Chief Education and Programs Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 

Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum (USOPM) houses our U.S. Olympic and Paralympic legacy. The 60,000-square-foot Museum honors the ideals and documents the history of the U. S. Olympic and Paralympic movement, celebrates the achievements of its athletes, and inspires each visitor to pursue excellence. Home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, the Museum offers interactive exhibits, innovative displays, and compelling artifacts in a setting celebrated for its accessibility.  

SUMMARY: 

The Chief Education & Programs Officer (CEPO) is a senior leader who will build and oversee a broad portfolio of programs and activities for a variety of audiences – in Colorado Springs, nationally, and virtually – that advance our mission, increase visibility, awareness, and engagement, and drive revenue.  

In creating a department, program, and team from the ground up, the CEPO will play a significant role in shaping the future of the USOPM. This individual will lead all aspects of strategy, development, delivery, and evaluation of this programming, which is expected to scale to engage 25,000+ participants and generate significant net revenue in five years’ time. 

As a member of the senior leadership team, the CEPO is expected to think beyond individual programs to build a distinctive, scalable function that establishes the USOPM as the nation’s premier platform for connecting Americans to the stories of our nation’s greatest athletes and the enduring impact of Olympic and Paralympic sport. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Program Development & Implementation 

• Develop and lead a comprehensive education and programming strategy rooted in the USOPM’s mission and aligned with the Museum’s strategic priorities. 

• Develop signature initiatives capable of extending the USOPM’s mission beyond Colorado Springs to audiences nationally, while also distinguishing the USOPM from other leading organizations in the Olympic/Paralympic movement. 

• Build a multi-year plan for expansion and growth of impact and revenue. 

• Recruit, develop, inspire, and retain a high-performing education and programs team. 

• Establish clear priorities, expectations, accountability, and measures of success. 

• Identify intellectual property, curriculum, program formats, and experiences that can be replicated or distributed nationally while maintaining program quality and brand integrity. 

• Develop partnerships with organizations that can significantly increase the reach and impact of USOPM content and programming; leverage the national visibility surrounding LA28, Utah34 and future Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

• Work closely with Marketing and Philanthropy teams to identify priority audiences and develop experiences tailored to their motivations and interests. 

• Use audience research, participation data, visitor feedback and other qualitative and quantitative data to identify opportunities for growth. 

• Regularly report program performance, outcomes, opportunities, and challenges to the CEO, leadership team, and Board as appropriate. 

• Develop and manage annual departmental budgets with accountability for expenses, earned revenue, and contributed-revenue opportunities. 

• Collaborate across the organization to ensure that programs meet the USOPM’s gold medal standard in design and delivery. 

• Effectively manage contractors, collaborators, volunteers, athletes, and other program resources as appropriate. 

• Ensure programs reflect and celebrate the Olympic & Paralympic movements and authentically represent the diversity within Team USA history; ensure accessibility and inclusion are embedded in program design and delivery. 

Organizational Leadership 

As a member of the USOPM leadership team, the CEPO will: 

• Participate actively in organizational strategy, planning, budgeting, and decision-making. 

• Think institutionally rather than departmentally, contributing to the success and sustainability of the USOPM’s organization-wide success. 

• Advance the Museum’s role as the nation’s home of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic legacy. 

• Serve as a visible ambassador for the Museum and its mission. 

• Contribute to/participate in organization-wide efforts and priorities, modeling best practice in engagement and leadership and supporting positive organizational culture. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: 

• Professional experience and sophistication necessary to be successful in a strategic leadership role in a complex and evolving organization. Senior leadership experience within a museum, cultural institution, visitor-serving organization, or other informal education setting preferred. 

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute a strategic vision for programs serving diverse audiences and meeting revenue objectives, from program concepts to budgeting, staffing, production, and evaluation.  

• Strong understanding of education, experiential learning, program design, audience engagement, and evaluation. 

• Exceptional leadership, communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills. 

• Experience developing national programs or partnerships as well as programs that can be scaled beyond a single physical location. 

• Experience working with high-profile individuals, athletes, speakers, or public figures. 

• Experience managing teams, budgets, complex projects, and external partnerships. 

• Experience using data, audience insights, and financial information to guide strategy and decision-making. 

• Strong customer service orientation and entrepreneurial mindset. 

• Interest in sports/Olympics & Paralympics is a plus. 

PHYSICAL/MENTAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• This position is full time onsite in Colorado Springs, CO. 

• Able to operate standard office equipment. 

• This leadership position will require periodic evening and weekend work. 

• Position requires episodic travel regionally and within the U.S. 

The USOPM’s culture is one of collaboration, collegiality, and teamwork. The CEPO must have a desire to work in a mission-first and audience-centered culture following the Museum’s core values of friendship, respect, excellence, determination, equality, inspiration, and courage. The CEPO must intend to produce products and experiences of exceptionally high quality and to enjoy work and colleagues. 

At the USOPM, we believe that to achieve our greatest potential, diversity of experience and viewpoints is paramount. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and life experience. The USOPM is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.