Associate Director of Visitor Programs

Posted December 6, 2024

Washington National Cathedral is a House of Prayer for all People that holds a unique place at the intersection of civic and sacred life. The Cathedral welcomes over 150,000 visitors a year for sightseeing. The Associate Director of Visitor Programs will join the Cathedral’s program team and oversee the staff responsible for the visitor experience.

The Cathedral’s visitor offerings currently include individual guided and self-guided sightseeing, group and specialty tours, visitor events and programs, and special exhibits. The Associate Director of Visitor Programs will have primary responsibility for ensuring that these offerings provide an inspiring, meaningful and engaging experience for visitors. Specifically, the Associate Director will be responsible for ensuring interpretation and visitor experiences that are innovative and comprehensive and that create a cohesive narrative for the visitor that is consistent with the Cathedral’s mission. They will work collaboratively with all Cathedral departments, but particularly the Programs, Revenue and Guest and Event Management Services Departments to grow and enhance the visitor experience.

The ideal candidate will be highly organized, collaborative and able to manage competing priorities. They will be a strong communicator and able to effectively share the mission and experience of Washington National Cathedral.

Duties and Responsibilities

Visitor Engagement and Interpretation

Design and oversee implementation of a comprehensive visitor engagement strategy that enhances the visitor experience and ensures a seamless, meaningful visitor experience.
Develop and oversee quality tour content and messaging, including Spotlight tours, group tours, and specialty tours, in collaboration with Visitor Operations Manager and Guest and Event Management Services department.
Develop and oversee implementation of a quality individual sightseeing experience that shares an engaging and inclusive narrative, by assessing and (as needed) enhancing existing self-guided resources (e.g., the Bloomberg Connects app, audio tour, self-guided brochure, interpretation and signage) and identifying needed resources.
Oversee development and execution of quality specialty exhibits and experiences including annual creche exhibit, LEGO experience, America250 exhibit, and other specialty exhibits and experiences (typically 2 additional/year).
Support the Cathedral’s diversity, equity and inclusion commitment by ensuring that the visitor experience is designed to ensure that all visitors feel respected and welcomed.

Program Development and Execution

Collaborate across the institution to develop engaging programmatic opportunities in line with annual goals.
Develop and execute special programming and activities including special events, education programs, and family activities.
With the Marketing/Communications and Revenue departments, create a comprehensive engagement strategy to grow and increase individual and group visitor numbers.
Cultivate and nurture new audiences including families and local visitors, those that describe themselves as spiritual but not religious, and those that are drawn to the Cathedral’s art and architectural wonder.
Oversee creation of robust and engaging family engagement program with Visitor Engagement Specialist.
Collect, monitor and share feedback and assessments of visitor experience program to drive continued success and improvement.

Team Management and Leadership

Manage the Visitor Programs team.
- Leadership and Direction: Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Visitor Programs team, fostering a positive, collaborative work environment aligned with organizational values and goals.
- Team Development: Mentor and develop team members by offering regular feedback, performance assessments, and identifying growth opportunities to enhance individual and team performance.
- Goal Setting and Monitoring: Establish clear objectives and performance goals for the team. Monitor progress, celebrate achievements, and address any gaps to ensure that team members meet or exceed expectations.
Manage VEE team’s Monday.com board and team’s workflow.
Manage integration of Cathedral annual plan with the VEE team’s annual goals.
Create and manage annual goals and metrics.
In consultation with the Finance team, develop and maintain the Visitor Experience budget.

minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree, with a preference for a higher degree or certification.
5 or more years of experience working with interpretation, exhibits, guest experience, special events, education, or other visitor engagement functions at a museum, significant cultural institution, or Cathedral.
3 years of managerial experience with a proven ability to successfully manage teams.
3 years project management experience with projects involving a diverse group of stakeholders from ideation to implementation.
Experience creating and developing interpretation, signage and visitor engagement collateral.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Management and leadership skills, including interpersonal relationships and communications, organization and decision-making, planning and strategic management.
Knowledge of and expertise in the design, planning, and production of visitor programs, exhibits and/or special events.
Excellent written and oral communications skills with the ability to handle situations with tact, persuasiveness and diplomacy.
Excellent organization skills, attention to detail and accuracy with the ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks.
Proven collaborator who can work across a large, complex institution.
Able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Able to develop in-depth knowledge of the Cathedral’s art, architecture, history and mission.
Able to work independently and as a team member.
Comfort working in religious setting with people of diverse faiths and backgrounds
Able to create and manage program budgets.
Knowledge of the Washington, DC area social, tourism, and educational communities is desirable.

preferred experience

Experience executing special exhibits
Experience planning and executing special events and programs
Proficiency in project management software like monday.com.
Proficiency with Office 365/Office Suite

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires work during regular business hours. At times, some work on weekends and outside of regular business hours may be required.
This position is eligible for hybrid/remote scheduling as dictated by the department’s needs.
The position requires prolonged sitting and/or standing, in the performance of daily activities.
The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard.
The position also requires near and far vision for reading and preparing written reports and other required documents.
Acute hearing is also required when providing phone assistance.
The need to lift, drag, push and pull files, reports and other materials weighing up to 25 pounds is also required.

Washington National Cathedral is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create a more diverse and inclusive atmosphere for all. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

We support an inclusive workplace where associates excel based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.

Washington National Cathedral seeks individuals who are committed to our mission. We appreciate interest from those who will contribute to an atmosphere in which diversity is valued and supported.

Expected salary range $85,000 – $90,000 commensurate to experience.

Apply Now

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].