Job Listing: Chief Operating Officer

From virtual presentations featuring STEM experts to fun videos on social media, and from in-person experiential exhibitions to in-depth lab demos, the Science Museum of Virginia looks for all opportunities to encourage Virginians to enrich their lives through science. For more than 40 years, the Science Museum has been a place that sparks curiosity, encourages discovery, and inspires innovation in science, technology, engineering and math.

The Science Museum has something for people of all ages. Science is all around us and discoveries are limitless. We strive to change our guests’ perspective on the world.

The Science Museum is located in iconic Broad Street Station in Richmond. To reach Virginians across the state, the Science Museum network also includes the Danville Science Center, located in Danville, and is developing the Northern Virginia Science Center, which will be located in Loudoun County.

The Science Museum is seeking a transformative Chief Operations Officer (COO) who will be directly responsible for the overall guest experience at the Science Museum of Virginia, from daily guest interactions at the front desk to major special events, and all things in between. The COO is responsible for exceeding all guest expectations.

This is an opportunity to be a key member of the leadership team of an institution in its prime, currently undergoing multiple revitalization and renovation projects on a 37-acre campus, located in one of the most vibrant and active areas in the City of Richmond.

This crucial position will provide the energy of leadership through hands-on management of the operational departments, which include Guest Services, Science Museum events, gift shop, cafe, facility rentals, group sales, housekeeping and security. This dynamic leader will develop operational strategies that achieve quality results and ensure a superior guest experience. This position advocates for and implements innovative ideas for service and guest engagement in a strategic and thoughtful manner. Reporting to the Deputy Director and participating as a member of the Museum’s Leadership Team, the COO will provide inspirational leadership and expertise in museum operations and is responsible for coordinating, implementing and administering the institution’s multi-faceted, high-energy public experiences. This position will collaborate in the creation and implementation of practices to advance inclusivity and accessibility.

The successful candidate will be a hands-on, participative manager who will lead and develop internal teams and coordinate external partners; assist as needed with the implementation of new gallery experiences and programming; and work closely with the leadership of neighboring businesses, attractions, and the larger Richmond community, to facilitate communication around operational issues.

You must be energized by operations. Security issues, weddings, middle-school students, corporate CEO’s and the Governor must all be handled gracefully and professionally.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• An eye for detail, friendliness and hospitality.

Must have graduated from an accredited college or university with coursework in the social sciences, museum studies, business, human resource management or a related field, or have equivalent experience and training.

The Science Museum of Virginia can ONLY accept online applications for all Museum employment opportunities. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application, therefore, it is essential to provide detailed information. Submitting an application lacking in detail, may impact your interview eligibility. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Please refer to “Your Application” in your jobs.virginia.gov Account to check the status for this position. Computers are available for applying for jobs in public libraries, and the Virginia Employment Commission offices. Science Museum Human Resources will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation in order to provide access to the application and/or interview process. If any assistance is needed when applying online, please contact Museum HR at 804-864-1477.

Notice: SMV HR will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization. Equal Opportunity Employer