Aquarium Public Programs Manager

HEAL THE BAY Santa Monica, California, United States

About this position

Heal the Bay is looking for a full-time Public Programs Manager to support our Aquarium community programs, visitor experience, special events, and retail operations.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Aquarium’s Associate Director of Programs, the Public Programs Manager will fill the primary role of providing high quality customer service while creating public educational content and programming, as well as leading public program operations, special events, birthday parties, and retail operations. Leads a team of public programs associates, volunteers, and interns and prioritizes the organization’s strategic initiatives through collaborative communication internally and externally.

Essential Job Functions Include:

  • Manage public programs team including staff, interns, and volunteers by motivating, coaching, training and developing them towards optimum performance
  • Develop skills and oversee special projects of staff, volunteers, and interns related to strategic planning, revenue goals, and program growth
  • Oversee the daily operations of public programs during all business hours including admissions, retail, and visitor experience
  • Listen, understand, and address the needs of our visitors, employees, and volunteers while creating a welcoming environment that supports Heal the Bay’s mission of fostering inclusivity, dignity, and respect
  • Create content and exhibit enhancements as needed, as well as managing and leading themed weekends, special events, birthday parties, and general public programs
  • Support retail operations through inventory management, ordering, pricing merchandising, marketing, and advertising
  • Work closely with the communications team to ensure marketing and communications efforts are integrated and optimized on event, program, and department levels
  • Help to increase awareness of Heal the Bay’s mission and visibility for the Aquarium, and be an advocate for our strategic initiatives
  • Assist in office management, including supply ordering and maintaining Green Business Certification and Associate of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) best practices
  • Oversee the development and use of effective standard operating procedures, implementation, and monitoring programs to ensure that all policies and procedures are appropriately and effectively followed
  • Contribute positively to the leadership team and foster a culture of great communication and collaboration organization wide
  • Contribute to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all people and creatures

Preferred Experience/Skills:

  • Management experience and proven success working as part of a diverse team
  • Experience with, or interest in learning about, working with animals and educating about animals, including familiarity with Santa Monica Bay marine organisms and ecosystems
  • Excellent communication, customer service, and public speaking skills
  • Conversational level knowledge of at least two languages (Spanish preferred)
  • Knowledge of major social media platforms (e.g.,. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite
  • Can work collaboratively and communicate well with a team
  • Can also work independently with minimal supervision and take initiative
  • Experience working with children and fostering positive learning experiences

The Aquarium is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday.
Full time 40 hours/week

Salary Information

$22.5 - $25.5 Hourly Wage

This job is no longer available