"Manager of Creative Learning"

Job Details

Position Details

Position Information

Requisition Number
S5091P

Home Org Name
JCSM EducationEngagementandLearning

Division Name
Administrative Effectiveness

Position Title
Manager of Creative Learning

Job Class Code
AB22

Appointment Status
Full-time

Limited Term
No

Job Summary

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is excited to begin the search for a Manager of Creative Learning! The Manager of Creative Learning develops innovative approaches to arts education that engage both young people and adults with the museum. This role participates as an active and collaborative member of the Education, Engagement, and Learning unit, positioning museum education as a dynamic academic resource, and championing new ways of thinking about museums, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and cross-curricular connections. Through experiences on-site, off-site, and online, this role advances the museum’s mission to serve as a hub for interdisciplinary learning and engagement for educators, PreK–12 students, and other audiences through curriculum-based explorations, teacher workshops, and professional development opportunities.

Accredited by the American Association of Museums and a member of the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries, The Jule stewards a renowned art collection of more than 3000 objects on behalf of Auburn University. Advancing research, outreach and instruction through its collections and programs in active and welcoming learning environments, the museum engages through exhibitions and hosting artists and scholars from across the nation to provide positive impacts for students and faculty. Serving beyond the gallery walls, it also serves the state of Alabama through traveling art programming. The Jule will turn 25 in 2028! With that upcoming milestone, the museum is focused on raising funds to endow positions and programs, establish scholarships, acquire and conserve art, and provide adequate teaching space, all to further center its role within the intellectual life of Auburn University.

Essential Functions

• Collaborates with Auburn University faculty and students, particularly within the College of Education. Integrates museum education into academic programs and research initiatives at Auburn University in collaboration with the Academic Engagement Manager. Prepares on-site engagements for learning across all demographics, ensures spaces are organized and ready for visits, and communicates effectively with faculty and students before, during, and after engagements.
• Creates and facilitates dynamic professional development opportunities for PreK–12 educators, emphasizing cross-disciplinary and co-created learning projects. Aligns museum programing with relevant Alabama State Standards across the curriculum and designs opportunities for professional development around integrating curricular instruction across standards. Expands understanding of art’s impact on the public sphere and promotes innovative strategies for integrating museum resources into all disciplines. Incorporates new models of cultural participation, artistic practice, and technology-driven engagement, fostering collaboration, creativity, and interdisciplinary thinking in educational settings.
• Conceptualizes, develops, designs, implements, and presents innovative PreK–12 education, engagement, and learning experiences for students, families, and other stakeholders. Responsible for coordinating tours and explorations, overseeing engagement calendars, and leading workshops, institutes, and customized engagements as necessary. Ensures offerings are impactful, object-based, multi-sensory, and hands-on utilizing best practices in museum education, art-based pedagogies, and visitor studies to appeal to different learning styles. Incorporates multi-generational learning and participatory experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, experimentation, and global competence.
• Expands and enriches relationships between the museum and surrounding communities through partnerships with schools and student groups throughout the state. Brings their voices and needs into museum engagement opportunities for the betterment of civic life in the region, exploring philosophical, cultural, and ethical ideas about how the museum can serve as a space for public practice and exploration. Frequently meets in-person with partners to define optimal implementation and strengthen long-term collaboration.
• Conceptualizes educational content and interpretive tools for the museum website in collaboration with web and digital media staff. Develops innovative resources for other digital platforms and formats. Uses technology to develop new audiences, expanding access and engagement. Collaborates with peer institutions to share digital resources.
• Evaluates programs for effectiveness, relevance, and resource prioritization while maintaining alignment with current state standards. Gathers and analyzes qualitative and quantitative data for use in reports, grants, and funding proposals. Integrates data collection, measurement, and assessment into museum processes and programs. Ensures timely and collegial responses to questions and feedback from visitors, educators, and partners.
• Participates in museum-wide projects, staff training, and professional development opportunities to maintain awareness of current practices. Contributes to development and fundraising initiatives, including identifying grant opportunities, drafting proposals, and managing reporting for grants centered on innovative educational programming and community partnerships.

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 3 years of experience OR
• Master’s degree and 1 year of experience.

Focus of Experience: Experience in education and/or museum outreach, education, or initiatives.

Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications

Minimum Skills and Abilities

• Broad understanding of the field of visual arts, including a range of historical periods, cultures, and artistic trends, and a willingness to learn about subjects and material outside of established areas of expertise.
• Deep knowledge of and demonstrable commitment to arts education, especially for PreK-12 and families connected with museums.
• Familiarity with pedagogical and engagement trends in the areas of children and family learning, technology integration, stakeholder management, and State of Alabama education standards.
• Ability to work well and collaborate effectively with and/or supervise a wide range of audiences including staff, volunteers, funders, sponsors, volunteers, the general public, and other constituencies.
• Exceptional team and collaborative leadership skills, especially liaising with colleagues; comfortable leading large, small, and diverse groups to provide direction and mentorship through inspiration, consistency, and example.
• Ability to successfully plan, organize, and implement work to meet deadlines, unexpected business needs, and/or multiple changing priorities; keep up with high work volume often under pressure; multitask.
• Administrative with attention to detail, while incorporating the broader goals of the organization. Able to strategize, set and meet goals, and be proactive; and who pays meticulous attention to detail in the completion of tasks. High-level computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in museum education to include: writing lesson plans, designing mission-driven programs that drive and achieve core strategies, planning workshops for teacher and professional development, and conceptualizing and implementing engagements such as camps, after-school programs, and teaching institutes.
• Experience designing and conducting assessments and evaluations, including statistics and gathering and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.

Posting Detail Information

Salary Range
$44,590 - $71,350

Job Category
Arts/Museum

City position is located in:
Auburn

State position is located:
AL

Posting Date
02/13/2026