About Discovery Place, Inc.
For the past 75 years, Discovery Place, Inc. brings science, nature, and design together to create transformative experiences that enable the community to understand, enjoy, and apply science to their lives. As a leader among science and technology centers and children’s museums in the country, Discovery Place serves learners of all ages from the Charlotte region and throughout the Carolinas, as well as visitors from around the world, engaging nearly 650,000 people annually. Discovery Place is home to a family of four Museums in the Charlotte region as well as outreach programs delivered at schools and community sites throughout the Carolinas and a STEM Center for Career Development that is home to their Youth Development programming.
Discovery Place is redefining what a modern museum can be—combining innovative programming with a scalable, sustainable business model. Guided by community input, the organization is curating a diverse portfolio of experiences designed to spark lifelong engagement.
Charlotte Museum of Nature
When Charlotte Nature Museum opened in 1946, it was one of the first natural science museums in the Southeast. Three generations have explored the wonders of the world in its original 10,000 square foot space and the Museum has grown to serve nearly 60,000 visitors annually. Construction on what will now be The Charlotte Museum of Nature began in 2024 with a reimagined focus to connect visitors to nature and science through an innovative indoor/outdoor 13-acre campus focused on the Piedmont region of the Carolinas. To learn more about the new Charlotte Museum of Nature, please visit Charlotte Museum of Nature. Discovery Place Science In the late 1970s, a group of community leaders sought to place Charlotte at the forefront of science and nature education, leading to the evolution and growth of Discovery Place as a multi-site organization. Discovery Place Science opened in 1981, providing a world-class science and technology museum for a growing metropolis. In its first 20 years, Discovery Place Science expanded twice. Its footprint grew from 72,000 square feet to 162,740 square feet across three buildings and two city blocks, and added one of the earliest IMAX dome theatres in the U.S.
Today, The Museum also includes a maker space, three interactive science labs, an immersive living rainforest, an aquarium, and Discovery Place’s permanent collections, which consist of approximately 30,000 natural history, natural science, and ethnographic artifacts and specimens. Discovery Place Kids
Engaging young learners and their families is a longtime focus of Discovery Place. An innovative strategy designed to be more accessible to a rapidly growing metro region led to the opening of the first Discovery Place Kids in 2010 in Huntersville , a Charlotte suburb. In 2013, a second Discovery Place Kids was opened in Rockingham, to serve families in rural communities and the nearby Fort Liberty military base.
All the Museums benefit from a public-private partnership with local governments who invest both annual and capital support. These public-private partnerships generate hometown pride and educational assets for local economic development.
Discovery Place’s Guiding Values:
SCIENCE LEADS US
We are "learn-it-all’s." If we don't know the answer to something, we ask questions, conduct research, create hypotheses and experiment. We know science is powerful and it can be used to create opportunities, build hope, solve problems and bring positive change in our world.
INTEGRITY GUIDES US
We bring our best selves to work each day and treat each other with respect, communicate honestly and openly, and hold each other accountable for living our values. As employees of Discovery Place, we're committed to living our values, however, we know none of us are perfect. When we see a teammate drift away from our values, we provide grace and a gentle reminder and keep moving forward - together.
EQUITY DRIVES US
Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are part of our DNA. All teammates and departments are treated equitably and held to the same standards. We find more value working together to leverage diverse knowledge and experience; we know the group is always smarter than the individual.
INNOVATION ENERGIZES US
We always have our eye on the future and seek to make a bigger impact on our community. We’re consistently innovating. Have a light bulb moment? Share it! No matter your role, everyone is encouraged to innovate. We learn from our failures and celebrate our successes. After all, that is what science is all about.
To learn more about Discovery Place, please visit Discovery Place Museums.
What’s Next
As one of the few multi-museum nonprofit organizations in the world, Discovery Place is poised to achieve its mission through new facilities growth, educational programming and experiential strategies. Discovery Place seeks to propel the institution’s impact regionally and nationally and to increase opportunities for economic and educational success for diverse audiences and all communities served.
The Chief Science Officer has the unique opportunity to work alongside a dedicated and ambitious leadership team and Board of Directors to identify new ways to advance the mission, further refine and promote Discovery Place’s scientific value proposition and play a critical role in providing strategic leadership around the following initiatives:
- Elevating Science Experiences
Today, the main priority is to complete the capital project and open the Charlotte Museum of Nature with a new facility and expanded outdoor experiences across the 13-acre, heavily forested campus. This museum will provide sophisticated and inclusive exhibits and programs that will engage visitors across all age groups. Charlotte Museum of Nature is slated to open in 2026.
Additionally, Discovery Place is stepping forward to help shape the future of science museums—offering leadership and insight into how a 20th-century institution can evolve to meet the needs of 21st-century communities. In partnership with the City of Charlotte, Museum leadership is ready to explore bold possibilities for Discovery Place Science—from a dynamic multi-species oceanarium to a reimagined center for science and technology.
- Growing the Discovery Place Kids Network
In parallel to the re-invention of its science and nature museums, Discovery Place is focused on critical quality-of-life indicators for families. Chief among those are the benefits that children’s museums can provide by building civic pride for suburban and rural communities, as well as the social capital that benefits communities with anchor institutions. As the Charlotte region continues to grow, so does the demand for institutions that enrich the lives of families with young children.
- Expanding Immersive and Interactive Digital Content
Discovery Place is committed to prioritizing immersive and interactive digital experiences as a central part of its future mission. These experiences introduce new dimensions of learning for audiences of all ages—both within the museum walls and beyond. The recent digital conversion of the Charlotte IMAX Dome Theatre at Discovery Place Science has expanded institutional capabilities, and digital innovation is expected to play an increasingly important role across the network
The Opportunity
Reporting to the President & CEO, the Chief Science Officer is the senior scientific officer for Discovery Place Science and the Charlotte Museum of Nature and serves as the public face of science for the institution. This visionary leader shapes and advances the museum’s mission and value proposition by guiding the development, accuracy, and delivery of scientific content across exhibitions, programs and experiences and by ensuring science is at the forefront of all Discovery Place does.
Collaborating closely with teams throughout the organization, the Chief Science Officer ensures that all science offerings are engaging, relevant, and grounded in inquiry-based, participatory learning. As the principal ambassador to the scientific, academic, and educational communities, the Chief Science Officer fosters partnerships and champions Discovery Place’s commitment to inspiring curiosity and promoting a deeper understanding of science for all audiences.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP
- Harness the collective skills of Discovery Place’s leadership, staff, trustees, and community partners to develop and implement Discovery Place Science and the Charlotte Museum of Nature museum’s scientific strategies that will enable the organization to become the cultural voice for science in our region.
- Engage thought leaders, researchers, and policy makers in academia, government, and regulatory bodies (national, state, and local) through partnerships and by expanding the reach, relevancy and support of Discovery Place Science and Charlotte Museum of Nature.
- Advise senior leadership and Board of Trustees on emerging scientific trends and opportunities for public engagement in science communication
- Be the public face of “science” for Discovery Place and lead efforts to attract audiences of all ages to the museums.
CONTENT & EXPERIENCES
- Lead the development and growth of content, educational programs, professional development and other initiatives at Discovery Place Science and Charlotte Museum of Nature in support of the Strategic Agenda.
- Consult, as needed, around science and engineering content and educational programming creation for the Discovery Place Kids museum network.
- Facilitate the development of hands-on programs and strategies to communicate science to diverse audiences. Attention should be given to Discovery Place’s special brand of informal STEM learning which makes science exciting, accessible, and fun.
- Lead a dynamic team overseeing living collections, museum collections, labs, educational programs, exhibitions (traveling and in-house produced), and identify services for teachers and schools.
- Foster an environment of innovation and creativity with a commitment to developing and retaining qualified staff and external partner relationships.
- Collaborate on plans for the role of IMAX and planetarium experiences at Discovery Place Science with strategies to grow Discovery Place’s capabilities in this area.
EDUCATION INITIATIVES & PARTNERSHIPS
- Advance and expand educational initiatives to address the needs and opportunities for communities using various strategies including but not limited to grants, contracts, earned revenue and partnerships. Direct the work of staff involved in implementing these initiatives.
- Build external partnerships in the K-12, higher education, and museum fields.
- Represent Discovery Place both nationally and internationally in scientific forums, collaborations, conferences, and the media.
- Mentor staff and contribute to professional development in science communication.
- Foster strong relationships with universities and post-secondary institutions to further Discovery Place’s ability to be a thought leader in science and nature.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
- Oversee the exhibition content and educational programmatic development in advance of the opening of the Charlotte Museum of Nature (opening in 2026).
- Manage the programmatic timeline and exhibition schedule for Discovery Place Science and the Charlotte Museum of Nature.
- Play a leading role in the growth of Discovery Place, including the development of new museums and reinvestment projects for existing museums. This includes playing an active role in fundraising efforts for capital projects.
RESPONSIBILITIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FELLOW SENIOR LEADERS
- In partnership with Exhibitions and Experiences, works closely with project teams to oversee the content, interpretation and operational plans for new and/or renovated facilities. Additionally, provide final selection and development of temporary exhibitions.
- In partnership with the Chief Learning Officer, work as a collaborative partner to provide and receive educational content and plans between the Discovery Place Kid’s and Charlotte Museum of Nature/Discovery Place Science. And, work collaboratively on evaluation initiatives throughout the museum network.
- In partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer, identify needs for external support, co-develop proposals, and build relationships with external funders and partners.
- In partnership with the Chief Marketing Officer, collaborate on educational priorities and audience needs/interest to ensure content selections offer a dynamic portfolio of programs, events, experiences, etc.
- In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, collaborate to create operational systems, processes and procedures for effective operations and growth.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will bring expertise in the following areas, along with the professional and personal qualities essential for success:
A Visionary Science Leader
The Chief Science Officer brings a demonstrated track record of success advancing an organization’s mission by guiding the development, accuracy and delivery of scientific content across exhibitions, living/non-living collections and programs/experiences, including experiential approaches. This leader will demonstrate the ability to lead teams that develop, uphold and promote scientific practices in both indoor and outdoor environments. The Chief Science Officer will also bring experience acting as a strategic partner to leadership around large-scale operational projects that support institutional growth, including capital projects and facility improvements. This includes a track record of involvement with capital and/or building campaigns.
An Effective Ambassador and Collaborator
As Discovery Place’s public face of science, the Chief Science Officer will be a compelling communicator and strategic connector. The ideal candidate will understand audience development and possess the ability to articulate vision and goals across all levels—from external stakeholders to internal teams. This leader will be a skilled ambassador within scientific, academic, and educational communities, with a history of building consensus through deep listening and inclusive collaboration. The Chief Science Officer will cultivate meaningful partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally, and advocate passionately for the Science & Nature team’s needs.
An Inspiring Team Leader
The Chief Science Officer will demonstrate emotional intelligence, humility, and confidence, fostering a culture of transparency, inclusiveness, and excellence. The ideal candidate will lead a diverse team of professionals, encouraging collaboration and innovation. With a proactive and creative approach to problem-solving, the Chief Science Officer will drive performance and efficiency while supporting individual growth. As an internal champion, the Chief Science Officer will create a mission-driven environment that inspires collaboration, engagement, and innovation, with the goal of creating impactful learning opportunities for all. This leader will manage in a way that is consistent with established Discovery Place leadership practices.
- Inspire integrity
- Empower creativity
- Lead with kindness
- Encourage curiosity
- Foster a safe place to take risks
A Passion for the Mission
Deeply aligned with Discovery Place’s values, the Chief Science Officer will be passionate about expanding access to science—especially for communities historically excluded from museums and STEM fields. The ideal candidate will believe in science as a catalyst for opportunity, hope, and positive change. Globally and culturally competent, the Chief Science Officer will build trust-based relationships across diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This leader will embody authenticity, humility, and resilience, inspiring confidence during times of transformation
Prior museum experience is preferred but not required. However, the successful candidate must have experience in formal and/or informal science education and experience managing complex budgets which are essential components of this role.
We hope you are inspired by what Discovery Place does and are excited to contribute to the mission. We seek candidates from a variety of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the position qualifications.
About Charlotte, NC
Set against the scenic backdrop of the Carolina Piedmont, Charlotte blends Southern charm with cosmopolitan energy, offering residents and visitors a dynamic mix of history, innovation, and culture. Known as the “Queen City,” Charlotte was named in honor of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III, and today stands as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States—celebrated for its welcoming spirit, vibrant neighborhoods, and thriving economy.
A modern urban hub surrounded by natural beauty, Charlotte is less than two hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains and just a few hours from the Atlantic coast. Its skyline, a testament to its growth as a major financial center, is complemented by tree-lined streets, expansive greenways, and a commitment to sustainability that has earned it a reputation as a livable and forward-looking city.
Charlotte’s rich history dates back to its origins as a small crossroads settlement in the 18th century and its role in the American Revolution. Today, the city’s diverse cultural landscape reflects its evolution—from its African American heritage and civil rights legacy to its vibrant immigrant communities shaping the city’s present and future.
Arts and culture flourish here, with institutions such as the Mint Museum, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center anchoring a lively creative scene. Uptown Charlotte buzzes with activity—home to award-winning restaurants, live music venues, and professional sports teams including the Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Hornets (NBA), and Charlotte FC (MLS).
Education and innovation are central to the city’s character, with nationally recognized universities, a growing tech sector, and strong public and private schools. Families and professionals alike are drawn to its accessible housing, expanding transit system, and quality of life.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the U.S. National Whitewater Center—a world-class recreation and training facility along the Catawba River—as well as nearby parks, lakes, and trails that make year-round outdoor activity a hallmark of Charlotte living.
With its perfect blend of Southern warmth, modern vitality, and cultural richness, Charlotte stands as a city where tradition meets opportunity—a place that continues to grow while holding fast to its deep community roots.
Compensation and Benefits
Discovery Place offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, along with comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, vacation days, retirement match and more.