Director – Challenger Learning Center

Job Summary

Hawkeye Community College is looking for a full-time Challenger Learning Center Director to join our team.

The future belongs to creative thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators. Hawkeye Community College is helping students prepare for that future. Hawkeye is developing a Challenger Learning Center (CLC), part of a nationally recognized network, that will bring STEM learning to life through immersive, space-themed simulations. Students will work together as a mission crew, take on real-world STEM roles, complete hands-on activities, and solve challenges that require communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.  Designed primarily for students in grades 5–8, the center will introduce young learners to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at a time when many are beginning to imagine their future careers. The center will also create opportunities for high school and college students, educators, community organizations, business partners, and families to engage with STEM in new and exciting ways. Once open, Hawkeye’s Challenger Learning Center will be the only one in Iowa, expanding access to immersive STEM education for students, educators, and communities across the state.

Reporting to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, you will lead our Challenger Learning Center designed to inspire learners of all ages. As the Director, you are the liaison to the National Challenger Center, and spokesperson for space and science education in our community/region. From shaping strategic plans alongside an active Advisory Council to overseeing facility enhancements and community partnerships, you will spearhead an institution dedicated to making science accessible, thrilling, and transformative. Specifically, in this role, you will manage a team of educators and support staff. You will oversee the budget, secure grants, and run public outreach across local schools and media. By expanding hands-on learning, summer programs, and community partnerships, your work will help shape the future of STEM education.

Apply today if you want to ignite a passion for discovery as the Director of the Challenger Learning Center at Hawkeye Community College.

Essential Job Functions

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Develops, implements, and regularly evaluates the Center’s strategic plan in collaboration with the Advisory Council and key stakeholders.
• Active role in planning efforts related to start-up, renovation, expansion, and continuous improvement of facilities and programs.
• Identifies risks and opportunities and recommends adjustments to ensure organizational goals are achieved.
• Designs, advertises, and facilitates social media presence and all public outreach, on and off-site bringing all types of science to a broad audience.
• Attends conferences and workshops to represent the Challenger Learning Center.
• Exercises sound decision making for meaningful decisions on behalf of the Challenger Learning Center.
• Serves as the Challenger Learning Center’s brand ambassador in the community.

Fiscal Management

• Develops and manages the annual operating budget; ensures responsible and transparent use of resources.
• Collaborates with development partners, foundations, and grant offices to advance financial sustainability.
• Ensures timely approval, documentation, and reporting of expenditures and financial activities.
• Coordinates staffing schedules for program preparation, camps, missions, outreach events, and educational programming.
• Oversees, trains, mentors, and provides ongoing support for the Education-Curriculum Coordinator and full-time Flight Directors, camp staff, volunteers, and hourly educational personnel.
• Develops, revises, and maintains staff training procedures and operational guidelines.
• Leads or assists with recruitment, onboarding, and professional development efforts for educational staff to encompass the overall functions of staff leadership training and supervision.
• Attends and participates in college meetings, Challenger Center Headquarters staff meetings, professional conferences, and workshops, while leading the CLC’s staff meetings and training events.

Community Outreach, Partnerships and Marketing

• Builds and maintains collaborative partnerships with schools, educators, businesses, STEM organizations, community groups, and regional partners.
• Coordinates and supports outreach initiatives, fundraising events, donor engagement activities, and community partnership events.
• Promotes NASA, Challenger Center, and STEM education resources through educator communication, workshops, conferences, and presentations.
• Provides tours and presentations for prospective donors, administrators, educators, and community members.
• Assists with marketing efforts, social media communication, educator newsletters, promotional materials, and public awareness initiatives.
• Represents the Challenger Learning Center at conferences, exhibitions, and professional meetings.

Program Operations and Administration

• Manages program evaluation processes and assists with data collection, reporting, and continuous program improvement efforts.
• Assists with development and implementation of Challenger Learning Center calendars, schedules, and program logistics.
• Maintains accurate program records, donor allocations, registrations, inventories, and operational documentation.
• Orders supplies and materials needed for camps, workshops, missions, and public programs.
• Collaborates with technical support providers regarding mission hardware/software upgrades, repairs, and operational improvements.
• Supports Hawkeye Community College’s CLC missions leading and assuming various responsibilities during high-volume programming periods or summer operations as needed.
• Assists in developing and updating policies related to safety, educational practices, volunteers, medical concerns, confidentiality, and facility operations.
• Submits receipts, reports, updates, and operational information to administrative leadership as required.
• Responds calmly and effectively to operational challenges and participant needs in fast-paced learning environments.

• Participates in campus committees as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Unless otherwise approved under Hawkeye’s remote work policy, regular on campus and/or onsite attendance is considered an essential function of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Communications/English, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, STEM-related fields, or related disciplines.
• Five (5) years of progressive leadership or program management experience in education, STEM programming, camp management, youth development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating events, educational programming, workshops, or student-focused activities.
• Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience.
• Demonstrated administrative experience managing an office.
• Demonstrated knowledge of budget administration.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage students, educators, parents, administrators, donors, staff, and community audiences.
• Demonstrated organizational, planning, multitasking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in both in-person and virtual educational environments.
• Demonstrated technological efficiency and current proficiency required to effectively utilize educational technologies, mission simulation systems, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office suite, and standard workplace digital tools.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate as both an independent contributor and a member of a team-oriented organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide array of students, faculty, staff, and the general public.
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal communication.
• Demonstrated ability to execute organization and department policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential/sensitive information with discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master degree preferred
• Interest, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn about STEM education, NASA initiatives, and space science required.