Associate Director of Visitor Experience

Associate Director of Visitor Experience

Seacoast Science Center (SSC) is an established marine and natural science based museum that hosts 90,000 annual visitors at its ocean-side location in Odiorne Point State Park. The Associate Director of Visitor Experience is responsible for all aspects of front-of-house museum operations. Primary responsibilities are to maintain a high standard of excellence in the Seacoast Science Center visitor experience through superior customer service, exemplary staff and volunteer leadership, and provision of quality educational programming, curriculum development, and training. Reporting to the Deputy Director and working as part of SSC’s collaborative management team, the Associate Director of Visitor Experience must ensure the institution maintains operating excellence, integrity, and creativity in all aspects of our visitor’s experience. This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), benefits eligible position, with a Tuesday-Saturday schedule, and this position is contracted through October of 2025. 

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Visitor Experience is responsible for maintaining a high standard of excellence in the Seacoast Science Center’s visitor experience via superior customer service, exemplary staff and volunteer leadership, and by ensuring Visitor Service Department staff is supported and trained to deliver high-quality, mission-connected programming and interactions with Center visitors. The Associate Director of Visitor Experience must create a positive team environment, including building and nurturing a cohesive team of naturalists and volunteers. In addition, this role is responsible for planning and leading Seacoast Science Center community events and all aspects of the retail operation.  This role requires a confident leader who is attentive to details, comfortable in a work setting where every day is different, and can effectively manage and foster positive staff dynamics.

Qualifications 

The successful candidate will have a strong background in visitor engagement at museums, cultural institutions, non-profits or similar non-formal community learning environments. Experience in marine science, environmental science, and education, a passion for science-based informal education, and excellent communication and leadership skills are highly desired. Excellent engagement and interpersonal skills are required to effectively interact with public audiences. The Associate Director of Visitor Experience must have the ability to work with staff at different stages in their careers. Facilitation of training or teaching workshops is desirable. Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience and the ability to nurture, strengthen and support a team is highly valued for this position. Successful candidates will  demonstrate proven achievement in budgeting, reporting and analysis, data driven decision making, and ability to deliver results and meet responsibilities. 

The successful candidate will have:

• Management level experience in the museum field or at a relevant, customer service oriented business.
• Highly skilled internal and external customer service with demonstrated results in effecting positive change for customers.
• Experience developing budgets and growing earned revenue opportunities.
• Demonstrated data analytics skill set, including reports creation, and data-driven approach to decision making.
• Experience in relating to the community, responding to community needs and interacting with community leaders.
• Proven achievement of operational results without compromise to the organization’s mission and values.
• Proven experience in leading and building teams, and fostering a positive and collaborative working environment.
• Highly organized with experience scheduling complex projects while keeping simultaneous projects on schedule and within budget.
• Experience with digital technology and systems that support excellent customer service. 
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, organizational and leadership skills.
• Pass CORI background check in accordance with Seacoast Science Center guidelines.

About Us

Seacoast Science Center is a beloved anchor of the NH seacoast community – a place to learn and have fun while developing an appreciation for our coastal environment and its inhabitants. At our home in historic Odiorne Point State Park, one of New Hampshire’s ocean-facing treasures, we inspire visitors to discover the wonders of our natural habitats. Families are encouraged to get their feet wet in the tide pools, explore the touch tank full of wondrous creatures from the Gulf of Maine, be awed by the sea life in aquarium exhibits, and develop a deeper appreciation for the preservation and health of our oceans. As the only ocean-centric science museum in the region, Seacoast Science Center is an integral part of New Hampshire’s cultural economy and educational opportunities, attracting over 90,000 visitors annually, with 30,000 participating in school-related field trips and summer camp programs. A valued public resource, we encourage social interaction, community collaboration, and the pursuit of shared interests.