Exhibition Project Manager at the Cleveland Museum of Art

Job Title: Exhibition Project Manager

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Cleveland, OH

Salary:  $45,000.00 – $50,000.00

Description

 The Exhibition Project Manager is responsible for an assigned selection of International, Traveling, and permanent collection exhibitions. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the museum, the Exhibition Project Manager is responsible for the administration of individual projects, and the coordination of a portfolio of projects in different stages of development over multiple years. The position is integral to ensuring the seamless completion of all exhibitions and installations, on time and within budget.

 This position has oversight of the organization of information and establishing the flow of work in the planning and implementation of exhibitions in the three main gallery spaces: The Smith Hall, the Smith Gallery, and the Focus Gallery, as well as rotation spaces throughout the permanent collection galleries. Special circumstances may permit that exhibition projects outside of these spaces may be included, as assigned by the Director of Exhibitions. The work involved in each installation specifically includes the development of work plans based on program needs, and then the management of checklists, budgets, schedules, and information on each installation. Provides administrative and research assistance specific to exhibition projects for Director of Exhibitions. 

 The Exhibition Project Manager serves as the liaison among internal departments responsible for the planning and implementation of exhibitions: curatorial, publications, development, finance, registrars, conservation, design & installation, education, marketing, and visitor services, and security. The position will represent the exhibitions department internally and will collaborate closely with the Director of Exhibitions on relationships with sister institutions.

Responsibilities 

  •  Providing project management to oversee exhibitions, gallery rotations, and other special projects including:
    • convening meetings and serving as chair, setting agendas
    • establishing, communicating, and following up on deadlines
    • tracking all project details to ensure on-time completion
    • working directly with Curators, Exhibition Coordinator, and Exhibition Associate on developing, maintaining, and managing individual project checklists.
  • .Managing exhibition and permanent collection schedules in collaboration with the Director of Exhibitions.
  • Managing individual exhibition project budgets in coordination with the Director of Exhibitions, including:
    • establishing expense-side projections for individual projects
    • tracking all exhibition-related expenses by project
    • maintaining internal invoice tracking, and individual shared-cost budgets for collaborative projects with other institutions
    • handling final accounting and reconciliation for shared-cost budget projects, including coordinating billing cycles with contract terms, and issuing invoices or credits as appropriate.
  • Managing individual exhibition contracts in coordination with the Director of Exhibitions, including:
    • negotiating or drafting appropriate contract terms for exhibition agreements with partner institutions and venue institutions
    • shepherding contracts through internal and external reviews to ensure terms are able to be met by all parties and that the museum is in good legal standing on each project
    • negotiating or drafting and maintaining guest curator and/or guest author agreements on individual projects, as appropriate
    • managing the internal distribution of fully-executed agreements to relevant and appropriate parties
    • tracking the deadlines outlined in each contract in a master calendar that ensures CMA meets the terms and expectations required in a timely manner
  • Developing and managing exhibition benchmarks in coordination with the Exhibition Director, Exhibition Coordinator, and Exhibition Associate, including:
    • Serving as the party ultimately responsible for exhibition production schedules on the whole
    • Knowing and communicating the current and pending benchmarks or deadlines for concurrent exhibition projects over multiple years
    • Fostering a sense of responsibility among involved museum departments for contributing to and monitoring production schedules for each exhibition.
  • Work collaboratively among Curatorial, Exhibition Staff, Development, Education, Editing, and Marketing to develop and maintain both Event Calendars and Fact Sheets on each exhibition to be shared internally in live time on the intranet, tracking:
    • Individual exhibition descriptions, including correct title, dates, and gallery location.
    • Accurate credit lines, both organizational and development
    • General internal facts including account coding, benchmark deadlines
    • Opening or special event schedule and all associated educational programming, including relevant Performing Arts, Music, and Film programs.
    • Proofread or ensure the review of all exhibition-related materials for accuracy before they are published.

Requirements

Master’s degree (M.A.) in arts administration, museum studies, or business administration from four-year college or university is preferred; Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.F.A) in same or related areas with three-plus years’ experience in museum administration or related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Employee must have good organizational, interpersonal, writing, editing/proofreading, accounting, and oral communication skills, as well as the ability to work well under pressure to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects concurrently. Ability to work well with a wide variety of people in different job positions essential. Computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office, and project management software are required along with basic office equipment such as fax machine, copier, printers, and CD-rom. 

Ability to think critically in considering exhibition proposals, and to produce as well as review, edit, and proofread exhibition-related material.

Ability to assist with the preparation of contracts and reports.

Ability to effectively present information to museum staff and the general public. Ability to respond to inquiries and problems and communicate effectively to a wide variety of people. Proficiency with one or more foreign language extremely helpful

To Apply:

Full details and application link can be found here