Operations Manager for the VISTA Science Experience Center

Your Responsibilities

VISTA Science Experiences is the science outreach program of ISTA, dedicated to making cutting-edge research accessible to a broad audience and inspiring diverse groups of all ages to engage with science. A key milestone will be the opening of the VISTA Science Experience Center in fall 2025. This center with 1.000 square meters, featuring a Research Gallery (500 m²), workshop space (100 m²), an auditorium, a café and a gift-shop will be an internationally visible science experience hub with a clear focus on 21st century science, its processes and people. To ensure a successful launch and smooth operations of the VISTA Science Experience Center, we are looking for an experienced Operations Manager. In this key role, you will lead a team of up to ten staff members, including a marketing manager, project- and event managers, science mediators, and reception/support personnel.

• Lead all administrative and operational aspects of the newly established VISTA Science Experience Center
• Oversee day-to-day operations, translate strategic goals into actionable work plans, and support the Head of Science Education in budgeting, controlling, financial reporting and strategic decision-making
• Establish, and optimize administrative and organizational processes to deliver VISTA activities effectively to diverse target groups (focus on the VISTA Science Experience Center)
• Supervise and develop the VISTA Operations team as well as liaise with other internal divisions (e.g. finance, campus services,..) and relevant external stakeholders (e.g. other science centers and research galleries, museums, …)

Your Profile

• Academic degree in business administration or any other relevant field; education/experience in science outreach is a plus
• Proven work experience in managing organizational units, ideally in the context of a museum, a science center or any other relevant cultural institutions
• Experience with running a strategically developed event portfolio is a plus
• Proven experience in budgeting, controlling, reporting, and grant writing
• High understanding of the national and international science center community
• Excellent communication and presentation skills in English, German skills are beneficial
• Strong leadership, team player and interpersonal skills
• High degree of strategic thinking paired with creativity and an open-minded personality
• Ability to strategically prioritize and maintain an overview when managing various projects simultaneously
• Excellent organizational skills and high degree of resilience
• Strong service orientation and detailed understanding of diverse target groups and stakeholders, in particular visitors, scientists and educators