Director of Visitor Experience

Position Profile

May 2023

Organization and Position Overview

The Food + Farm Exploration Center (Exploration Center), in partnership with Farming for the Future Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to educate current and future generations about agricultural innovation and sustainability. The Exploration Center will promote agricultural literacy, increase the understanding of the origins of food, and deepen the relationship between farmers and consumers. The Exploration Center will be a state-of-the-art manifestation of the Foundation’s educational mission. It will be a centralized place for people to come together on a journey into the world of modern agriculture, meet the people behind food production, build science and engineering skills, connect, play, and learn. It will be a teaching farm, a children’s museum, a science center, and a community workshop all rolled into a tantalizing celebration of food and farming. The Exploration Center will create common ground where people can learn directly from the industry. It is important for people to know where their food comes from, and farmers are eager to share those stories. Located in Plover Wisconsin, the Exploration Center will be the cornerstone of innovation and exploration as it relates to food grown for human consumption.

The Food + Farm Exploration Center is seeking a Director of Visitor Experience to lead and provide strategic direction for all aspects of the visitor experience at the Exploration Center. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Visitor Experience serves as a strategic partner for strengthening and evolving the standards and best practices of a service-focused visitor experience in a growing, fast-paced non-profit organization, while supporting visitor and revenue goals. The ideal candidate will have experience in, and a passion for, outstanding customer service, hospitality, entertainment, and event planning/execution on small to large, customized meetings/events. They will possess excellent organizational skills to successfully manage and prioritize multiple projects and timelines in a fast-paced environment. The Director will need to be a self-motivated, forward-thinker who is confident in their decision and delegation abilities.

To learn more, please visit us at https://foodandfarm.us or email Kathleen O’Leary at koleary@fftf.us.

Essential Responsibilities

• Support the Exploration Center’s strategic objectives of delivering extraordinary visitor experiences with a focus on deep engagement in making innovative learning experiences for children, families, teachers, and community partners.
• Sell and Coordinate facility rentals and events.
• Oversee preferred caterer(s) of the Exploration Center. Understanding and experience with food/beverage service is required.
• Strong fiscal safety proficiency/experience with credit card processing and cash handling is required.
• Manage Exploration Center volunteers and event staff.
• Lead and build events staff by setting expectations, being accessible, delegating and empowering. Work with Operations & Exhibits Director for event, rental and group sales assistance, including event set-up and takedown.
• Develop and ensure systems, procedures and practices that support effective and excellent experiences while providing outstanding visitor service and encouraging repeat visits.
• Participate in the strategy and execution of revenue-generating activities such as memberships, rentals, and the retail store.
• Supervise the Visitor Experience staff and liaise with program and development staff to ensure a seamless visitor experience for all program participants, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain the efficacy and integrity of the Customer Relationship Management software, including admission, membership and registration processing and visitor tracking and reporting.
• Manages the Exploration Center Gift Shop including inventory and product purchasing.
• Implement regular assessments and evaluations of the visitor experience to drive continued process refinement and improvement.
• Maintain an emergency management plan for safety and evacuation of visitors and staff; Conduct regular related training for all Exploration Center staff and volunteers.
• Participate in the management and oversight of logistics related to parking, transportation, and wayfinding for all Exploration Center visitors.
• Support the Exploration Center’s diversity and inclusion best practices to ensure that all visitors feel respected, warmly welcomed, and comfortable.

Minimum Qualifications and Experiences

• Strategic thinker and dynamic leader who demonstrates professionalism, resourcefulness, enthusiasm, and a customer focused approach with ability to work in a cross-functional team environment.
• Driven, energetic, highly collaborative and results oriented.
• Strong written, verbal, and oral presentation skills; ability to communicate effectively with the public, staff, vendors, and contractors.
• Strong leadership, management, problem-solving and decision-making skills with strong work ethic, attention to details and follow-through.
• High level of accountability and efficiency, especially while handling multiple tasks.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms preferred.
• Demonstrated event management and sales experience.
• 8+ years of leadership experience in a nonprofit visitor/membership/association context, or in public customer service is required.
• 3+ years of people management experience and/or leading project teams is required.
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving organization is a must.
• Must be able to work a weekday and weekend schedule.

Instructions for Applicants

Interested applicants will please assemble and email the following pieces of information, combined into one document, to Kathleen O'Leary at koleary@fftf.us no later than 4:00 p.m. CST on May 21, 2023: A letter describing your qualifications for this position and your interest in the Food + Farm Exploration Center, a detailed and updated resume and the names of, your relationship to, and the contact information for, three professional references.

* References will not be contacted until a candidate has been notified.

Exploration Center Commitments

• Compensation: Base salary, commission plus bonuses
• PTO offered, and eight paid holidays.
• A Reimbursement option for Healthcare and Dental Services to all employees.
• A 401K plan is offered following one year of employment.
• Offers of employment are contingent upon results of thorough background and reference checks.
• All inquiries about and interactions with candidates are kept in strict confidence.
• This position will remain open until filled.

Food + Farm Exploration Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, or service in the military.

Food + Farm Exploration Center is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the organization and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives. This commitment is embodied in company policy and the way we do business at the Food + Farm Exploration Center and is an important principle of sound business management.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $86,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay
• Commission pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Plover, WI 54467: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

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