Overview
Chief Experiences Officer Jobs in Denver, CO at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Description:
Locations:
Air & Space Museum – 7711 E Academy Blvd, Denver CO, 80230
Exploration of Flight – 13005 Wings Way, Englewood CO, 80112
Status & Classification: Regular | Full-Time | Exempt
Salary: $76,500 ~ $103,500/year (depending on experience)
Work Schedule: Monday ~ Friday | 5 days/week*
This position must accommodate a flexible work schedule to include weekends, evenings, special events, and overnight/out-of-town travel.
Application window: deadline to submit applications is Friday April 18th, 2025
Summary
Wings Over the Rockies seeks an innovative, strategic, and guest-focused Chief Experiences Officer (CXO) to lead and elevate the institution’s education, exhibitions, public programs, collections, and guest experiences at both the Air & Space Museum and Exploration of Flight campuses. Reporting to the President and CEO, the CXO will be a key member of the senior leadership team, charged with shaping and delivering an integrated, world-class guest experience that educates, inspires curiosity, excites diverse audiences, and fosters a lifelong passion for aerospace. The CXO will oversee the creation and implementation of dynamic, high-impact experiences that aligns with Wings Over the Rockies’ mission, vision, and strategic goals. This leader will prioritize creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity in all aspects of their work, ensuring the organization remains at the forefront of innovation in museum and aviation-based education and engagement.
Organization
Founded in 1994 on the former Lowry Air Force Base in east Denver’s historic Lowry Field neighborhood, Wings Over the Rockies is a non-profit community organization dedicated to unlocking dreams of flight through exhibits, local events, and educational programming. We are Colorado’s official Air & Space Museum having been recognized by CNN Travel as one of their 20 Best aviation museums in the world. Each year we welcome over 160,000 visitors representing all 50 states and dozens of countries internationally. Wings is committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The Museum boasts more than 100,000 sq. ft. of open hangar space full of iconic aircraft, space vehicles, historical artifacts, and more. Visitors can experience thrilling flight simulators, discover educational programs, and participate in one of our many exciting Museum-sponsored events.
Exploration of Flight (EoF) is our flight-focused educational extension. This 15-acre campus is located at the Centennial Airport where we offer showcase events with a variety of aircraft, aviation immersion programs, pilot ground training, and flight experiences. EoF is home to our Blue Sky Gallery exhibit and interactive aviation center featuring an airworthy fleet of civilian and military aircraft.
Benefits
Employer-paid Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life/AD&D coverage
$600 annual Health Savings Account (HSA) employer contribution for eligible medical plans
Voluntary STD, Life/AD&D, Accident, Critical Illness, and Legal/ID protection plans available
Optional Flexible Spending (FSA) and Dependent Care (DCA) accounts
2 weeks of paid vacation per year
Paid personal time (1 week/year), and sick leave
403(b) group retirement plan participation with employer match
Potential for annual bonuses, merit pay increases, professional development, and career advancement
Wings Museum membership, 25% gift shop discount, and other employee perks
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Please Note – this list is not all inclusive but intended to be a general guide to the essential duties of this position.
Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute a comprehensive vision and organizational strategy for guest engagement
Manage and oversee Public Programs, Curatorial/Exhibitions, and Education departments including direct supervision of program Directors
Collaborate with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership to align experiences with organizational goals and community needs
Foster a culture of innovation and inclusivity, ensuring programs and experiences are accessible and impactful for diverse audiences
Drive the continuous improvement of guest experience metrics, including attendance, satisfaction, and engagement
Education & Public Programs
Oversee the development of educational programs that inspire learners of all ages to explore aerospace careers and STEM pathways
Ensure programs align with state and national standards and leverage cutting-edge learning methodologies
Cultivate partnerships with schools, universities, and community organizations to expand educational reach
Identify and grow new and existing earned revenue opportunities through innovative programs, events, ticketed experiences, and other mission-aligned offerings
Exhibitions & Collections
Lead the curation and design of interactive, immersive, and engaging exhibits that connect guests to the history, science, and future of aviation and space exploration
Oversee the care, interpretation, and display of the museum’s collection, ensuring artifacts are preserved, accessible, and meaningfully integrated into exhibitions and programs
Oversee the maintenance and enhancement of exhibits and other hands-on learning tools to ensure optimal performance and guest satisfaction
Elevate the Exploration of Flight campus as a premier destination for aviation enthusiasts and the general public
Team & Operations Management
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary team across education, exhibitions, programming, and collections
Oversee budgets, schedules, and resources to ensure efficient and effective operations
Implement data-informed decision-making processes to enhance guest experiences and organizational outcomes
Community Engagement & Advocacy
Serve as a visible and passionate advocate for Wings Over the Rockies in the community and beyond
Build relationships with stakeholders, donors, and partners to support programmatic growth and sustainability
Represent the organization at conferences, events, and other forums to share best practices and raise its profile nationally and internationally
Working Conditions
The Air & Space Museum operates in an 80-year-old aircraft hangar. Exploration of Flight is located at a busy regional airport. Environmental conditions may vary.
If you are an individual with a disability, you may request reasonable accommodations if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting our HR Department at 303-360-5360 for assistance.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Education, or a related field (advanced degree preferred)
8+ years of progressive leadership experience in museums, science centers, education, or related fields
Proven track record of developing and delivering engaging guest experiences and educational programs
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects
Strong understanding of exhibit design, educational pedagogy, and guest engagement best practices
Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
Passion for aviation, aerospace, and STEM education is highly desirable
Visionary leader with a passion for creating memorable and unique guest experiences
Collaborative team player who values creativity, innovation, and diversity
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into action
Results-driven professional committed to excellence and continuous improvement
Advanced computer proficiency including MS Office 365 suite, Google Workspace, etc.
Able to stand, walk, bend, stoop, and climb stairs or ladders for installations and other exhibit-related activities
Able to use hand tools and shop equipment for exhibit construction, repairs, and installations
Able to handle delicate, intricate, or cumbersome artifacts and components
Able to squat/lift/carry objects and push/pull carts weighing up to 25 lbs., e.g. exhibit materials, tools, and program equipment
Able to tolerate varying climate conditions including workshops and outdoor spaces
Comfortable working in elevated or confined spaces – closets, lifts, scaffolding, etc. – for exhibit installation and inspections
Able to navigate 100,000 sq. ft. of floor space and stand for extended periods (up to 8 hours/day)
Title: Chief Experiences Officer
Company: Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Location: Denver, CO
