Exhibits Director

Position Overview

The San Antonio Children’s Museum seeks a creative, collaborative self-starter to lead the museum’s exhibits department. As the Museum transitions from its current space to its new building opening in Summer of 2015, the Exhibits Diector will play a critical role in understanding, owning and overseeing the fabrication of all museum exhibits and corresponding multimedia. During this process the Exhibit Director will be actively planning for the next iteration of all of these exhibit experiences. In the new facility s/he will be responsible for the planning, development, design and installation of all in-house and any incoming externally organized travelling exhibits. Reporting to the V.P of Education and Visitor Experience, the Exhibit Director will have general responsibility for monitoring, managing and collaborating across the institution to create an ideal exhibit experience at the San Antonio Children’s Museum. Specifically, s/he will be responsible for the following functions and activities:

Exhibit Planning and Design:

·       Serves as the museum point person for reviewing all final construction drawing produced by the architect, design firm, and others; monitor fabricator progress including proof of concept, material choices, functionality.

·       Review all multimedia storyboards; monitor multimedia progress including any prototyping needs, and hardware and software selection.

·       Review and monitor exhibit installation at new site.

• Creates interactive, participatory, and technology-based prototypes and exhibits.

Exhibit Operations and Maintenance

·       Creates and implements exhibit operating procedures for new building.

·       Manages and help maintain all Audio/Visual exhibit equipment/component.

·       Ensures the timely and effective communication of pertinent daily and “big-picture”/ contextual information.  Facilitates the constant flow of timely exhibit related information to other departments, members of management, staff and visitors.

·       Manages daily operations of the exhibit department, including any staff or volunteer supervision, purchasing, contract negotiation and exhibit maintenance.

·       Seeks, identifies and project manages the implementation of creative solutions for ongoing, troublesome technical issues pertaining to the exhibits. 

·       Establishes internal exhibit workshop in SACM new building.

Exhibit Management/Leadership

·       When needed, manages key vendors, staff, and contracted personnel including exhibit developers, exhibit designers, lighting designers, graphic designers, fabricators, etc.

·       Works with VP of Education and Visitor Experience to develop a master document outlining a strategic framework for potential future exhibit initiatives.

·       Leads SACM on future exhibit initiatives with internal and external partners as necessary.

·       Prioritizes departmental projects, initiatives, budget expenditures, and allocation of resources based on immediate and longer term institutional needs.  Creates and implements short term and long term plans and schedules for exhibit repair, preventative maintenance, upgrades and replacements. 

·       Researches potential options for traveling exhibits and oversees installation.

REQUIREMENTS

·       Minimum 5 years museum experience, preferably in a children's or science museum

·       Knowledge of museum exhibit design standards and techniques

·       Ability to lead and administer teams while working on multiple projects

·       Strong administrative skills and ability to lead, organize, delegate and ensure good communication within the exhibits team.

·       Experience with presentation drawing, drafting and construction drawing

·       Experience in exhibition design, lighting, fabrication and installation

·       Proficiency with AutoCAD drawing programs, Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office Suite

·       Software programming skills highly desirable.

·       Must be technically proficient, possessing a strong working knowledge and demonstrated understanding of a wide variety of computer and electro-mechanical systems as they would relate to interactive exhibits.  

·       Familiarity with shop tools and equipment and materials used in exhibit construction – including all safety related protocols and practices.

·       Must be in good physical condition; able to perform moderate lifting, walking, and climbing stairs

·       Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and evenings

·       Ability to lift at least 50 lbs

How to Apply

Email resume and cover letter, to [log in to unmask]. Please be sure to write “Exhibit Director” in the subject line of your email.