careers
Title: Manager, Public Programs
Reports to: Director of Visitor Services and Programs
Department: Visitor Services
Candidates must be Hawaii based locally – Currently interviewing only Hawaii -based candidates.
Classification: Exempt/Full-Time
Expected Hours: 40 hrs weekly
Pay: Salary range of $50,000 – $52,000 (Commensurate with qualifications and experience)
Location: On-Site; Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum; Ford Island
Position Summary:
The Manager, Public Programs reports to the Director of Visitor Services and is responsible for and owns the planning and execution of the Museum’s public programs – from recurring guest programs and book signings to major public events such as PHAMily Fun Day. This is a manager-level position with end-to-end ownership of program work, execution and delivery. The role requires close, ongoing coordination across the Museum – with other department managers, support staff, volunteers, and external partners – to ensure every program runs at the standard the Museum expects. The Manager, Public Programs coordinates closely with the Volunteer Services Manager and other Visitor Experience leadership wherever programs intersect with volunteer support or base access needs, and covers the floor as needed – assisting visitors, operating simulators, and taking on other visitor-facing duties to help cover the entire Museum during high-traffic periods or staffing gaps. The selected Manager is expected to complete the Museum’s Manager of the Day training plan and demonstrate the required competencies within 90-calendar days of employment. Once approved by the Director, the employee will assume scheduled MOD responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Coordinates directly with managers and staff across other departments — Facilities, Accounting, Development, Marketing, Education, etc. as applicable — to line up the staffing, logistics, and resources each program needs; this position is a hub and has responsibility to ensure they are working collaboratively and as a team with all other areas/departments.
- Plans and leads execution of the Museum’s recurring and special public programs, including PHAMily Fun Day, book signings, lectures, guest presentations, commemorative programs, educational or family activities, and other public-facing events of varying size and complexity.
- Owns event-day operations for large public events: staffing model and zone assignments (position-based coverage rather than a fixed guest ratio — determines what it takes to keep each zone under control), volunteer and staff coordination, and weather/cancellation decisions made jointly with Director/MOD per (SOP) Standard Operating Procedure.
- Coordinates directly with the Development Department on event sponsorships, donations, and vendor agreements, and ensures sponsor deliverables (recognition, reporting) are fulfilled — without personally negotiating funding relationships, which remain with Development.
- Coordinates closely with the Volunteer Services Manager and Visitor Experience leadership wherever public programs need volunteer support or base access coordination.
- As needed, assists visitors in exhibit galleries, operates simulators, and covers other floor duties; so the entire Museum is covered during high-traffic periods or staffing gaps.
- Assists in the recruitment and administrative logistics of volunteer support for public programs.
- Assists in selecting and developing training content and organizes or supports training delivery for employees and volunteers assigned to public programs.
- Develops and maintains positive, effective working relationships with colleagues and community partners.
- Completes the Museum’s Manager of the Day training plan and demonstrates required competency within 90 calendar days of employment. Once approved by the Director, serves scheduled MOD shifts and provides Museum-wide operational leadership, including staff coordination, guest-issue resolution, incident and emergency response, and timely escalation to senior leadership.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience independently planning and executing public programs, events, or comparable guest-facing activities from concept through completion, including scheduling, staffing, logistics, and follow-up.
- Prior experience supervising or leading employees, volunteers, vendors, or cross-functional teams during programs or events.
- Experience coordinating multiple departments or outside partners and managing competing priorities and deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions, solve problems, and remain effective during live events or high-traffic guest operations.
- Experience communicating with the public, presenting information to groups, and resolving guest concerns professionally.
- Ability to take ownership of assigned programs, work independently, and be accountable for results. This is not an entry-level program position; the successful candidate must be prepared to assume manager-level responsibility after orientation to Museum procedures.
- Availability to work a flexible schedule that may include weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong people and communication skills, including diplomacy and empathy
- Demonstrated ability to plan and execute a multi-department public event from concept through after-action review
- Ability to coordinate effectively across multiple departments, staff levels, and outside partners to deliver a single, unified program
- Enthusiasm to work as a team member and for the success of the Museum
- Ability to remain calm and effective during high-traffic times and under event-day pressure
- Ability to help keep individuals calm who may be uncomfortable with heights or small spaces
- Ability to project and communicate effectively.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents.
- Ability to respond effectively to inquiries or complaints.
- Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on museum topics.
- Takes considerable initiative, creativity, judgment, and problem-solving.
- Requires being able to deal with difficult people or situations; and establishing and maintaining cooperative and productive work relationships.
- Ability to excite and engage guests with the stories and exhibits within the museum and viewable from the tower.
Education, Experience and Skill:
- Degree from an accredited college or university is highly preferred, especially in History, Tourism, or Event/Program Management.
- Prior experience planning or leading public events, programs, or presentations required.
- Quality experience and skill may substitute for education; aviation background helpful.
Working Conditions:
- Work is performed in offices, exhibit hangars, outdoor areas, and event spaces, including areas that may not be climate controlled.
- Requires frequent standing and walking, occasional stair climbing, bending and reaching, and extended periods of computer work.
- Must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds independently and move heavier materials with assistance or appropriate equipment.
- Must be able to work in heat, humidity, noise, crowds, and changing weather conditions.
- Schedule may include weekends, evenings, holidays, early mornings, and extended hours for programs and special events.
Benefits:
- Free Parking
- 401k Safe Harbor Plan with Match
- Medical/Dental Benefits w/low cost employee contribution
- Employee Assistance Program
- Vacation and Sick Leave
- Paid Holidays based on position