Inside Higher Ed is hiring: Associate Director of Design and Art Handling, Canto

Associate Director of Design and Art Handling, Cantor Arts Center Stanford University is a world‑class academic and research institution committed to excellence and to improving the world. The Cantor Arts Center, serving the campus, the Bay Area community, and global visitors, offers an outstanding cultural experience, with a collection of over 40,000 works spanning 5,000 years. About the Position Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Associate Director of Design and Art Handling will lead the planning and operations of the department, serving as the head of exhibition design, fabrication, production, art handling, and installation. The role requires cultivating a professional, collaborative culture and managing a team of skilled staff and contractors. It is a 3‑year fixed‑term position (anticipated end date March 2029) based on the Stanford campus. In This Role, You Will Create and execute the department’s exhibition design and production strategy, ensuring high museum standards for safety, accessibility, and quality. Cultivate a culture of communication, accountability, and excellence across the department. Collaborate with curators, artists, registrars, educators, and museum staff to produce engaging, durable exhibitions. Oversee design, fabrication, gallery preparation, and installation of all exhibition elements, including furniture, mounts, lighting, A/V, and interactive components. Develop and maintain guidelines, standards, and best‑practice documents for design, fabrication, and art handling. Continuously research and incorporate innovative trends to improve processes and outcomes. Lead all phases of design from concept to de‑installation, including technical drawings and digital renderings. Manage logistics, scheduling, and project budgets in partnership with the Project Manager of Exhibitions and Publications. Provide training workshops on design, fabrication, and art handling that are OSHA and ADA compliant. Represent the Cantor’s programs to internal and external stakeholders and the wider arts community. Administer the department’s annual operating budget, including monitoring, reporting, and expense approval. Coordinate procurement and maintenance of equipment, materials, and inventories for exhibition needs. Set performance goals, monitor standards, and uphold accountability for all staff and contractors. Supervise bargaining‑unit staff responsible for all aspects of design, fabrication, and gallery preparation. Work with external contractors and preparators to schedule, produce, deliver, and install design elements. Maintain cleanliness, organization, and inventory accuracy in workshops and storage areas. Collaborate with the Collections team on receiving, handling, crating, and storing artworks. Other duties as assigned. In Order To Be Successful, You Will Bring Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination; extensive museum, gallery, or cultural center experience preferred. Commitment to an inclusive and equitable environment. Experience building a culture of professionalism and collaboration while leading high‑performance teams. Experience managing the comprehensive design process for museum installations, including staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and documentation. Experience supervising designers, preparators, bargaining‑unit employees, and contractors, with a focus on initiative and mentorship. A strong portfolio of previous design projects. Proficiency in design software such as Vectorworks, AutoCAD, Revit, 3DS Max, Rhino, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite. Working knowledge of Experiential and Universal Design concepts and ADA guidelines. Experience with the care and handling of fine‑art objects. Extensive knowledge of fabrication and construction methods and art‑handling techniques. Working knowledge of electrical practice, electronics, and mechanical installations. Ability to work independently and collaboratively with senior leadership and project teams. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting schedules and budgets. Creative and abstract thinking to design in diverse public spaces, with strong graphical communication skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, decisive, proactive, and diplomatic. Strong financial management and operational budgeting skills. Attention to detail and capacity to coordinate high‑volume work. Physical Requirements Desk‑based computer tasks. Extended periods of standing, walking, climbing stairs, and fine manipulation. Occasional ladder or scaffold work, reaching above shoulders, twisting, bending, or squatting. Use of a land‑line phone, two‑way radio, and cellular phone. Ability to lift, pull, push, and move works of art or supplies up to 25 pounds. Operation of scissor lifts, pump lift carts, and pallet jacks (for gallery inspections, lighting, moving casework). Working Conditions May be exposed to lead, paint, and/or acetone. Noise levels may exceed 80 dB TWA. Work may occur at heights up to 10 feet or more. Personal Protective Equipment may be required. Benefits and Compensation The expected pay range for this position is $120,038 – $135,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing a good‑faith estimate of expected compensation. Final pay is determined by qualifications, budget, equity, geographic location, and market. The base pay is one component of a comprehensive rewards package; detailed benefits information is available on the Stanford rewards website. Application Details Priority consideration: submit before October 31, 2025. Anticipated start date: March 30, 2026. Required materials: Cover Letter, Resume. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Requests for accommodations should be submitted to Stanford Human Resources using the contact form. #J-18808-Ljbffr