Exhibition Manager and Lead Preparator

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT

Work conditions are primarily inside, however, infrequent outside work occurs. Required to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to paint, solvents, adhesives, and air‑borne particles, and to minimize risk while using specialty hand and power tools

Requires ability to climb ladders; to have flexibility and ease of mobility; ability to lift and move large and heavy objects using basic moving equipment; ability to stand for long periods of time

Ability to work unscheduled overtime during periods of installation/deinstallation and to support special programs and events

Requires the use of personal vehicle

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Exhibition Planning and Management - 40%

Oversees exhibition planning and management for all museum exhibitions and permanent collection installations in coordination with museum leadership

Creates and develops exhibition and installation timelines using specialized project management software, including AirTable

Ensures benchmarks are met according to schedule

Presents timelines to entire museum staff and assigns tasks as appropriate

An expert in exhibition design, creates exhibition layouts professionally designed with CAD software, including in SketchUp, with assistance from Assistant Preparator and in consultation with curators

Ensures exhibitions and objects are installed according to the highest museum standards and best practices, and in accordance with programmatic, conservation, aesthetic and ADA requirements

With Deputy Director and Director of Operations, prepares and administers exhibition budgets and estimates, and ensures that expenditures are within agreed upon budgetary limits

Researches, recommends and hires specialized contractors and specialized equipment as needed for complex exhibition projects and as approved by museum leadership

Oversees and coordinates routine gallery inspections, touch‑ups and cleaning

Exhibition Preparation and Installation - 35%

Manages and executes all aspects of exhibition installation, deinstallation and construction

Prepares exhibition spaces in advance of exhibitions, schedules any necessary contractors or campus partners, coordinates gallery painting gallery, and facilitates building all temporary walls and installation components

With museum curators, determines display casework and presentation furniture as needed for specific exhibitions, produces construction plans and shop drawings for all necessary furniture, and coordinates and builds all exhibition casework and display furniture as needed with Exhibition Preparator

Oversees the inventory and movement of cases, museum furniture, and other exhibition related objects

In consultation with curators, identifies framing and other artwork preparation needs for each exhibition

Assigns and supervises artwork preparation, including artwork framing, by the Assistant Preparator

Supervises the design, production, and installation of all exhibition didactics, text panels, title displays, object labels, and other graphic displays by the Assistant Preparator

Well‑versed in the technical demands of time‑based media and its installation, determines and coordinates all audiovisual requirements for exhibitions, assists with audiovisual equipment installation, set up and regular maintenance, and supervises any specialized contractors

With Curator of Collections, coordinates delivery and handling activities for loaned artworks

In consultation with museum curators, sets and maintains gallery lighting at accepted light levels

With Director of Operations, manages vendors, temporary contractors and purchases, identifies skilled vendors and temporary contractors as needed, requests estimates, places orders, tracks, coordinates, and manages deliveries

Facilities Management - 10%

Oversees facilities maintenance and upkeep, organization of collections and storage spaces, and museum workshops in coordination with the Director of Operations including scheduling and facilitating work with University Facilities and outside contractors

Ensures that storage areas are maintained at professional levels of environmental and security control

Monitors and maintains museum facilities, including overseeing the organization of collection storage spaces and maintaining the appearance of exhibition spaces by Exhibition Preparator

Manages the museum workshop and establishes workshop standards to ensure overall safety of museum facilities

Maintains tools and equipment and coordinates replacements with the Director of Operations

Tracks inventories of tools, materials and supplies

Supervises the cleaning and organization of shop facility

Assists with museum facilities environmental monitoring

Collections Care & Management - 10%

Ensures that collections storage areas are maintained at professional levels of environmental and security control and all collections objects are safely moved, stored and maintained

Maintains and updates the location of collections objects, packing, materials, and supply storage with TMS Administrator

Oversees and facilitates safe packing and transportation of collections objects

Supervises the matting and framing of collections objects and as well as the preparation of collection objects for storage and display by the Exhibition Preparator

In consultation with Museum leadership, curators, and TMS Administrator, makes conservation recommendations

With Curator of Collections, coordinates shipping and receiving, packing and unpacking of all collection objects to ensure proper handling and security procedures are followed

Supervision - 5%

Trains student interns and temporary exhibition workers

Ensures all workers understand and implement best museum practices and safety protocol at all times in all museum spaces and workshops across campus

QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge, skills & ability

Specialized knowledge of exhibition planning and project management, including project management software, such as AirTable

Highly skilled in exhibition design and recent exhibition technologies

Ability to easily translate curatorial ideas into 3‑D models and CAD drawings

Broad knowledge of best museum practices for art handling and installation, collections management, object care, fabrication, and shipping

Fluent in time‑based media installation

Highly skilled in object handling, carpentry, matting and framing, fabrication of exhibition furniture, platforms and displays, hanging and mounting systems, gallery lighting, moving objects, patching, painting, and proper ladder use and safety

Skilled and clear communicator who can work with a diverse range of colleagues and stakeholders, including museum leadership, university faculty and staff, visiting artists, and students

Ability to carefully assign tasks to ensure exhibition planning and installation is completed on time and on budget

Ability to make independent decisions and apply creative methods to solve complex installation problems with attention to detail

Ability to work in a diverse environment and with a diverse range of colleagues, stakeholders, and visitors is required

Ability to work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines

Ability to prioritize multiple projects and competing demands, balance tasks and see projects to completion

Continuously learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in exhibition planning and design

Working knowledge of SketchUp, AirTable, The Gallery System (TMS)Collections Management Software, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite

Education/experience

Bachelor's degree and 5 years of art preparator and exhibition planning & design experience with increasing responsibility

Knowledge of museum best practices, an appreciation for the stewardship, safety, care, and preservation of fine art

Requires a successful driving check

SALARY STRUCTURE: Full‑time, with Benefits, Exempt
Grade 6: $50,461 to $66,851

Scheduled Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am - 5pm, some nights and weekends

REQUIRED: Resume and Cover Letter
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