Deputy Chief Operating Officer

ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is a steward of early childhood, helping all children grow and develop into their best selves.

Through our programs on-site, online, and around the five boroughs, CMOM nurtures the next generation of creative global citizens as they learn through exploration and play. CMOM encourages empathy across differences by elevating and providing insight into diverse perspectives and inviting visitors of all backgrounds to join our intentionally welcoming community and create and learn alongside each other. The museum’s programs reflect the rich cultural diversity, energy, and resilience of New York City and have a special focus on ensuring that its programs are available to those families who might not otherwise have access.

Founded in 1973 as a neighborhood organization, CMOM has grown over the years into a beloved destination and resource for children, families, and educators from across the five boroughs and from around the world. The museum has historically welcomed approximately 350,000 visitors each year to its Upper West Side location at 212 West 83rd Street and engages hundreds of thousands more through its outreach programs in partnership with schools, libraries, shelters, and Head Start centers throughout New York City; its touring exhibitions; and its online tools and curricula.

In December 2017, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan purchased a landmark building at 361 West 96th Street. Construction is underway and the new museum is scheduled to become our new home in 2028. Shortly before opening the new Museum, the current operations at 212 West 83rd will shut down. This is a time of unprecedented growth for the institution that will ultimately yield the first new museum, and one solely dedicated to children and families, on Central Park West in more than fifty years.

CMOM is currently developing its future business model for an operation and budget twice its current size and is in the process of evolving its operating plan for its new home. As such, a key strategic priority is to make improvements and strive for operational excellence at our current and future home.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) seeks a Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Deputy COO) to work in partnership with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer (COO / CFO), collaborating with the Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and all CMOM colleagues to make improvements to current operations and to develop the future operating plan and organization structure for the institution’s new home at 96th street. With advisement from the Director of Operations and under the direction of the COO / CFO, this position will lead an operating team (Visitor and Guest Experience, Buildings Operations, Clean Team, Exhibits Maintenance, Security, Technology, and HR) in service of the Museum’s mission and key priorities, which include striving for overall excellence of the daily operations at its current location and future home.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop a productive partnership with the COO / CFO and collaboration with the Director of Finance, Director of Operations, and the Executive Leadership Team to achieve the following:

• Oversee all areas of Operations including Visitor Services, HR, IT, Security, and Maintenance.
• Support special events and programs at the Museum including those falling under the Development and Educational teams.
• Develop and manage the Operations team budget.
• Optimize technology across the Museum to increase organizational efficiency, effectiveness, information accessibility and accuracy, and identify needed areas for investment.
• Partner with the People Operations Specialist to refine and enhance HR functions in support of organizational growth, including staffing, staff development and training, performance management, compensation, safety and health, legal compliance, and DEI commitments.
• Serve as a key member of the Transition Team responsible for the successful opening and ongoing operations of the new Museum under construction at 96th Street and Central Park West. Responsibilities include:
  • Develop a clear and actionable staffing plan for the new Museum.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for transitioning from current operations at 83rd Street to future operations at 96th Street.

QUALIFICATIONS

The spirit of CMOM is collaborative, creative, and entrepreneurial. The ideal candidate will have a hands-on, results-driven leadership style; a record of success at a nonprofit institution working in operations across cross functional areas; a keen sense of how to think creatively to improve and optimize operations with limited resources; and the ability to rally others to take the initiative to lead in their areas of expertise.

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10+ years of operating experience at a nonprofit organization.
• 5+ years of management experience.
• Experience leading organizations through periods of growth, change, or transition.
• Demonstrated sound judgment and ability to make operational decisions in a fast-paced, public-facing environment.
• Ability to direct and motivate staff to effectively meet operational goals.
• Ability to work effectively with streamlined staff and resources.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Superior organizational skills.
• Strong work ethic.
• Ability to uphold CMOM’s mission and goals.
• Position requires 5-days in person, which will include weekends as required by high attendance, events, and special programs, offset by time off on weekdays.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If, due to a disability, you need accommodation during any part of the interview process, please let your recruiter know.

BENEFITS

Our company offers a comprehensive benefits package including vision, dental and medical (free medical coverage for employees, with premium plans available for dependents), 403B, life insurance, EAP, Paid Holidays, Personal Time Off, Vacation leave, and Sick leave. We also offer a range of voluntary benefits, such as FSA, critical illness, accident insurance, legal services, and pet insurance. As a CMOM employee, you are eligible for free admission to other New York City cultural institutions.