Manager of Floor Experience & Engagement

Position Description

Job Title: Manager of Floor Experience & Engagement

Department: Engagement & Experience

Reports To: Managing Director of Engagement, Managing Director of Experience

FLSA Status: Full-time (exempt)

Salary Range: $47,000-$50,000

To Apply: Please submit your cover letter and resume to Andrea Harp, Chief of Staff, at officeofthepresident@mi-sci.org.

PITCH

Join a highly collaborative, mission-driven team at the Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) dedicated to putting youth, families, and communities in Detroit and across the state of Michigan, “at the center of science.” The Manager of Floor Experience & Engagement plays a pivotal frontline leadership role, ensuring that every public day at Mi-Sci is welcoming, safe, energetic, and inspiring.

This role blends real-time floor operations, guest experience and engagement, education, performance, coaching, and security/safety leadership. The Manager of Floor Experience & Engagement is a highly-visible leader who sets the tone, coordinates the experience, delivers compelling STEM content, and supports staff and volunteers in creating memorable, family-friendly experiences for guests of all ages.

DESCRIPTION

Reporting jointly to the Managing Director of Engagement and the Managing Director of Experience, the Manager of Floor Experience & Engagement is responsible for the day-to-day execution of Mi-Sci’s public-facing operations during open hours. This position serves as the primary manager on duty for the public floor, coordinating staff deployment, guest experience, live demonstrations, stage programming, operational readiness, and safety across exhibits, theaters, stages, and public spaces.

The Manager of Floor Experience & Engagement is expected to be hands-on and highly visible, capable of stepping into live demonstrations, leading stage activities, representing Mi-Sci on camera for media or promotional opportunities, and coaching staff in real time. This role will share responsibilities with other floor positions, providing alternating coverage to ensure consistent leadership presence during public hours, including weekdays and weekends, through coordinated scheduling.

Our Vision 

To be a catalyzing FORCE for the FUTURE of STEAM education in Detroit and a dynamic destination in Michigan, making Mi-Sci accessible, engaging, and transformative for all, fostering a vibrant, culturally relevant, community STEAM hub where learning is deeply personal, profoundly social, and inherently joyful.

Our Mission 

We put YOU at the CENTER of SCIENCE by inspiring and cultivating a lifelong passion for learning through personalized, immersive, interactive, and playful experiences that connect communities and invite people to SEE THEMSELVES in STEAM.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Floor Operations Leadership and Real-Time “On Floor” Coordination (30%)

Ensures smooth, safe, and well-coordinated daily public programming and operations across all floor environments, including stages and theater spaces.

• Serve as the primary Manager on Duty (MOD) during assigned public hours, acting as the central point of coordination for floor activity.
• Coordinate staffing coverage, deployment, and transitions across galleries, theaters, stages, and public zones based on real-time guest flow, field trips, and events.
• Act as the communication hub between Engagement and Experience teams, ensuring clarity, responsiveness, and alignment throughout the day.
• Adjust schedules, demonstrations, programs, and activations in real time to maintain flow, guest satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
• Support the everyday readiness of public spaces and collaborate with technical, theater, and facilities teams to resolve operational issues quickly.

1. Guest Experience, Engagement Strategy, and Hospitality Leadership (25%)

Creates welcoming, joyful, and memorable experiences for guests through intentional engagement and human-centered service.

• Set the tone, energy, and hospitality standard for the public floor, modeling warmth, inclusivity, and professionalism.
• Facilitate Mi-Sci’s daily guest engagement strategy, ensuring fun, K–12 school- and family-friendly experiences throughout weekdays and weekends.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for guest concerns and service recovery, turning challenges into positive experiences whenever possible.
• Support wayfinding, guest communication, and clarity around schedules, programs, and experiences.
• Ensure guest interactions and experiences align with Mi-Sci’s Quality Standards and commitment to putting YOU at the center of science.

1. Live Demonstrations, Stage Programming, and Media Presence (20%)

Brings science to life through performance, presentation, and public-facing storytelling.

• Co-design, perform, and lead LIVE SCIENCE programming and demonstrations, pop-up STEAM activities, and stage-based programming as needed.
• Train, support, and elevate educators, presenters, performers, and on-floor engagement staff.
• Engage guests directly through inquiry-based facilitation, storytelling, and interactive learning moments.
• Serve as an on-camera representative for Mi-Sci during media interviews, promotional opportunities, and special events when appropriate.
• Help ensure consistent quality, safety, and energy across all live and facilitated experiences.

1. Staff Coaching, Training, and Safety Leadership (15%)

Builds confident, capable, and guest-centered teams through coaching, training, and preparedness.

• Coach and mentor staff and volunteers in excellent customer service, guest engagement, and professional presence.
• Facilitate on-the-floor training related to demonstrations, communication, hospitality, and engagement best practices.
• Support training and readiness around emergency preparedness, safety protocols, and incident response to ensure a secure environment for guests, staff, and volunteers.
• Reinforce expectations, standards, and best practices through modeling and real-time feedback.

1. Systems, Tools, and Continuous Improvement (10%)

Supports operational excellence through effective tools, documentation, and innovation.

• Utilize office productivity software and applications (scheduling, documents, presentations, communication tools) to support daily operations and coordination.
• Comfortably and creatively use AI tools to assist with planning, communication, training resources, and guest engagement strategies, where appropriate.
• Participate in daily debriefs, reflections, and continuous improvement efforts to strengthen floor operations and guest experience.
• Document insights, patterns, and opportunities to inform leadership and improve future programming and operations.

EXPERIENCE

• 3-5 years of experience in guest experience, operations, education, customer service, hospitality, performing arts, or related fields
• 3-5 years in a supervisory role leading staff, volunteers, and/or teams
• Experience coaching or training staff and volunteers preferred
• Experience performing demonstrations, presentations, or stage-based programming preferred
• Experience in museums, science centers, cultural institutions, or visitor attractions strongly preferred

EDUCATION

B.A. or B.S. from an accredited four-year college or university (required)

Degree in education, STEM, communications, hospitality, or related field (preferred)

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Driver’s License. No other formal certificates required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to lift up to 40-50 lbs. and, with reasonable accommodation, move throughout the building, stand for extended periods, operate demonstrations, and support hands-on activities and emergency response if required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Works primarily onsite in public-facing environments, including galleries, theaters, stages, and event spaces. The schedule includes weekdays and weekends, with variable shifts to ensure coverage during public hours. Weekend, holiday, and evening work may be required during special events, media engagements, and high-volume days.

DUTIES DISCLAIMER

This job description describes the general nature, hours, expectations, and level of work performed. It does not imply these are the only duties required. Responsibilities may evolve to meet institutional needs. Employees are expected to represent Mi-Sci as a welcoming, inclusive, and safe learning environment where creativity is valued, and reliability is essential.

DUTIES

This job description describes the general nature, hours, expectations, and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned by the job. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by the supervisor or senior management. Requirements are subject to change and may be modified to reasonably accommodate evolving institutional needs and individuals with disabilities. At all times, employees are expected to help our guests discover the highlights of the Science Center and Midtown cultural campus, to be curious about our offerings, and to have positive, new, and exciting experiences.  Creativity is valued, and reliability is prized. We are a guest and visitor-focused business, and we represent a welcoming, tolerant, and fun learning environment.

EEO

Michigan Science Center is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from women and from candidates from racial and ethnic minorities. It is the policy of Michigan Science Center to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.  Persons who do not meet all the listed criteria but who feel that their knowledge, skills, and experience make them well-qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Submit your resume and cover letter through Indeed using the link above, or email your materials directly to Andrea Harp, Chief of Staff, at officeofthepresident@mi-sci.org.