Job description

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Exhibit Content Developer

Status: (full-time, exempt)

Salary: Commensurate with experience; range begins at $50,000

Rooted in the stories of the Underground Railroad, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (Freedom Center) illuminates the true meaning of inclusive freedom by presenting permanent and special exhibits that inspire, public programming that provokes dialogue and action, and educational resources that equip modern abolitionists.

The Freedom Center opened in August 2004 on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Since then, 1.3+ million people have visited its exhibits and public programs, inspiring everyone to take courageous steps for freedom. Two million people have utilized educational resources online at freedomcenter.org, working to connect the lessons of the Underground Railroad to inform and inspire today’s global and local fight for freedom. Partnerships include Historians Against Slavery, Polaris Project, Free the Slaves, US Department of State and International Justice Mission.

Job Overview

The Exhibit Content Developer will oversee all aspects of content development for the Freedom Center’s exhibitions. Working with colleagues across the Freedom Center and with external exhibit design partners, they will help lead the planning and creation of compelling, audience-focused experiences that balance collections and research with interactives, sets, and media. They will work closely with internal curators and educators and external designers, project managers, media specialists, and others to create visitor experience plans that bring content to life. They will act as an advocate for the visitor, shaping exhibition stories and leading the creation and implementation of visitor experience goals.

The Exhibit Content Developer plays a critical role in the transformation of the Freedom Center as it plans to renovate and refresh its permanent exhibitions and create the nation’s first permanent gallery in a nationally accredited museum devoted to Social Justice. This work takes inspiration from the Underground Railroad, a major Social Justice movement upon which other movements are built. This position plays a key role in the Freedom Center’s efforts to center its DEAI values (Diversity, Equity, Access, & Inclusion) in its work and will prioritize and share marginalized narratives, identify clear and compelling learning goals for adult and family audiences, and broaden perspectives on regional and national history.

This collaborative position is part of a strong and passionate team, reports to the Vice President of Interpretation, Programs & Education, and may supervise interns and volunteers. The Freedom Center seeks candidates from all communities, including but not limited to People of Color, Native Americans, recent immigrants, and others interested in telling the important stories of social justice movements, past, present, and future.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Content Development and Production – 85%
• Lead development of content outlines and conceptual frameworks, including learning goals and key messages that embrace mind, body, and spirit. Work with designers and Curator of Social Justice to translate content outlines to experiences, including lists of desired objects and images and opportunities for media, interactive, scenic, and other visitor experiences.
• Conduct background research to develop and share a working knowledge of exhibit subject matter. Research specific objects and images as needed for display.
• Assess current permanent exhibitions for opportunities to improve storytelling and experience, being mindful of accessibility, inclusion, engagement, and credibility.
• Monitor and manage content production timelines and progress, as needed. Summarize progress achieved during content development sessions, communicating key next steps to help keep internal teams on goal and on schedule.
• Write, edit, review, and revise content for exhibits, including text for labels, media scripts, and interactive guides. Maintain the Freedom Center’s desired brand voice.
• Communicate content planning to administrative leadership, other departments and internal teams using written, visual, and organizational tools. Give presentations as needed to members, donors, community groups, and others. Give media interviews as needed.Evaluation – 10%

• Utilize front-end and formative evaluation techniques to assess audience experience and expectations for exhibit content and experiences.
• Facilitate focus groups and content development sessions with diverse teams of members, visitors, educators, researchers, community partners, internal staff, and others.
• Work with exhibit designers and producers to prototype and revise exhibit elements before exhibits open.
• Lead efforts to assess success of completed exhibits; implement remedial evaluation and/or revisions when necessary.Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

Qualifications

• Education or Equivalent Work Experience
• Degree or equivalent work experience in English, Communications, Journalism, History, Museum Studies, or other writing- and storytelling-centered equivalent that requires working productively with audiences and subject matter experts
• At least 3 years of experience working in a museum, library, archives, botanic garden, or similar, including familiarity with working with partners and/or public
• Additional years of related work experience or degree programs or trainings will be accepted in lieu of the degree or experience requirementsSpecialized Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Superb writing and communication skills, ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a range of team members, and a curiosity about activism and history.
• Passion for and proven experience in clear, compelling storytelling that engages diverse ages and knowledge levels; ability to match content message to delivery mechanism; talent for bringing objects and messages to life through a range of interpretive methods.
• Learning-oriented individual able to quickly absorb and convey ideas in vivid ways.
• Demonstrated ability to organize time and tasks efficiently to meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively work with the public and coworkers in a positive, professional manner.
• Experience using Windows-based PCs and software, MS Office products, and Adobe Suite applications.

Working Conditions

• Typical office setting at the Freedom Center, with some time spent at offsite meetings. Some travel, as needed.
• Regular, frequent, and extended computer and phone use.
• 40-hour work week with occasional evenings and weekends.
• Supervise interns and volunteers.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We’re committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our organization, community, and employees. That’s why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.

At NURFC, we want leaders who lead so that people choose to follow; We are looking for a leader who embodies the following leadership guiding principles:

• Captivate the Audience – Tell compelling stories, find the link that the audience can relate to. NURFC leaders are authentic and connect with people through the power of relationship building. They think globally with relentless focus. They maintain a sharp vision for success to lead strategically and begin with the end in mind.
• Inspire Optimism – Motivate, develop, and collaborate. NURFC leaders consistently reinforce why and how success is possible. They build effective teams with strong relationships, maintain humility, invest in top talent, and show appreciation. They demonstrate confidence, act decisively, expect excellence and drive results to realize shared success.
• Innovate with Courage – Invent our future, respect our past. NURFC leaders set a tone of accountability while taking informed risks and using failures to learn. They are curious and inspire creativity. They identify disruptors, drive necessary change, and seek to do the impossible while respecting NURFC’s rich history.
• Act with Integrity and Inclusion – Do the right thing. NURFC leaders are truthful, trustworthy, and reliable. They make a point to publicly appreciate differences and go out of their way to help others belong. always Maintaining a respectful candor, they proactively involve multiple perspectives when making critical decisions, act with sound judgment and treat everyone fairly.

NURFC is an EOE employer and does not discriminate against any person or group based on age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or genetic information. NURFC is building a culturally diverse staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and encourages applications from minorities and women.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Weekend availability

Work Location: In person

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