Museum Overview

The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum (BBCM) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hands-on educational experiences that help children build fundamental cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills during their formative years. Established in 1995, BBCM’s mission is to inspire all children to wonder and explore their world through play and innovative, hands-on learning experiences. The exhibits and programs reflect developmental milestones and national academic standards, fostering early literacy, STEAM concepts, problem-solving, cooperation, self-esteem, and physical coordination. BBCM is committed to ensuring access for ALL children and families in the community.

The Museum is named in honor of Betty Brinn, a successful Milwaukee businesswoman who spent most of her childhood in foster homes and orphanages throughout Wisconsin. As an adult, Betty dedicated her life to helping underrepresented women and children in the Milwaukee area secure health care. Her legacy continues to impact the city of Milwaukee in this treasured educational landmark.

Brian King, the current CEO, has been in this role since 2019 and will remain in his position until the transition and search is complete. Building on the organization’s current strengths, successes, and general direction, BBCM’s next CEO should focus on the following big picture strategies in the next 5-8 years:

Key Focus Areas:

• Create and launch a new museum while improving existing operations.
• Maintain and nurture organizational culture.
• Boost fundraising capacity and effectiveness for current needs and a future capital campaign.
• Enhance the Museum’s status as an acknowledged and respected leader in the Milwaukee nonprofit and cultural institution community, specifically in the realms of early childhood education and advocacy for children.
• Further elevate the visitor experience.
• Develop the exhibits for sale business line.

Position Overview

BBCM is seeking a dynamic, visionary leader to serve as the next CEO. The ideal candidate will be passionate about early childhood education and hands-on learning, capable of embodying and communicating that passion, and have a proven track record in management. Working closely with the Board of Directors, the CEO will focus on strategic and operational planning for the future. The CEO will serve as the primary representative in the media, fundraising contexts, and community settings. A leadership approach that is accessible, supportive, and empowering is essential.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Vision and Leadership:

• Lead the museum’s move to a new location, including the necessary capital campaign.
• Collaborate with the Board on strategic and annual planning.
• Provide inspirational leadership and direction to all staff.
• Cultivate a strong relationship with the Board, ensuring transparency and open communication.

Fiscal Management and Fund Development:

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising plans for individual major donors, annual campaigns, foundations, public sources, corporate donors and new events.
• Prepare the Museum for a capital campaign feasibility study.
• Oversee financial planning to ensure the Museum’s financial stability.
• Maintain communication with the Board Finance Chair and the Board on fiscal developments.

Staff Leadership and Operational Planning:

• Lead the staff and all Museum functions by setting expectations, being accessible, and empowering.
• Develop metrics for organizational health and to maintain accountability.
• Demonstrate and lead efforts for diversity and inclusion among staff, partners, and suppliers.
• Ensure strong management and staff through training and ongoing professional development.
• Refine, maintain, and execute the educational philosophy of the Museum.
• Continue and expand programs to service low income and underserved communities, including those served by social service agencies and people with special needs.

Community Relations and Partnerships:

• Create lasting and beneficial partnerships with private and public leaders in the community.
• Oversee public relations and marketing efforts.
• Professionally and with energy, advocate for, and represent the Museum in the community and with media.

Board Relations and Governance:

• Collaborate with Board leadership on the Museum’s vision and strategy.
• Ensure the Board has the necessary information to perform its responsibilities via ongoing clear and transparent communication.
• Partner with Board members on donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Serve as a key liaison between the staff and the Board to ensure that the decisions of the Board are communicated and implemented.

Experiences and Skills

• Demonstrated experience in prioritizing, delegating, and investing in people and systems.
• Possess the ability, will and skill to fundraise for ongoing operations and a capital campaign is necessary; experience with capital campaigns is a plus.
• Proven ability to develop and implement both long-term and annual plans, with measurable objectives and strategies.
• Proficient in building coalitions, negotiating effectively, and working seamlessly with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional presentation, writing, and communication skills, with a proven ability to serve as a spokesperson, relationship builder, and fundraiser.
• Commitment to staff development, demonstrated by a successful track record of recruiting and retaining a diverse team.
• Understanding of issues affecting children, particularly in education and health.
• Experience being the ultimate decision maker for an organization or for major projects/initiatives.
• Strong public speaking and storytelling skills.
• Demonstrated ability to network with stakeholders and community organizations.
• B.A. degree from an accredited university.
• Prior nonprofit leadership experience and/or management of a complex program, department and/or organization is preferred.
• Previous experience working with a nonprofit Board of Directors is desirable.

Attributes

• Enjoys “working the room” at public appearances and networking events and is a passionate advocate for children.
• Inspires others through skilled and passionate storytelling.
• Resolute decision maker, comfortable regularly engaging in difficult conversations.
• Understands the importance of nurturing, developing, and guiding staff without micromanaging.
• Balances ambition with humility, demonstrating the qualities of a servant leader while having the ambition to lead complex, long-term projects like capital campaigns.

Instructions for Applicants

Interested applicants can please email the following items, combined into one document, to BBCM@leadingtransitions.com no later than 1:00 p.m. CT July 12, 2023: (1) a letter describing your qualifications for this position and your interest in BBCM’s mission; (2) a detailed and updated resume; and (3) the names for, your relationship with, and the contact information for, three professional references. *References will not be contacted without permission.

Commitment to BBCM Staff

BBCM provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

BBCM offers a generous benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• Medical Insurance (BBCM pays 80% of cost)
• Dental Insurance (BBCM pays 80% of cost)
• Vision, Critical Illness, Accidental Insurance, Supplementary Life, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment eligibility
• HSA with employer contributions
• HRA employer-paid plan
• Employer-paid plans for Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance & Long-Term Disability
• 401k with the Museum contributing 5% at year-end (not matching every pay period)
• Four weeks PTO
• The annual salary range begins at $175K.

All offers of employment are contingent upon clear 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.

Leading Transitions is committed to the vitality of mission-based, nonprofit, philanthropic and community-centered efforts and organizations, and their leaders. The firm’s inclusive practices provide the flexibility and creativity necessary to adapt to the intricacies and dynamics of any community. We believe that periods of change are transformational and bring great new opportunities.

Instructions for Applicants

Interested applicants can please email the following items, combined into one document, to BBCM@leadingtransitions.com no later than 1:00 p.m. CT July 12, 2023: (1) a letter describing your qualifications for this position and your interest in BBCM’s mission; (2) a detailed and updated resume; and (3) the names for, your relationship with, and the contact information for, three professional references. *References will not be contacted without permission.