Manager of Historical Interpretation presso Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18^th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.  

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

The Manager of Historical Interpretation serve as the principal liaisons to other Colonial Williamsburg departments in the care and custody of historic sites and venues in the Historic Area and maintain the interpretive site plans and training materials specific to each site and venue. This role is vital in developing and managing the interpretive plan and training of sites it manages as well as tracking the budget for the team along with others.

Main Duties:

•  Develop interpretive plans, training materials, and operational directions for 3-4 sites or venues.
•  Develops and maintains initial, refresher, and advanced training for sites and venues for DHI staff and other CWF staff as needed.
•  Collaborates with colleagues on interpretive planning and training teams to equip interpretive staff with knowledge and guidance to interpret at sites and venues under their management.
•  Provides day-to-day work direction to supervisors, lead interpreters, and interpreters, focused on maintaining a steady workflow of tours and programs. Resolves operational challenges.
•  Collaborates with the Program Design and Historic Research teams in the ideation, creation, development, production, and assessment of tours and programs.
•  Ensures appropriate processes and approvals are obtained for prop requests, use of Historic Area venues, and maintenance needs.
•  Responsible for monitoring the 18th century appearance of the Historic Area and the quality of interpretive programs presented there.
•  Serves as a Daily Program Manager (DPM) alongside the other members of the DHI leadership team (supervisors and lead interpreters).
•  All managers are responsible for coaching and developing their teams, completing any disciplinary actions for their teams, and any other administrative functions as needed for their team.
•  Monitor and enforce compliance with all safety policies and procedures.
•  All other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

•  Bachelor's degree in History, Public History, or Museum Studies or a program equivalent.
•  2 or more years of professional experience in managing, leading, and training interpretative teams.
•  5 or more years of experience in interpretation, museum exhibitions, or relevant experience related to the role.
•  Experience with creative public program development/assessment and insight into procedures and protocol structure.

Preferred Qualifications:
•  Master's degree in History, Public History, or Museum Studies with experience in program development, execution, and content training.
•  5 or more years of professional experience in managing, leading, and training interpretative teams.
Key Skills / Competencies:
•  Ability to develop training sessions using a variety of sources including primary and secondary documents, images, and artifacts.
•  Must be able to multi-task, effectively prioritize responsibilities and complete projects in a timely manner.
•  Must have outstanding organizational skills.
•  Strong written and verbal communication skills.
•  Adept in understanding historic context and the ability to convey early American history.
•  Ability to adapt to change.
•  Strong ability to provide leadership and support to colleagues in various initiatives. Including mentor/train team members/volunteers; manage schedules for tours/programs. Overseeing time management, including timesheets, and daily operation
•  Provides notes detailing attendance, challenges, and other concerns to colleagues that impact operations and deter a positive work environment.
•  Excellent presentation and team building skills.
•  Ability to communicate tour and program information to a variety of audiences.
•  Follows defined processes and procedures and document situations for long-term resolutions.
•  Ensures all museum guests have a positive experience through customer service excellence.
•  Willingness to dress in historical clothing, as museum operations require.
•  Embracing an inclusive environment; ability and willingness to work with individuals of diverse backgrounds.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Direct: 2 supervisors .    Indirect: 20 staff in the Department of Historical Interpretation.
Coordinate volunteers for the Liberty Lounge and Ambassador programs, junior interpreters, and interns.

Physical and Environmental Demands:
•  Standing and walking frequently (up to 5 hours/shift)
•  Sitting occasionally (up to 2 hours/shift)
•  Occasionally lifting up to 25 lbs (up to 2 hours/shift)
•  Occasionally lifting 50 lbs (with assistance) (up to 2 hours/shift)

Typical Work Schedule:
8:30-5:00pm
Holidays, weekends and/or evenings