About Thinkery
Thinkery is a nonprofit children’s museum and STEAM learning hub that empowers children to be confident, creative thinkers. With a mission to lead the future of play-based learning, Thinkery creates joyful, hands-on educational experiences that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. Anchored in the Meredith Learning Lab in Austin’s Mueller neighborhood, Thinkery recently opened a second site in Del Valle—the region’s first neighborhood-based museum and home to its STEAM Learning Institute.
Each year, Thinkery welcomes more than 200,000 visitors and serves thousands of families, educators, and school partners through museum exhibits, family programs, camps, professional development, and early learning initiatives. With a growing emphasis on accessibility, and impact, Thinkery is reimagining what a 21st-century children’s museum can be: a community connector, a resource for caregivers, and a champion of inclusive, playful learning.
This is a rare opportunity for an inclusive, dynamic, and emotionally intelligent leader to shape what’s next for an institution that means so much to so many—and to ensure all children have the opportunity to learn, play, and grow.
For more information about Thinkery, visit https://thinkeryaustin.org/
The Opportunity
Thinkery, a beloved Central Texas institution and recognized leader in play-based STEAM learning, seeks an inspiring and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth, impact, and innovation. This is a moment of significant opportunity for Thinkery. With a $5.6 million annual operating budget, a committed and growing community of supporters, and a capital campaign currently underway, the next CEO will take the helm at a time of dynamic possibility.
The CEO will provide overarching leadership for an organization that is both deeply rooted in its community and gaining national recognition as a model for informal learning, family engagement, and inclusive educational experiences. Thinkery’s reach is powered by a passionate and talented staff of approximately 40 full-time and 25 part-time team members, in addition to seasonal staff, and is supported by a dedicated 19-member Board of Directors.
Reporting to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer will be the primary executive leader of the organization—responsible for setting strategic direction, fostering a healthy and inclusive culture, and ensuring long-term financial and operational sustainability. The CEO will oversee the Executive Leadership Team, which includes a strong and seasoned Chief Operating Officer who manages day-to-day operations and program delivery. Together with this leadership team, the CEO will articulate a bold vision for Thinkery’s future, champion its mission, and cultivate the partnerships and resources needed to expand access and deepen impact across Central Texas and beyond.
Key Leadership Priorities
The next CEO will advance the following priorities:
Mission-Driven Strategy
The CEO will establish a bold but realistic roadmap that unites the museum’s two sites, programs, and staff around a shared sense of purpose. This includes building on Thinkery’s legacy of joyful learning while grounding future growth in organizational capacity, data, and financial sustainability.
Financial Stewardship and Fundraising
Thinkery’s next chapter depends on a leader who can both steward the organization’s finances and grow its contributed revenue. The CEO will bring experience cultivating individual and institutional donors, securing major gifts, and managing toward budgetary goals. They will work closely with the Board and development team to expand fundraising efforts and ensure long-term sustainability.
Organizational Culture and Team Alignment
To lead effectively, the CEO must assess and shape the internal culture in ways that foster collaboration, clarity, and performance. While staff across the organization have expressed a desire for visible and communicative leadership, the CEO will bring their own perspective and experience to guide change and improvement. Prioritizing internal trust and operational clarity will be essential to organizational health.
Community Partnerships
At its core, Thinkery exists to expand access to high-quality learning for all children. The next CEO will uphold this commitment by ensuring that the museum continues to be welcoming, inclusive, and community responsive. This includes sustaining and growing values-aligned initiatives, partnerships with local schools, and outreach to underserved families.
Elevate Thinkery’s Voice and Visibility
The CEO will serve as a passionate ambassador for Thinkery by representing the organization to funders, civic leaders, peer institutions, and families alike. They must bring the charisma and strategic communication skills to engage diverse audiences, grow the institution’s profile, and advocate effectively for the power of play-based learning.
Board Collaboration and Governance
The CEO will work in close partnership with the Board of Directors to ensure strong governance, alignment on strategic direction, and shared accountability for mission impact. This includes engaging the Board as thought partners and ambassadors, supporting effective board development, and fostering a culture of transparency, trust, and collaboration between board and staff.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will bring the following professional experiences:
- A track record of successful leadership in a nonprofit, youth-serving, cultural, or educational organization.
- Experience managing through complexity and growth, ideally across multiple sites or programs.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, define, and execute multi-year strategic plans with financial success.
- A proven ability to effectively articulate a vision to a broad community of stakeholders.
- Experience rallying and aligning teams to execute organizational priorities and plans.
- Strong financial and fundraising acumen, with experience building relationships with major donors and institutional funders.
- Cultural competence and a commitment to access for all, with an understanding of how to navigate diverse community needs and political contexts.
- Experience in informal education, early childhood learning, museums, or related sectors is highly desirable.
Qualifications
Candidates should demonstrate most of the following qualifications:
- Brings at least 10 years of progressive leadership experience, including executive-level responsibility in a children’s museum, nonprofit, youth-serving, education, or cultural institution. Prior experience as a CEO, Executive Director, or senior leader managing organizational growth or transformation is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans while effectively managing operations, budgets, and teams. Comfortable navigating the complexities of a multi-site organization and aligning programmatic goals with financial realities.
- Proven success cultivating and securing major gifts, stewarding institutional funders, and building strong relationships with donors, community leaders, and civic partners. Able to serve as the organization’s chief ambassador with authenticity and vision.
- Has worked in close partnership with a Board of Directors to guide strategic direction, ensure organizational accountability, and support strong governance practices.
- Demonstrates deep cultural competence and a clear commitment to inclusion, and access. Skilled at fostering inclusive team cultures and authentically engaging with diverse communities.
- Leads with humility, emotional intelligence, and a collaborative mindset. Creates space for staff voices, builds trust across levels, and is accessible and communicative as a leader.
- Experience leading organizations through growth, transition, or change, including team restructuring, program expansion, or cultural transformation. Brings clarity to complexity and guides teams through evolving environments with steadiness and care.
- Deeply aligned with Thinkery’s mission to serve all children through joyful, play-based learning. Brings a genuine belief in the power of informal education and lifelong learning.
Location
This position is based in Austin, Texas, where Thinkery’s two museum sites are located. While candidates may currently reside anywhere in the United States, the successful candidate must be willing to relocate to Austin to lead the organization in person. Relocation support may be considered.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $215,000-$235,000 and will be commensurate with experience. Thinkery also offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package that reflects its commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance.
The CEO will be eligible for affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as flexible spending and health savings account options. Thinkery provides 100% employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance, as well as basic life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Staff accrue 80 hours of vacation and 96 hours of sick time annually, in addition to 13 paid holidays. Thinkery also offers access to a 403(b) retirement plan, bereavement leave, and up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birthing parents (and 8 weeks for non-birthing parents).
Additional perks include flexible schedules, free general admission, employee discounts in the Thinkery Store, and free parking at the McBee Street District Garage. After six months, Thinkery team members also receive a complimentary Premier Family membership and discounts on select programs and events.
Thinkery’s EEO Statement
Thinkery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above-listed items.
To Be Considered
Please submit your resume and cover letter expressing your interest in the position and fit for the role via the “Become a Candidate” button [to be hyperlinked to GC profile NOT the portal link]. Letters may be addressed to Kevin Bryant.
Applicants applying by Monday, December 8th will be given priority consideration, with the position open until filled.
GoodCitizen has been exclusively retained by Thinkery to lead this search.
Kevin Bryant
Managing Director
Gabe Sapuay
Engagement Manager