Director of Exhibitions at the National Liberty Museum – Museum Studies

Job title: Director of Exhibitions

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Salary: $70,000 – $90,000

Description

The National Liberty Museum seeks a creative and collaborative Director of Exhibitions to lead all aspects of the Museum’s exhibition program, from conceptualization through development and execution. Reporting to the Chief Program Officer and working in close partnership with the Leadership team, the Director is responsible for imaginatively expressing and activating the Museum’s mission and ensures exhibitions are executed at the highest level of professional conduct and practice. The Director oversees an exhibitions calendar of up to four major exhibitions annually, plus smaller installations and displays, as well as the management and maintenance of the Museum’s permanent galleries. As part of an ambitious change program, the Director of Exhibitions will execute an interpretive planning process in 2022-3 and will support mission-critical initiatives, including AAM accreditation.

The successful candidate will be a good listener and natural strategist able to appreciate and synthesize diverse perspectives and engage effectively in complex, topical and sensitive subject matter. A multi-talented, collaborative, and organized individual, the right candidate will have a proven record of exhibition design and management and an innovative approach to experiential design and immersive storytelling. The Director leads the Exhibitions team and works collaboratively across all departments.

About NLM

Located in Old City Philadelphia, the National Liberty Museum illuminates the strength and fragility of liberty through dynamic exhibitions, powerful programs and provocative events that inspire and empower us all to put liberty into action.

After 20 years, we are reimagining our museum – and liberty – for the 21^st century. With investments in interpretive planning, audience engagement and design, we’re building a museum that can respond to the most pressing issues of today and stands for our collective future.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the Exhibitions team, contractors, and support staff in devising and implementing an exhibition program and gallery improvements that serve strategic goals focused on mission, audience development and awareness, growth.
Organize and schedule exhibitions, overseeing interpretation and design, installation and deinstallation, fabrication, as well as budgets and all documentation, including RFPs, MOUs, contracts, insurance, etc.
Working closely with Leadership team, lead interpretive planning process; create and implement exhibition plan, working towards a strong and balanced 3 to 5-year exhibition schedule.
Devise and lead exhibition design, review and approval processes and serve as central coordinating point for exhibitions and gallery improvement plans.
Oversee and, where needed, create collection management systems and documentation to support Museum’s transition and future accreditation.

Collaborate with colleagues in Marketing and Learning and Public Engagement on the creation and production of promotional and interpretive materials.
With Development team, craft grant and sponsorship proposals and cultivate relationships with existing and potential donors and sponsors.
Represent Museum and exhibition program in Philadelphia and beyond, serve as spokesperson for press and wider media, institutional partners and more.
Champion DEAI work and uphold NLM values across all areas.
With Executive Leadership Team, support change management to maintain momentum, buy-in, brand identity and vision-focus.
Train, mentor and empower staff to develop professionally and seek growth opportunities.
All other duties as assigned.

Experience & Qualifications

First-hand knowledge of museum or gallery administration, collections management, curatorial principles and practices, with proven success in creating dynamic or cutting-edge exhibitions.

Strong, effective team leader with knowledge of design-thinking strategies and practices who recognizes and cultivates creativity and talent.
Highly organized individual who welcomes accountability; proven ability to handle multiple projects in various stages of development and demonstrated capacity to proactively prioritize and manage time, juggle competing duties and tasks, and meet deadlines.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
Proficient in budgeting, financial analysis and accounting procedures.
4 to 6 years’ progressively responsible experience in a museum, commercial gallery or equivalent environment.
Bachelor’s degree in Art, Arts Administration, Design or Architecture required; Master’s degree preferred.
Experience with the Microsoft Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and computer-aided design programs such as Vectorworks or Google Sketch Up; collections management systems and project management software.
Experience mentoring and leading teams with staff at diverse career stages.

Salary

Salary is negotiable with experience in a range of 70K -90K

Physical Demands / Safety

The work environment and physical demands and characteristics are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions:

Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity including sitting/standing, limited lifting and carrying (up to 50 lbs.), up/downstairs.
Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an indoor environment, in museum offices or on museum floor.
Equipment: General office equipment, projector, Smart Board, two-way radio.
Staff will be asked to maintain a hybrid schedule with work being completed both in office and at home. Attendance requirements will be discussed upon first screening call.
Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO) authorized vaccine (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable. accommodation due to a qualified disability or sincerely held religious belief or another legal basis).

Work Environment/ Office Culture

We are proud of the work culture we have made at the museum and work each day to create an atmosphere in which everyone can contribute their ideas, energy, and enthusiasm for the important services we provide to the public. We emphasize working together as a team that is cooperative and supportive of each other, open communication is our highest priority.

Our leadership team is committed to creating an atmosphere of trust and open communication by always listening to and answering any and all staff questions or concerns. We believe in giving each staff member opportunities to grow and will always promote from within and where possible.

To Apply

The National Liberty Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking a diverse workforce. We are now interviewing and will continue to do so until we find the ideal candidate. Interested applicants are asked to please forward your 1) resume, 2) cover letter, and 3) professional references in ONE (1) document for immediate consideration to jobs@libertymuseum.org.

We regret we may not be able to respond to all applications. No phone calls, please.