Air & Space Exhibit Project Manager at California Science Center Foundation

Description

As the Air & Space Exhibit Project Manager, you will plan and execute the development, fabrication, and installation of new aerospace exhibits in the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center to support the Science Center’s mission to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone. You will work day-to-day with a team of internal and external stakeholders, including exhibit developers, designers, aerospace content experts, fabricators, and technical consultants. On this team, you will be involved in all aspects of exhibit development and design, including task management, scheduling, contracts, and project documentation. This is a mission-critical position that will directly support the success of the Air and Space Center project and its financial, schedule, and guest experience objectives. This position is funded for at least four years, with the potential for extension pending additional funding and/or assignment to other projects.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required.
• 3 years of professional experience working in project administration or management (or equivalent), and the successful completion of at least one major project, such as an exhibit, design-build, or equivalent user-facing experience.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 5 years of professional experience working in project administration or management; experience in exhibit development is a plus.
• Project Management Professional certification (or similar) is a plus.
• Demonstrated success, as evidenced by previous project management assignments, as part of multi-disciplinary exhibit team in the execution of large-scale, sophisticated, multi-sensory exhibits.
• A thorough understanding of the exhibit development process and its key components including, but not limited to, dimensional, ergonomic and user interface design; exhibit evaluation and prototyping; design development from concept through fabrication; audio-visual hardware and software design and integration; factory and site acceptance testing; and exhibit installation and maintenance.
• Experience in providing strategic direction for the development, design, and execution of large-scale, technically complex exhibits or other user facing experiences.
• An informed understanding of the interface and coordination requirements pertaining to the integration of an exhibit program with a building design and architectural specifications.
• A working understanding of best practice curatorial standards regarding the care, restoration, and display of historically significant aerospace artifacts.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to confidentially engage executive staff, Board members, donors, and key project stakeholders, in articulating the goals, content and status of an exhibit development effort.
• Able to think creatively, solve unstructured problems, engage with new ideas and diverse viewpoints with an open mind, and improve ideas based on constructive feedback from a diverse team of creative partners and stakeholders.
• Able to collaborate productively and respectfully with a creative team.
• Able to build productive relationships with internal teams, external stakeholders, and departments throughout an organization.
• Effective time management skills combined with the ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously, and to work within tight schedule and budget constraints.
• Proficient in common productivity software, including Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Excel), Google Suite, and project management software.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Budget and schedule management responsibility for the entirety of the Air and Space Center guest experience program valued at approximately $30 million.
• Work closely with the in-house team to track progress on and evaluate an exhibition program consisting of 150+ hands-on interactive experiences, 100+ historic artifacts, 800+ graphic elements, two immersive theaters, and a wide array of electro-mechanical, digital and hybrid exhibits.
• Conceptualize and develop project budgets, schedules and work flow strategies, including defining major milestones and critical paths, for the successful completion of tasks on time and on budget.
• Manage in-house project management tools, files, and project documentation, including, Dropbox, Microsoft 365 products, Google Drive, ClickUp, etc.
• Writes and oversees contracts between the Science Center and external vendors including technical consultants, exhibit designers, fabricators, audio-visual producers, etc.
• Oversees purchase agreements, fiscal year budget planning, and reconciliation with accounting departments.
• Maintain and update the exhibition development schedule, meeting calendar, and task management/project management software.
• Interfaces with other Science Center departments as necessary.
• Prepare and deliver internal and public presentations about project updates.
• Perform other duties as required.

Apply via AAM