Department:The Mother Church Reading RoomsSUMMARY The Mother Church Reading Room is a vibrant spiritual oasis in the city of Boston for neighbors, local college students, Church members and visiting tourists. The Reading Room team ensures that every visitor is welcomed and helped with professionalism and warmth. Article XXI, Section 2, of the Manual of The Mother Church, Librarian, states that the individuals who take charge of the Reading Rooms for The Mother Church shall be elected by the Christian Science Board of Directors, subject to the approval of Mary Baker Eddy (63). This position will support the Manager/Librarian of The Mother Church Reading Room in implementing the healing mission of The Mother Church Reading Room in accordance with the requirements in the Church Manual. Operating in a highly collaborative and dynamic environment, the Assistant Manager will work closely with the Librarian to support the rest of the staff and to make sure The Mother Church Reading Room is proactively responsive to the needs of the community we serve. The work primarily consists of four parts:
Manages day-to-day operations and leads a vibrant team of Associate Librarians to support the Librarian and Board's direction for the Reading Room with grace, leadership and spiritual discernment.Oversees all communication needs, ensuring that Reading Room events, resources, and products are effectively promoted and exhibited (see Manual, pg 64). Oversees all events in the Reading Room, ensuring they are kept abreast of the times and fulfilling the Reading Room's mission. Serves shifts in the Reading Room and acts as backup to the Librarian/Manager as needed. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESManages and reports on the Reading Room's day-to-day operations and leads a vibrant team of Associate Librarians in carrying out their librarianship work as outlined in the Church Manual.
Makes appropriate time to pray for The Mother Church Reading Room (TMCRR) in support of its current and future work. Ensures a high spiritual standard for all aspects of the work. Manages a team of Associate Librarians so that they are properly equipped to perform their librarianship work with professionalism and inspiration. Leads and inspires this team to deepen their expert knowledge of products sold, their ability to wisely respond to many types of visitor situations, and to solidify their understanding of the specific role of a librarian as outlined in the Church Manual. Oversees cross-departmental and internal coordination of the logistics necessary for the Reading Room's day to day operations. Manages and oversees the communications needs of The Mother Church Reading Room, ensuring that all events, resources, and products are effectively promoted and exhibited (see Manual, pg 64).
Works with Librarian to identify quarterly and yearly communications priorities, prayerfully considering how they fit with the spiritual mission of the TMCRR, our mandate to exhibit (Manual, pg 64), and in harmony with the priorities of The Mother Church as a whole. Empowered to seek key initiatives and confirm the proper conversations are happening across the organization to enable the Reading Room's communications priorities to be realized. Ensures all merchandising and promotion opportunities (digital and print) are being carried out in a timely manner and to a high standard. Ensures the support and resources needed to accomplish window and merchandising displays on time and within an approved budget. Develops and oversees all events in the Reading Room, ensuring they are kept abreast of the times and fulfilling the Reading Room's goals.
Ensures staffhas what is needed to host engaging and successful events. Supports Lead Associate Librarian: Events in developing and executing all annual events, ensuring the highest quality of customer service and an uplifting experience for each visitor. Enlists and approves content suggestions from staff members. Supports timely and effective communications with other departments for special requirements such as licenses, permits, insurance, and any needed technology. Also:
- Serves as back-up to Librarian as needed.
- Participates in cross-functional groups and teams as a representative of TMCRR and on behalf of Librarian.
- Makes recommendations on possible expenditures, giving Librarian pros and cons after establishing the metaphysical and Manual-based reason for these choices.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
STAFF MANAGEMENT AND JOB CONTACTSReporting Relationships
- Supervisor:Librarian
- Supervises:Associate Librarians. Operations and Communications Assistant. Visual Merchandising and Community Engagement Associate Librarian. May also supervise Lead Associate Librarians.
Regular Contacts
- Employees, customers, church members, children, vendors, professionals.
JOB REQUIREMENTSEducation/Experience Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Five or more years of management experience in a consumer-driven, nonprofit, visitor-based organization. The ideal candidate will have experience in the following areas: leadership, retail, operations/project management, marketing and promotion, interfaith experience. Experience communicating about Christian Science to the public is required.Experience in the Christian Science field (i.e., branch church work, Reading Room, etc.) Knowledge/Skills
- Understand and deeply value the mission and goals of The Mother Church, the life and writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the history of the Christian Science movement, and the purpose of Reading Rooms.
- Strong leadership skills, including the ability to manage small teams in executing special projects; leading by example.
- Ability to provide effective coaching and promote employee growth and development.
- Solid knowledge of Reading Room/Christian Science Publishing Society products.
- Strong communication skills are essential: writing, editing, speaking. Experience communicating effectively with a variety of audiences.
- Proven organizational and personnel skills, and the ability to multitask, meet commitments and deadlines.
- Demonstrated skills in shepherding projects and working on a team. Experience with Agile practices preferred and the effective use of Trello boards.
- Self-directed problem solver and strong customer service skills.
- Familiarity with public thought and trends and other faith backgrounds.
- Basic understanding of good design and layout principles.
- Keeps abreast of best practices and trends in communications.
- Keeps abreast of trends in public thought, both generally and specifically about Christian Science.
- Flexible, persistent, compassionate, tactful and a desire to serve in the spirit of doing whatever is necessary. Patience, humility, intuition, openness to new ideas and new ways of communicating.
Technology Skills Requires strong computer skills, including Google Suite; Trello; Slack; Zoom; Internet research and other databases and/or scheduling software. The ability to learn new technology quickly and proficiently. Work Environment Majority of time is spent in either a retail/sales environment when working in the Reading Room, or an office environment when working in the Publishing House. Available to work occasional weekends and holidays as needed. Engagement with Christian Scienc This position requires the demonstrated ability to understand, develop, represent, and coach others on contemporary messaging about Christian Science, including sharing healings and correcting impositions with wisdom and love. Membership in The Mother Church and Primary Class instruction required. PLEASE NOTE: Background check required given potential for direct contact with children. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.