Head of Exhibits
The Montana Historical Society has an opening for a full-time Head of Exhibits. This position is responsible for facilitating and managing the Exhibits Team in the creation of engaging and distinctive interpretive museum exhibits. In coordination with project team members, museum staff and external partners, you will initiate, plan, design, execute, monitor and close exhibition projects in both 2‐ and 3‐dimensional spaces. The role also includes leadership of the Exhibits Team, performing management functions such as hiring, performance management, work distribution and employee development.
Representative Duties
* Supervise Exhibits Team staff of three: Graphics Designer, Exhibits Preparator, and Museum Facilities Specialist.
* Oversee planning, design, installation, and maintenance of all exhibits, applying museum standards for exhibits, artifact conservation and preservation.
* Coordinate with Curatorial and Collections Teams to integrate all parts of the exhibit production process.
* Develop designs that create engaging experiences for all visitors through stories told with artifacts, artwork, graphics, interactives and media.
* Serve on project teams to ensure the integration of design with project goals including interpretation, education, curatorial, conservation and accessibility.
* Create digital sketches, 3‐D models and documentation drawings, and produce measured floor plans, wall elevations and case layouts for fabrication.
* Implement the project plan, establishing scope, deliverables, budget, staffing, schedule, risks and stakeholder approvals.
* Maintain communication with all stakeholders and document decision‐making throughout the exhibit project.
* Conduct post‐implementation activities such as evaluation, stakeholder feedback, reporting, archiving and ongoing maintenance assessment.
* Manage exhibit project schedules, addressing risks and ensuring timely completion through regular status meetings.
* Facilitate kick‐off, ongoing design‐fabrication‐installation meetings and final close‐out.
* Collect specific data required for design, such as historical content, funding information, exhibit proposals and strategic plans.
* Monitor and manage exhibit project costs, aligning exhibit budget needs with overall department budget.
* Conduct exhibit‐related research to support decisions and produce reports or sketches.
Education
* Bachelor's degree in a design‐related field such as museum studies, fine arts, graphic design, industrial design or architecture.
Preferred Education
* Master's degree in a design‐related field such as museum studies, fine arts, graphic design, industrial design or architecture.
Experience
* Five years in exhibit design, theater or set design, trade show booth design or a similar practice.
* Two years of management and supervisory experience.
* Demonstrated experience in museum exhibit implementation from concept to installation.
* Other combinations of education or experience may be considered.
Knowledge Of
* Current museum ethics, policies and practices related to exhibition design, research, conservation, collections, documentation, environment, security and accessibility.
* Exhibition fabrication, lighting, graphic design and all related steps of exhibition production.
* Best practices for display of art and historically significant artifacts, including collections requirements, lighting, mount‐making and related standards.
Skills In
* Excellent organizational, administrative and communication skills.
* Leadership, project and people management skills.
* Use of 3‐D software such as SketchUp and Adobe Creative Suite.
Ability To
* Work cooperatively within a larger team.
* Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‐paced environment while meeting schedule and budget requirements.
* Translate curatorial narratives into a physical space, demonstrating coherence between content and design, flexibility to work in various styles and overall creativity.
* Prepare digital sketches, drawing specifications and models for planning, fabrication and presentation.
Salary and Benefits
* Salary: $69,680.00 yearly.
* Telework Eligibility: Not Telework Eligible.
* Benefits: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan.
Job Details
* Number of Openings: 1.
* Employee Status: Regular.
* Job Type: Standard.
* Shift: Day Job.
* Travel: Yes, 5 % of the time.
* Primary Location: Helena.
* Work Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.
State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications.
#J-18808-Ljbffr