Exhibition Designer at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum
POSITION DATA
JOB TITLE: Exhibition Designer
DEPARTMENT: Exhibitions
REPORTS TO: Director of Exhibition Production
JOB CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time Exempt
SALARY RANGE: $70,000–$75,000 per year
DATE: January 2023
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Exhibition Designer develops 2D and 3D designs for exhibition displays in the
physical Museum galleries that chronicle the 9/11 attacks, the events that preceded
them, and their aftermath. These exhibitions encompass more than 110,000 square
feet of interpreted space and involve physical design, artifacts installed in cases and
on open mounts, graphics of a variety of production techniques, and extensive media
installations. Many of the core exhibitions are long-term, with artifacts and associated
graphics and media rotating on an annual basis. More extensive design activity takes
place in the Museum’s temporary exhibition spaces, including a 1,500-square-foot
gallery for mostly two-dimensional works and a 3,000-square-foot gallery for special
exhibitions with more environmental installations.
The Exhibition Designer is part of the Exhibitions department, which imagines and
actualizes physical installations, audiovisual exhibits, digital interactives, audio guide
experiences, and online storytelling platforms. It is the responsibility of the
Exhibitions department to maintain these installations, to ensure their daily integrity
and performance, and to refresh individual exhibits and larger galleries wholesale to
create meaningful and relevant experiences for Museum visitors.
This is a full-time position that reports to the Director of Exhibition Production. This
position may require some early morning or evening hours for installation and
maintenance work.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Physical design:
o Design temporary installations and exhibition rotations from concept
through construction documentation; working closely with curators and
content developers, registrars and conservators, preparators and mount
makers, fabricators and installers, and project managers and
administrators.
o Present design work and consider feedback from internal and external
stakeholders in an iterative design process.
o Design case layouts and review work of mount maker.
o Design lighting schemes for new exhibitions and supervise maintenance
of established lighting schemes in ongoing exhibitions.
o For adjustments, revisions, and repairs in the core exhibitions, ensure
adherence to established production specifications and overall
aesthetic and curatorial direction.
o Support Director of Exhibition Production in the oversight of
fabrication, installation, scheduling, and budgeting.
• Graphic design:
o Create graphic look and feel, graphic specifications, and production files
for new installations; conduct press checks as needed; and create or
coordinate development of any required graphic artwork.
o Research graphic and photographic materiality for new exhibits.
o For rotations in the core exhibitions, maintain graphic style guide and
specifications.
o Coordinate scheduling, processing, and trafficking of graphic materials
throughout printing process, manage workflow of deliverables, and
ensure projects are completed on schedule, on scope, and within
budget.
• In all designs, ensure adherence to conservation requirements, accessibility
guidelines, and security protocols.
• Assist with closeout documentation and punch list for exhibition installations,
and regularly inspect installations to ensure high-quality of displays is being
maintained.
• Organize and maintain exhibition design drawings, graphic art files, material
samples, and design mockups.
• For exhibition projects designed by an external consultant, serve as a design
advocate and advisor to the project team.
• Support other special projects as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS REQUIREMENT
• Education in design, fine arts, or related field, and/or experience as a designer
or as part of a successful museum design team.
• At least three to five years of work experience in a museum, design, or related
results-oriented cultural environment.
• Outstanding creative portfolio and knowledge of exhibition techniques,
graphics, space planning, exhibition lighting, fabrication of exhibition furniture,
materials, accessibility guidelines, and museum best practices.
• Excellent computer skills, including Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, and 3D-
design software such as AutoCAD, VectorWorks, or SketchUp.
• Proven graphic design skills including layout, typography, illustration, digital
photo editing, and hand skills.
• Familiarity with design, file-preparation for production, fabrication, and
installation phases of physical and graphic design.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to engage in interpretive discussions and create nuanced visitor
experiences.
• Attention to detail, good organizational skills, and the ability to plan, prioritize,
and coordinate multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Capacity to work on exhibition projects involving sensitive content.
• Respectful of trust, transparency, and differing perspective and
communication styles.
• Concur with core department values of:
o Creativity: we encourage creativity as a driver of innovation,
improvement, and meaning making.
o Belonging: we welcome, reflect, and create space for the diverse
experiences of our staff and visitors.
o Integrity: we uphold the highest standards of integrity in our actions
and creations.
o Safety: we foster a safe environment to work in and for our visitors to
engage.
o Accountability: we are accountable for delivering on our commitments.
o Effectiveness: we believe being effective allows us to best realize the
mission of the institution.
• The Exhibitions department encourages candidates to apply even if their
experience is not a 100% match with the position description. We are looking
for someone with relevant skills and experience, not just a checklist. We want
to help you professionally grow and in return, you help us develop into a
stronger, more inclusive team.
HOW TO APPLY
• Include job title in the email subject field.
• Please indicate the location where job posting was seen.
• Please submit a resume and cover letter to 911mmexhibitionsjobs@911memorial.org
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment described in this job description are
representative of those that the employee will encounter and is expected to meet to
successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to be mobile and
have the ability for two-way communication with the public and staff.
The work environment is an indoor, climate-controlled office environment comprised
of cubicles, walled-offices, and group conference rooms. The noise level in the office
environment is typically low. Employee will be required to comply with
organizational Health and Safety Plan. Minimal travel may be required.
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum (9/11 Memorial & Museum) is
an equal opportunity employer. Applicants who meet the qualification
requirements of the role will receive consideration without regard to their
race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin,
disability, or status as a protected veteran.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (9/11 Memorial & Museum) is
committed to an organizational culture that supports and reinforces our
values regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). We seek
to build a collaborative, open, and equitable space where staff want to be,
knowing that their contributions, professional expertise, and distinct voices
are valued and respected. We encourage and celebrate an inclusive
environment where candor and participation, when it comes to sharing ideas
and collaborative problem-solving, are welcomed regardless of one’s role at
the Museum or background.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified candidates, during
the interview process, to enable individuals with disabilities an opportunity to
interview.
Effective April 30, 2022, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum
(9/11 Memorial & Museum) requires all eligible employees be fully vaccinated
and boosted against COVID-19 as a condition of employment and provide
proof of such vaccination prior to their joining the institution.