that meet or exceed state and national education standards for schools, assessment, and public programming.
5. Serves as an advocate for informal STEM education and science communication in general and disseminates and promotes the informal STEM education achievements of the Science Center.
6. Provides strong leadership to all Education Department staff, ensuring that individual responsibilities are well defined, communicated, and supervised while cultivating a positive team environment.
7. Works with other Executive Leadership Team members, especially Human Resources, to identify and mentor staff across the organization for career development and promotion opportunities.
8. Oversees Education Department forecast and budget activities, with a transparent approach across the Department, growing the forecasting skills of staff and bringing staff program expertise into the budgeting process. The Vice President is expected to meets fiscal goals and fulfill reporting commitments as needed on grants and other funding in close collaboration with the Executive Leadership Team.
9. Works closely with the Development team to identify funding opportunities for new and innovative education programs that fulfill the Science Center’s strategic business plan and helps advance the field.
10. Works closely with the Marketing team to develop compelling and accurate program advertising.
11. In collaboration with the President & CEO, works with the Board of Trustees on education-related efforts and general organizational initiatives.
12. Establishes communication norms to keep the Executive Leadership Team, GLSC staff, and the Board of Trustees current on education strategies, activities, and results.

Reporting Relationships:

The Vice President of Education will report to and work closely with the President & CEO, Dr. Kirsten Ellenbogen. For almost thirty years, she has been in the business of researching, developing, and leading learning experiences in science centers and other informal learning environments. In her work as the third President & CEO of GLSC, she has launched transformative strategic partnerships with education and corporate leaders to change the community’s narrative around advanced manufacturing and technology through STEM education for diverse middle-school youth and families. She began her work in museums at the Detroit Science Center as a Demonstrator and has worked at five museums and consulted for more than thirty. Her career is marked by extensive national collaborations and field-building activities with the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation. Her service in the community includes appointments to the North Coast Development Corporation and the Cleveland Water Alliance, where she serves as board chair.

The Vice President’s peers include the Vice Presidents of Development, Operations, and the GLSC Studio, as well as the Director of Finance, and the Senior Manager of Human Resources. The Education Department includes positions in operations, content, guest engagement, youth development, outreach, school programs, public programs, and camps.

Expected Hours of Work: A flexible onsite schedule that supports the organization’s daily operations and personal life balance, usually Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with adjusted hours for weekend and evening programs and events.

Please 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 with or without notice.

1. An advanced degree in science education, learning sciences, science communication or a related field is strongly preferred.
2. Ten years of leadership experience in education program development, non-profit management, evaluation, and development of grants and budgets. At least five years of staff leadership and management, with a proven track record of developing staff.
3. A passion, understanding, and strong commitment to the mission and vision of GLSC.
4. Ability to strongly represent GLSC and advocate for informal STEM education and science communication.
5. Experience working with children, youth, and families of diverse backgrounds and income levels.
6. Knowledge of the latest learning theories, STEM education or science communication research, and learning technologies.
7. Demonstrated success in setting and achieving annual, multi-year strategic goals.
8. Ability to implement financial plans and budgets, identify, secure, and ensure compliance with a variety of funding sources. 
9. Ability to write and edit compelling materials.
10. A personal style that is positive and supportive. Strong personal integrity and work ethic, as well as a sense of humor and perspective.
11. Proven success in managing and motivating a high-functioning diverse staff. 
12. Superior communication skills to express the mission and education program innovations with clarity, passion, and persuasion.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

This position is typically based in the Education Department offices and in GLSC’s program spaces and exhibit galleries. It may include occasional periods of working outdoors in varied weather conditions. The Vice President’s staff includes people who work regularly with chemicals and gases including, but not limited to, liquid nitrogen, dry ice, nitric acid, hydrogen, and oxygen. Training will be provided. 

Salary Range: $108,000-120,000 annually

• Free Parking
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays
• 403b Retirement savings plan with match
• Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Membership
• Northeastern Ohio Intermuseum Council (NEOIMC) membership

COVID-19 Safety and Guidelines

• Great Lakes Science Center is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our staff (paid and unpaid), and guests. In accordance with our COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all staff are required to be vaccinated and/or boosted against COVID-19. Reasonable accommodations will be made for those who cannot take the vaccine due to health or religious reasons.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

It is the policy of GLSC to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation to all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religious affiliation, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, immigration status, age, source of income, familial status, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, disability or any other basis protected by applicable