ASSOCIATE MANAGER OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

The mission of the Children’s Museum Houston is to transform communities through innovative, child-centered learning that improves the trajectories of all children in Greater Houston.

For more than four decades, Children's Museum Houston has supported student achievement, empowered parents, and ignited a life-long love of learning. We are consistently rated as one of the top children's museums in the nation. Our programming serves more than 900,000 participants annually at the Museum, at the Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center, and at the 270 outreach locations across Greater Houston. We welcome families with offerings that include 13 exhibits, a performing arts series, a full slate of cultural programming, science activities led by degreed educators, and weekly Free Family Nights. 

Job Summary:

Children’s Museum Houston (CMH) seeks a Community Partnerships Manager to serve as an ambassador for CMH in the community and as the primary liaison with partner organizations. This role furthers the Museum’s mission by generating and maintaining strong partnerships with organizations whose goals are aligned with, or mutually beneficial to, those of CMH. The Community Partnerships Manager is responsible for cultivating relationships, coordinating collaborative initiatives, and ensuring that community partners are supported in creating meaningful opportunities for children and families across the Greater Houston Area.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Cultivating Partnerships

• Build and strengthen relationships with current and potential partners by aligning CMH resources with community needs and objectives.
• Recruit non-profit organizations to join the Open Doors program.
• Identify and prioritize partners whose goals align with CMH mission and strategy for future collaboration.
• Serve as a liaison between Open Doors partners and CMH, introducing individuals, organizations, and agencies that could be potential partners in advancing our mission and vision
• Conduct regular visits and check-ins with major Open Doors partners to maintain relationships and assess impact.
• Engage with the non-elected staff of city, state, and federal officials to help CMH promote the Open Doors program and CMH events to their constituents.
• Collaborate with CMH’s Reservations Coordinator and Visitor Experience Team to ensure smooth coordination of Open Doors group visits and provide a welcoming experience.
• Manage the pro-bono use of the Museum by strategic partners using our spaces for team building, staff development, and/or strategic planning.

Amplifying CMH’s Presence

• Represent CMH as a visible ambassador at partner-sponsored events, festivals, and conferences.
• Coordinate museum activations in the community, including logistics, staffing, and engaging activities.
• Ensure CMH’s mission and initiatives are clearly communicated across events, meetings, and partner interactions.
• Develop and distribute communication materials (including Open Doors newsletters, in English and Spanish) to keep partners engaged and informed.
• Stay current with Museum and Outreach initiatives to accurately represent CMH in the community.

Advancing Equity

• Develop strategies to connect families to CMH resources
• Leverage partnerships to expand equitable access to Museum resources.
• Order and print Family Passes for Community Outreach Programs.
• Manage and track distribution of Open Doors Family Passes by partners.

Team & Leadership Duties

• Supervise and mentor part-time staff in event preparation and community engagement.
• Coordinate staff support from the Visitor Engagement Team for community activations.
• Collaborate internally across departments to integrate community partnerships into CMH programs and priorities.
• Manage event logistics, including supplies, attendance tracking, and evaluation.
• Capture and report on outcomes of community events including figures, stories and photos.

Other duties

• Assist in Outreach programs and in Museum galleries as needed.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills and Qualifications

Education: 

Experience: 

• Minimum 2 years of experience in a related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills in English and Spanish.
• Office experience in a rapidly changing environment.

Other Requirements

• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to changing schedule.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management both internal and external to the Museum and with partners.
• Ability to discern the sensitivity of internal/external communications in a large public organization and an awareness of the elements of public relations.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and some weekends.
• Ability to travel throughout the city and region to represent the Museum in a variety of settings, to use own transportation with appropriate mileage reimbursement, and have a valid Texas Driver’s License with appropriate insurance coverage.
• Comfortable with driving a cargo van to transport Museum supplies and event equipment when needed.
• Knowledge of community resources 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with at least intermediate-level skills in Word and Excel. Must be PC literate in MS Office environment, have proven ability to work at an intermediate level in Word and Excel.

Physical Requirements

• Pushing/pulling cart and dolly
• Bending at knees
• Stooping/climbing
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.
• Lifting and setting up tables

We believe in creating an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion, without bias. We know we are better when we are developed, engaged, and able to bring our whole authentic selves to work.  Our people are trusted experts. We invest in the health and well-being of our workforce, train, and reward talent, and develop leaders at all levels to bring out the best in each other. 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.