Associate Director of Monitoring and Evaluation

Organization Background

Maritime Aquarium’s mission is to ignite a connection to Long Island Sound and the ocean to enrich the lives of all people and inspire action to protect our blue planet. For 38 years, the Aquarium has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Norwalk and the region. The second largest family attraction in Connecticut, and 50 miles from New York City, the Aquarium hosts nearly 450,000 guests annually. Its primary exhibits take guests on a voyage from the shallow salt marshes and estuaries to the depths of the Long Island Sound and the ocean beyond, culminating with habitats for sharks and harbor seals.  

   Altogether, the Aquarium is home to more than 8,000 animals and 285 species in 75 exhibits. A new 4D Theater offers a unique sensory film experience for guests. Its education programs introduce nearly 50,000 students, campers and scouts to marine and STEM education. The Aquarium is recognized as a top aquarium in the nation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is an active participant in the local and regional community. The strength of the Aquarium is its approximately 97 full-time and 78 part-time employees, seasonal staff, and our volunteers.  

Position Overview  

The Associate Director of Monitoring and Evaluation (ADME) is responsible for designing and implementing an institutional framework for measuring the reach and impact of The Maritime Aquarium’s activities, programs, and exhibits.  The scope will include activities and programs in education, accessibility, conservation, community outreach, and visitor and member engagement, as well as core operations that impact those activities and programs.  The framework for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) will include: (1) an overall strategy for M&E across the institution; (2) appropriate tools and methodologies for M&E, including quantitative and qualitative data collection, verification, and analysis; statistical analysis; and relevant social science research; (3) data storage, management and visualization systems; and (4) regular reporting and communications to various audiences. As part of the design and implementation of an institutional framework for M&E, the ADME works with senior staff and department heads to identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure that goals of the Aquarium’s strategic plan are being met.       

The ADME reports directly to the President & CEO and is a member of the Aquarium’s Extended Senior Staff. The ADME is expected to supervise the Manager of Evaluation and Monitoring (a position still to be recruited), as well as part-time data collectors to be hired for specific projects and needs, but for which there is a budget. The ADME works directly with department heads and other senior staff in the design and implementation of the institutional framework for M&E as it relates to each department, The ADME provides training and technical assistance to staff in delivery of M&E goals and objectives, and stays abreast of M&E trends and methods throughout the aquarium/zoo/museum industry to ensure that The Maritime Aquarium employs industry best practices in assessing effectiveness and impact.