Associate Director of Exhibition Planning at the Denver Art Museum

Job Title: Associate Director of Exhibition Planning 

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Denver, CO

Salary:  $72,300 – $94,800

POSITION PURPOSE:

This position reports to the Chief Exhibition and Collection Services Officer.

The Exhibition and Collection Services division at the Denver Art Museum includes the following departments:  Exhibitions, Registration and Traveling Exhibition Services, Collections Management, Conservation and Technical Studies, and Photographic Services. The Exhibitions department is comprised of three areas of focus: Exhibition Planning, Exhibition Production and Exhibition Preparation.  The Associate Director of Exhibition Planning oversees the Exhibition Planning team which is currently comprised of 4 project managers and one exhibition planning assistant. This role is responsible for: the successful planning and implementation of the campus-wide exhibition and gallery rotation program; the hiring of all external exhibition and graphic designers; and the management of the overall exhibition department implementation schedule. This position works closely with the Chief Exhibition and Collection Services Officer on the annual budgeting process for all exhibitions and rotations. This position is part of a dynamic, inclusive, and creative team who are committed to creating memorable museum experiences for all.   

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Manages institutional standards processes, workflows, and staff (internal and contract) for exhibition planning across the museum campus.
  • Identifies, hires, and manages a pool of contract exhibition and graphic designers for all upcoming and future projects with a commitment to engaging BIPOC and traditionally under-represented groups in the museum design field.
  • Manages and oversees the design and development of all in-house generated exhibition layouts.
  • Directly manages and supervises the Exhibition Planning team of Project Managers, and the Exhibitions Planning Assistant.
  • Works closely with the Associate Director of Exhibition Preparation and Associate Director of Exhibition Production, and Project managers to review construction drawings and related estimates; and supports and mentors all in effective value-engineering strategies.
  • Oversees exhibition and project assignments for all project managers, and project manages and coordinates the planning, design, and implementation for several exhibitions each year.
  • Oversees the coordination, distribution, and updates to the exhibition and rotation implementation calendar for the campus-wide program.
  • Works closely with project registrars to ensure they are included in, and up to date on, all aspects of exhibition planning as it relates to registration needs and considerations.
  • Guides project core teams (Curator, Curatorial Assistant, Project Manager and Interpretive Specialist) in the following: developing the overall exhibition narrative, layout and supporting creative content; advises on the arrangement of objects, sections and interpretive elements; ensures DAM’s Racial Equity lens is incorporated into the exhibition planning process; and helps teams effectively visualize the experience spatially in 3-d using sketch up or equivalent software programs as a tool.
  • Works closely with all areas of the ECS Division including :Exhibition Preparation, Exhibition Production,  Registration and Traveling Exhibition Services, Collections Management, Photographic Services, Conservation and Technical Studies (which includes mountmaking), as well as the Curatorial, and Learning and Engagement departments and the office of the Director, to ensure that institutional priorities, resources and labor, scheduling, budget and space needs regarding exhibitions, rotations and other installations, are met.
  • Works closely with the ECS Division Mangers and department heads to ensure that proactive, project-specific communications across the ECS Division are timely and inclusive.
  • Actively communicates and works collaboratively with all museum departments including:  Technology, Protective and Facility Services, Visitor Operations, Accounting, Development, Communications, and Marketing to ensure successful exhibition planning and implementation.
  • Develops, negotiates and finalizes contracts with artists, designers and vendors. Reviews and advises on traveling exhibition, and all other project related contracts.
  • Collaborates with the Chief Exhibition and Collection Services Officer on the annual budgeting process for all exhibitions and rotations. And works in close collaboration with all other areas of ECS, to ensure their input and considerations are integrated into the budget planning process.
  • Works with the Chief Exhibition and Collection Services Officer to manage the overall scope of the exhibition and rotation program, in addition to the overall exhibition budget and assists with throughout the fiscal year and coordinates the assembly, maintenance, monitoring, reconciliation and the communication of detailed project budget reports and expenses.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Extensive knowledge of museum exhibition planning processes and practices required
  • Ability to deal effectively with multiple projects simultaneously
  • Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment with shifting priorities
  • A minimum of 5 years project management experience required
  • Proven experience managing a team of direct reports required
  • Experience with project scheduling
  • Strong organizational and budget management skills
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and writing skills and an ability to work collaboratively and create consensus.
  • Training and/or experience with collection database systems preferred
  • Ability to read and interpret accounting information and contract documents
  • Ability to mentor and motivate teams, and to find creative solutions in a flexible, and calm manner.
  • An appreciation for the Museum’s commitment to constantly strive to improve the visitors’ experience.

OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Art Courier assignments as needed
  • Annual and mid-year evaluations for members of the Exhibition Planning team, as well as part-time staff as needed
  • Responsible for: identifying and implementing a new project management and scheduling program; keeping up to date on new trends in software systems and applications and investigates applicability to DAM projects; and trains staff on new programs and processes.
  • Coordinates closely with the Director of Registration and Traveling Exhibition Services to ensure that all gallery content created for DAM traveling exhibitions is up to date and ready to be shared with other venues as needed.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE:

  • Degree in an art, art history, museum studies, or business-related field and/or certification in project management required.
  • MA in Art History, Museum Studies, Project Management, or advanced degree in related field, preferred
  • Minimum 7 years successful experience in a museum environment, related to exhibitions, curatorial, or registration project assistance required.
  • Proven ability to work constructively within a team framework to build consensus
  • Strong computer experience particularly in Outlook, Excel, MS Project.
  • Advanced knowledge of Sketch up and or similar 3d design program(s).
  • Prove experience developing and managing project budgets
  • Proven ability to make decisions in a timely and responsible manner
  • Enthusiastic about working with a wide range of disciplines and interests
  • Proven ability to understand and work within institutional priorities
  • Sitting, working with hands, working with fingers, talking, hearing, vision
  • Standing, walking, sitting and climbing
  • Eye/hand/foot coordination
  • Subject to interruptions
  • Mental demands: written and oral comprehension,

The DAM prioritizes adaptability and a human-centered work environment.  We are happy to consider adjustments to job responsibilities to ensure the right candidate will be successful.

Pay: The hiring salary for the position is $72,300 – $94,800 based on experience.

Benefits: This position is based at the Denver Art Museum, which only has pay to park options, all employees are eligible to receive a free RTD Eco Pass.  A comprehensive medical/dental/vision plan available to extend to domestic partner, partner, spouse, and/family. DAM 100% paid Life STD/LTD. Generous sick and vacation time. Time off to pray throughout the workday. Two weeks paid parental leave. Flexible floating holiday schedule to accommodate those who practice non-Christian holidays. 403(b) Retirement Plan with immediate eligibility to contribute and, after one year of employment, an employer contribution and match. A free membership to the DAM at the Family level.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. We know there is no such thing as a “perfect” candidate – Nor do we look for the right “fit” with us, we look for the add! We encourage you to apply for a role at the Denver Art Museum even if you do not meet 100% of the bullet points. We believe in cultivating an environment where there is diversity of perspectives, in hopes that we can all thrive in an inclusive environment.

We know that searching for a job can be stressful so we would like to give you an overview of the process to manage expectations. This role will require a phone screen, two interviews with hiring manager and panel that will be held in-person at the DAM or virtually. This position will close on July 6, 2023 and we plan to contact qualified applicants shortly thereafter.

Apply via AAM

The Denver Art Museum:

As an institution, we believe the Denver Art Museum is both a platform for and an amplifier of the voices of people of all races. We acknowledge that Black lives matter and communities of color – Latinx, Indigenous, Black, and others – have been underrepresented in art museums over decades, both internally and externally. We are committed to elevating all voices, artworks and perspectives and strive to support racial equity inside and out.

We prohibit discrimination against any person or organization based on age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, political service or affiliation, genetic information, or disability, as well as any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

We strive to provide a professional and positive work environment for our employees. The Museum expressly prohibits any form of employee harassment on the basis of age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, political service or affiliation, genetic information, disability or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law.  Actions based on these or any legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated.

We encourage the freedom of gender expression and/or gender presentation.  As an institution, we do not create barriers that may prevent any employee from expressing behaviors, mannerisms, interests, and appearances that represent their authentic personality or culture. Qualified candidates are expected to exemplify the DAM’s internal values, which include being dynamic, respectful, inclusive, creative, and curious.  The ability to maintain effective and positive working relationships with visitors, employees, volunteers, representatives of public and private entities, policy making bodies, and contractors is critical to the success of this position.

The Museum believes vaccination is an important measure to protect the health and safety of everyone from significant illness due to COVID-19 infection. As a condition of employment, employees must present proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on their first day of employment or receive an exemption or other reasonable accommodation due to circumstances protected under federal or state law that prevent the employee from being vaccinated. Employees are also mandated to receive a booster within 6 months of being fully vaccinated.