Public Programs Manager – Aquarium
About the Role
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 toward 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
- Minimize the number and complexity of revenue generating activities. Devote maximum resources to highest ROI drivers
- 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 communication 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 is strongly preferred, with a preference for Spanish
- Knowledge of major social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite
- Collaborative and communicate well with a team
- Work independently with minimal supervision and take the initiative
- Experience working with children and fostering positive learning experiences
Compensation: This is a non-exempt full-time position $23.50 – $25.50 per hour with appropriate state and federal taxes withheld.
Benefits: There are dental, medical, health insurance, and vacation benefits included as part of employment. In accordance with California Labor Law, employee will be eligible to receive up to 72 hours of paid sick leave per calendar year, after completing 90 days of employment. All Heal the Bay recognized holidays will be compensated in accordance to time worked.
Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Must be available for weekends, evenings, and holidays.