Director of Public Engagement (Full-Time)

Working at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens offers you the opportunity to work for one of the most beautiful places in Nashville. Formerly the home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, Cheekwood now serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and museum with period rooms and art galleries. At Cheekwood, you'll have the opportunity to explore a wide range of roles tailored to your skills and interests. Whether you're passionate about horticulture, art curation, historical preservation, or one of our many other career opportunities, you would have the chance to thrive and make a meaningful impact here. Working in such a place that cherishes its rich history, vibrant art scene, and serene gardens offers a unique blend of fulfillment and inspiration. You'll find yourself in a supportive environment where every day brings new opportunities for personal and professional growth, amidst the backdrop of picturesque setting.

Position Summary:

The Director of Public Engagement designs and implements a broad range of programs intended to reach visitors of all ages and abilities, including children, families, and adults. Cheekwood’s public programs provide unique opportunities for visitors to experience our botanical garden, historic home, and museum of art through activities that enrich, educate, and entertain. Candidate should be creative and highly organized with experience in public program planning and logistics.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

1. Develops, manages, and oversees all aspects of on-site public programs including, but not limited to:

• Seasonal Festivals: Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood Harvest, Holiday Lights
• Programs enhancing art exhibitions, botanical garden displays and historic initiatives

2. Manages the Public Programs Coordinator

3. Works closely with museum, garden, and other education staff to develop and implement public programs, expanding on annual themes, exhibitions and horticultural seasons.

4. Plans, oversees, and executes the Great Spring Art Hunt, the Exposition of Excellence: Cheekwood Classic Car Show and multicultural celebrations, including but not limited to Holi, the Black Arts Bash, Japanese Moon Viewing, and El Dia de los Muertos.

5. Oversees program logistics, planning, and execution, including production, set-up, and tear-down.

6. Utilizes Altru software to schedule programs and create customer registration.

7. Seeks out community partners, speakers, etc. to secure participation in public programs.

8. Maintains public programs calendar, attendance statistics and evaluation data.

9. Provides accurate and timely information for marketing and website information.

10. Responsible for managing budget and meeting expense/revenue goals related to public programs.

11. Directs public program team as needed on weekends and after hours.

12. Actively researches opportunities for public programs. Prepares cost benefit analysis for presentation at internal meetings; analyzes the effectiveness and cost benefit of all programs for annual review; outlines annual goals, schedules, & timelines for all on-site public programs.

1. Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, education, entertainment industry, or related field

2. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Must Have

a. Five years of experience in programming at an arts organization, museum, live entertainment, or production company

b. Experience managing high-capacity employees, as well as project-based contractors.

c. Self-directed and able to manage multiple projects at once.

d. Able to work varied hours and weekends.

e. Strategic thinking, collaboration, and leadership

f. Ability to multi-task while working with accuracy with close attention to detail.

g. Excellent written and oral communication skills and comfort with public speaking

h. Dedication to serving a mission-driven organization.

Preferred

a. Horticultural knowledge a plus.

b. First aid training is a plus.

Benefits

The well-being of Cheekwood employees is essential. So, when it comes to our benefits package, we offer one of the best. We offer the following benefits to all full-time employees:

• Health Insurance with an HRA
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood)
• Long Term Disability Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• 403b and Roth 403b with a generous employer match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off and 11 Paid Holidays
• Aflac products are offered

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) Statement

Cheekwood is committed to embracing, pursuing, and celebrating inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility among our board, staff, leadership, partners, vendors, volunteers, members, supporters and visitors.

We will be steadfast in our efforts to welcome people of all races, nationalities, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, religions, political affiliations, ages and abilities. We recognize we have much work to do and pledge to pursue new and previously underrepresented ideas, artists, advisors, partners, instructors, innovators and audiences so that all voices can be heard, respected and supported.

**Cheekwood employees have an opportunity to participate in an active Diversity Committee promoting inclusivity and engagement.