Director of Exhibitions & Interpretation at The New York Botanical Garden
Job Title: Director of Exhibitions & Interpretation
Job Status: Full-time
Location: Bronx, NY
Salary: $110,000 – $120,000
Description
The Director of Exhibitions & Interpretation oversees the development, design, production, maintenance, and installation of multidisciplinary horticulture, science, and art/object exhibitions that engage visitors of all ages with plants and the natural world. This role is responsible for the day-to-day management of exhibition-related people and projects, supervising staff responsible for exhibition development, proper care for exhibition objects, and interpretation. The Director of Exhibitions & Interpretation serves as the primary department liaison with guest curators, designers, project partners, and vendors, and works closely with other key stakeholders across the Garden, such as Horticulture, Science, Operations and Capital Projects, Finance, Institutional Advancement, and Marketing and PR. Director of Exhibitions & Interpretation works closely with the Vice President to develop and implement strategy around exhibitions, interpretation, and publications, and serves as a key member of the Exhibitions & Programming leadership team.
Additionally, this position supports, through actions and conduct, NYBG’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) initiatives and helps to build and maintain an inclusive organization culture throughout the institution.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities Exhibition Development
• Manage ongoing and upcoming exhibitions, directing multiple projects simultaneously, from planning, content development, and design through construction and installation of final exhibitry and interpretation throughout the Garden’s 250-acre site.
• Together with colleagues in Exhibitions & Programming, Horticulture, Science, and other departments, identify potential exhibition guest curators, project teams and contractors, and advisory committee members, defining project needs and scope of work.
• Collaborate with guest curators and Garden staff to develop exhibition themes, object checklists, installation plans and layouts, and interpretation for exhibitions.
• Oversee the implementation of exhibitions Garden-wide, supervising the Exhibitions Project Manager in the development of long-term schedules and calendars, budgets, contracts, licensing, permitting, installation instructions, engagement and management of outside vendors, and institution-wide logistical communication.
• Facilitate incoming and outgoing exhibition object loans, preparing correspondence and supervising the Museum Registrar, overseeing the preparation of estimates for loan shipping, insurance, packing, crating, fees, and courier costs, and the safe and legal movement of objects and assures compliance with U.S. Federal and International shipping, customs and acquisitions laws.
• Undertake curatorial projects utilizing institutional art, science, and horticulture collections, including on-site and digital initiatives. Interpretation
• Collaborate with and supervise the Manager of Interpretive Content in the development of interpretive plans, workplans, assignment of project roles across the institution, and writing and editing of printed, audio, and digital interpretation for all exhibitions, permanent collections, and temporary displays.
• Oversee planning and production of publications for special exhibitions and collections-related projects, including writing original content, developing tables of contents and book plans, coordinating with contributors, overseeing image licensing, and serving as primary contact for publication editor and designer, and outside publishers (as applicable).
• Oversee content training for staff and tour guides for exhibitions and collections. Team Leadership
• Provide effective day-to-day leadership to the Exhibitions & Interpretation team, including assigning and monitoring project tasks, enforcing deadlines, and leading collaborative working processes, such as brainstorming and debriefing.
• Communicate expectations to stakeholders in Exhibitions & Interpretation and across the Garden to foster productive working relationships and cross-departmental coordination, and ensure deadlines are met and quality standards are achieved.
• Produce status reports related to progress, budget, and schedule, managing overall project communication and key project documentation
• Collaborate with VP for Exhibitions & Programming and other members of Exhibitions & Programming leadership team on long-term vision and strategic planning for new projects.
• Together with VP for Exhibitions & Programming, create and oversee exhibition policies while ensuring compliance with the best practice standards and AAM Code of Ethics. Contribute to developing best practices and processes for project management that can be documented, regularly assessed, and applied across projects.
• Conduct pre- and post-exhibition assessments to gauge alignment with IDEA and audience development goals. Develop a plan of action to address any interpretation and development gaps.
Requirements
Qualifications
• 5-7 years of experience in all aspects of planning, developing, designing, implementing, and installing exhibitions and interpretation, preferably at a museum or cultural organization.
• College degree required, Master’s degree (botany, biology, art history, museum studies, or related field) preferred. Project management certification or equivalent experience a plus.
• Self-directed, expert project manager with exceptional communication, research, organization, and planning skills.
• Flexible leader with demonstrated experience in managing and developing a multifunctional team and fostering an environment of collaboration and accountability.
• Ability to keep multiple creative and complex projects focused, on-track, and aligned with institutional goals and mission while prioritizing and delegating appropriately.
• Experience overseeing vendors including exhibit and graphic designers, fabricators, and art handlers.
• Strong writing skills, including grant writing; and experience overseeing publication development.
• Experience managing budgets and contracts.
• Basic knowledge of art conservation, registration, and art handling.
• Valid Driver’s License required.