Position Summary:
The Director of Exhibitions is responsible for the development, installation, and management of all exhibitions of the Missouri Historical Society. The incoming Director will play a key role in implementing the Missouri Historical Society's 2020s Vision, a decade-long initiative designed to transform the Missouri Historical Society and connect the institution more closely with the community it serves by bringing St. Louis history to life. The Vision includes plans for renovations of three core galleries as well as temporary exhibitions of varying scales.
Essential Functions:
- Coordinates and develops exhibitions that align with and support the 2020s Vision of the Missouri Historical Society
- Ensures quality of design in all exhibitions that engages diverse audiences including ensuring a fresh, unique approach to each new exhibit by taking advantage of new technologies as appropriate, participatory and interactive learning approaches of our visitors, creative and collaborative interpretive strategies on the floor, etc.
- Develops and manages the division budget overall as well as creates and monitors exhibition-specific project budgets; developing expense projections as appropriate
- Provides oversight for design, production, installation and maintenance related to all exhibition initiatives including maintaining the overall exhibition schedule for the museum
- Create and implement policies and procedures as they relate to the exhibition process. Ensure that national museum practices are followed for all exhibitions as appropriate.
- Write, review, and oversee contracts related to traveling exhibitions, contract work, fabrication, etc. as related to MHS exhibitions
- Adhere to sustainable use of materials in exhibition design
- Aim to exceed universal design standards for the best possible exhibition experience for all visitors as part of MHS's on-going commitment to accessibility
- Maintain active regional and national contacts/affiliations with professional organizations, representing MHS as required
- Represent the Society, the President, and Managing Director of Museum Services at meetings, member events, press events, on and off-site as needed
Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Exhibition Design, Museum Studies, Visual or Fine Arts, History, Public History, American Studies, Material Culture preferred. Appropriate museum exhibition project management experience may substitute
- 5 or more years in a museum or related setting, with experience in all aspects of Museum Exhibitions preferred including supervision of staff, budget development, exhibition design, production, fabrication, and installation and extensive project management experience.
Skills:
- Enthusiasm for MHS's mission as well as a passion for sharing our goal of bringing St. Louis history to life through any and all aspects of our work
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with staff from all divisions
- Excellent organizational, administrative, communication and leadership skills
- Knowledge of current museum ethics, policies, and practices particularly relating to exhibition design, research, conservation, collections, documentation, environment, security, access, etc.
- Knowledge of best practices using sustainable design and universal accessibility for an enhanced visitor experience
- Hands-on experience in creating accessible, thought-provoking, engaging, and well-researched history exhibitions for visitors of all ages and interests
- Ability to juggle many simultaneous tasks and roles as well as to delegate tasks effectively
- Experience as a project team leader, including coordination of the work of both contractors and employees
- Ability to communicate effectively with the public and co-workers from all departments in the institution, including creating and leading formal and informal presentations
- Ability to evaluate policies and procedures and implement changes to streamline the exhibition process.
- Experience writing grant proposals and fulfilling grant requirements
- Ability to negotiate and implement contracts with other external organizations or contractors
Deadline to Apply: Position open until filled.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Application:
Please submit your resume and cover letter here.
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