Title: Education Manager 

Position Reports to: Vice President of Education 

Direct Reports: Department Coordinators, Leads, and Front-line Staff 

About Butterfly Pavilion:   

At Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. Butterfly Pavilion is the first stand-alone, Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited non-profit invertebrate zoo in the world and a leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection. Butterfly Pavilion exists  to foster an appreciation of invertebrates by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future.    

Our Core Values are a large part of who we are as an organization:    

• • Make Science Cool    

• • Love What You Do    

• • Go Above and Beyond    

• • Lead Change    

• • Know Your Stuff    

• • Be Positive    

• • Welcome All    

These aren’t just words, but words to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion.   

FLSA Status: Exempt | Full-Time 

Work Schedule: Onsite | Sunday-Thursday | Occasional weekends/evenings as required.  

Hiring Salary Range: $58,000 – $60,000; starting salary is based on relevant experience. 

Benefits:   

• • Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life/AD&D, LTD, STD, and Employee Assistance Program. 

• • Voluntary Life, ID Shield, Legal Shield, and Pet Insurance plans available. 

• • Retirement Savings 401(k) Plan with employer match. 

• • Paid holidays, vacation, sick time. 

• • Two personal holidays per year. 

• • Butterfly Pavilion Membership and 25% Gift Shop discount  

Position Summary:   

The Education Manager provides strategic leadership, daily operations, and team development of Butterfly Pavilion’s Education Department. This role collaborates closely with the Exhibit Interpretation and other guest-facing teams to ensure aligned planning, staffing coordination, and high-quality educational experiences across all programs. 

The Education Manager maintains primary ownership of school programs, camps, youth outreach and afterschool programs, field trips, virtual programs, and grant-funded programs.  

This role provides leadership coverage on a schedule intentionally structured to complement other guest-facing leadership roles, ensuring operational leadership support for onsite interpretation and public programs as needed to maintain continuity and quality standards.  

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:  

Departmental Leadership & Cross-functional Collaboration  

Department Leadership  

• • Provide leadership within the Education Department, ensuring consistent expectations, communication, and support across all coordinators and program areas.  

• • Oversee and execute hiring, onboarding, performance management, and professional development of staff. 

• • Provide regular coaching, conduct one-on-one meetings, and address performance concerns to support staff’s success and accountability.  

• • Foster a cohesive and inclusive team culture that emphasizes collaboration across all program areas. 

• • Promote cross-training and shared operational awareness to strengthen team capacity, operational resilience, and continuity.  

• • Align with Education and Guest Experience leadership on staffing plans to ensure program effectiveness.  

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• • Coordinate scheduling, leadership coverage, and daily operations with interpretation and other guest-facing teams to support seamless department functioning across all days of operation. 

• • Maintain consistent communication regarding team needs, priorities, and emerging issues to support timely and aligned decision-making.  

• • Collaboratively develop, implement, and maintain Education Department Standard Operating Procedures with stakeholder’s across the organization. 

• • Collaborate with department leaders across the organization and Volunteer Program staff on oversight of volunteers and interns by establishing common expectations, training standards and support practices. 

School Programs, Camps, and Outreach 

Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight 

• • Provide strategic and operational leadership for school programs, camps, field trips, afterschool programs, virtual education, and youth, adult, and community outreach initiatives, including grant-funded programs. 

• • Align annual program calendars, goals, and budgets with organizational objectives and Education Learning Framework.  

• • Own revenue targets for school programs, camps, and outreach, and develop strategies to meet or exceed financial and participation goals.  

• • Collaborate with the marketing team to support successful sales strategies, enrollment growth, and clear, mission-aligned communications.  

Decision-Making & Performance Accountability 

• • Participate in strategic planning and decision-making discussions with Education Department and organizational leadership to set program priorities and long-term direction.  

• • Utilize data and performance metrics to inform decisions, evaluate program effectiveness, and guide continuous improvement.  

• • Establish clear goals and expectations for program teams, holding staff accountable for results and follow-through.  

Resource & Compliance Management  

• • Allocate and manage resources effectively across programs, including staffing, budgets, materials, and schedules.  

• • Ensure compliance with Butterfly Pavilion policies, USDA and AZA standards, and applicable regulatory requirements, including childcare licensure where relevant.   

• • Utilize and improve organizational systems and tools to support efficient program operations and administrative effectiveness. 

Curriculum, Innovation & Growth 

• • Oversee the development and continuous improvement of curriculum and educational experiences aligned with the Education Learning Framework  

• • Lead the design and launch of new programs and initiatives that expand the department’s reach, impact, and earned revenue.  

• • Support innovation across programs to advance quality, relevance, and guest and participant engagement.  

Collaboration & Cross-Department Partnership:  

• • Collaborate with the VP of Education and Development team on grant strategy, funding alignment, and reporting for relevant programs.  

• • Work in close partnership with the Curatorial team to plan and deliver live animal experiences across education programs, ensuring alignment with animal availability, USDA and AZA compliance, and consistent educational messaging focused on animal welfare and conservation.  

• • Collaborate with other departments to align programming with institutional priorities and best practices.  

Team Leadership & Development

• • Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development for program staff within the School Programs, Camps, and Outreach Area of Responsibility, fostering a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.  

• • Promote cross-training and mentorship across program areas to strengthen team capacity, professional growth, and operational resilience.  

• • Ensure clear operational standards and consistent practices through the development, implementation and maintenance of program Standard Operating Procedures.  

• • Support program leaders in managing escalating issues, stakeholder relationships, and complex operational needs.  

• • Perform other duties consistent with the scope and responsibilities of the role, as assigned.    

 Position Qualifications and Experience:   

• • Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental sciences, natural resources, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• • Minimum of three (3) years of experience managing and developing staff. 

• • Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with school-aged children in a camp, school, or childcare setting. 

• • Must meet Colorado Department of Early Childhood requirements for overseeing camp programs, including: 

• • A degree in education or  

• • An associate degree combined with 455 hours of supervising four or more children over the age of four or  

• • 3,185 hours supervising four or more children over the age of four. 

• • Demonstrated experience developing curriculum and planning educational programs   

• • Familiarity with Colorado Academic Standards and relevant national education standards. 

• • Experience working effectively with individuals of varied ages, abilities, and backgrounds. 

• • Strong classroom and large-group management skills. 

• • Excellent organizational, communication, and guest service skills. 

• • Solution-oriented and adaptable, with the ability to troubleshoot operational and programmatic challenges. 

• • Comfortable engaging with diverse audiences in dynamic teaching and guest-facing environments. 

• • Proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office, as well as scheduling, and database systems. 

• • Valid driver’s license and proof of current automobile insurance meeting state minimum requirements.  

• • CPR and First Aid certification required within one year of hire or prior to the primary teaching season, whichever occurs first. 

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:   

While performing the responsibilities of this position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the position will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.   

At Butterfly Pavilion, the employee is occasionally exposed to moderate to loud environmental noise for extended periods of time.  

While performing the responsibilities of this position, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and stand, use their hands and fingers, to handle/feel/grasp. The employee is occasionally required to reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Employee should be able to lift and carry and items up to 30 lbs.