Museum Manager of Collections & Exhibits at the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science

This is an exciting time for Cape Fear Museum of History and Science as we are in the midst of “Project Grace” a groundbreaking endeavor to open a modern purpose built Museum in late 2025! 

 

We are seeking a Manager of Collections and Exhibits to join our team at New Hanover County. This is a unique opportunity for an imaginative, creative, and experienced museum leader who will be working on innovative concepts with an exceptional team.

 

This position has primary responsibility for overseeing the management of the Museum’s collections, exhibits, research and the supervision of staff assigned to accomplish the mission of the Exhibition and Collections Units. Works collaboratively with other Museum units and facilitates department-wide communication regarding unit mission and goals. Essential to the position is an adherence to the highest museum standards and best practices, and the ability to work collaboratively and to contribute meaningfully to the museum’s strategic plans and overall mission.

Essential Duties include:

• Provides leadership for the Collections and Exhibits Units, develops long-range goals, plans budgets to accomplish goals, monitors budgets to ensure sound fiscal management, communicates budget concerns to the Director, and serves as the spokesperson to represent the units’ needs, concerns, or issues.
• Supervises Collections and Exhibit Units, prioritizes and assigns work; conducts performance evaluations; ensures staff is trained; and makes hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Oversees the exhibit planning process and guides the team in the production and installation of temporary, permanent and traveling exhibitions. Collaborates with other Museum units to develop exhibits and programs that meet the Museum’s mission for the general public.
• Working with the curator, defines and delivers a strategy to build, enhance and expand the Museum’s collection and develop a comprehensive plan for collecting in the future.
• Manages new initiatives that include exhibit renovations, development of exhibit outreach projects, oversight of new online collections and exhibit projects, and works with the Museum’s Operations Manager on major facility renovations.
• Performs field inspections of Museum facilities to ensure the condition of exhibitions meets standards, troubleshoot problems, and discuss issues with on-site staff and Museum Operations Manager.
• Oversees exhibit fabrication and repair work performed by subcontractors. Prepares bid specifications, obtains purchase orders, reviews bids, selects subcontractors, and monitors ongoing work. Develops and administers contracts in accordance with county guidelines.
• Works with donors, scholars, and colleagues both internally and externally, and facilitates partnerships with other institutions to promote stewardship, research, understanding, and use of the collection and the Museum’s resources.
• Serves as a resource for addressing patron inquiries, to include responding to complaints and managing program and facility emergencies.
• Recommends, writes, reviews, and administers grants supporting exhibit development and collections management; identifies and helps to cultivate private support for exhibit development and collections management.
• Assists with unit budget preparation and administration, monitors expenditures and income, and reviews invoices and approves payments related to exhibitions and collections.
• Assists in the implementation of Capital Improvement Projects and works with the director to manage the reaccreditation process.
• Attends relevant public events, represents the museum in radio, television, and various public speaking forums, and maintains professional connections with the community.
• Develops, implements, and maintains policies governing disaster preparedness and response as it relates to the collection and exhibits working with Operations Manager, Curator, and Safety Officer, and ensures unit staff are trained.
• Acts as Museum Director when assigned; provides competent leadership in both routine and emergency situations; and assigned regular rotation as manager-on-call.

New Hanover County is dedicated to the recruitment and recognition of a talented and diverse workforce that is committed to public service. Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, equity, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers. Supported by the work of our Office of Diversity and Equity, New Hanover County celebrates diversity in our employees’ backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and abilities, while supporting growth opportunities for all. Our talented team has a passion for providing care and services that effect change on the everyday lives of the citizens they encounter. The differences that unite us are a reflection of the community we serve. If this sounds like an organization that models the values you uphold, we invite you to join our team at New Hanover County.    
 
 

Hours:
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Must be available to report for emergency work assignment during emergency situations.
 
Employment Type:
Full-time, exempt 
 
Salary Information:
The hiring range for this position is $68,495 – $92,468 annually, plus a competitive benefits package.  Salary will be determined based on qualifications, internal equity, budget, and market considerations.
 
New Hanover County offers:

• Employer paid 401k contributions;
• Retirement plan through the NC Retirement system;
• Flex time and telework availability, depending on your position;
• Paid sick and personal leave + 13 paid holidays per year;
• Paid parental leave;
• Paid community services leave to give back to our community;
• Education leave to obtain a degree within your line of work; 
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options; 
• Onsite, employer-paid health and wellness center;
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives; 
• Opportunities to make a difference in your community;
• And so much more!

 
We invite you to explore our careers page at www.nhcgov.com/careers for additional information about why New Hanover County is a great place to work, and to check out our competitive benefits package.  

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science (CFM) is an AAM-accredited museum and became a Smithsonian Affiliate in 2018. The Museum has been a department of New Hanover County since 1977 and its founding collection dates to 1898.  Cape Fear Museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret objects relating to the history, science, and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear. CFM strives to educate and serve the community with a vision to be welcoming, engaging and meaningful to all and participates in the national initiative, Museums for All.
 
The Museum building is approximately 40,000 square feet with 50% dedicated to public use – exhibits, classrooms, lobby, and amenities. The collection consists of more than 56,000 artifacts with approximately 1,000 objects on long term display. The 6,000 square foot exhibition, Cape Fear Stories, provides an overview of the region’s history, cultures, and related science from prehistory through the end of the 20th century utilizing artifacts, interactives, and vignettes to highlight a wide range of events from the development of the naval stores industry to the 1898 Coup D’état.  Children and adults explore STEM concepts in Space Place and the ecosystems of the Cape Fear area in the Discovery Gallery. Changing exhibits rotate several times per year. Current traveling exhibits include H2O Today and One Half of the People: Advancing Equality for Women.  In 2015, the Museum transformed a parking lot into a community park that features interactive exhibits, native plant gardens and educational programs.
 
 Visitors enjoy workshops, lectures, and performances in CFM’s Williston Auditorium, which seats up to 120 adults. Within the auditorium, an exhibit honors local African American graduates of Williston High School. The Museum hosts a number of family and school events each year including Star Party and the National History Day regional competition. Evening programs tailored to adult audiences include What’s Brewing in Science and Museum After Dark.  Educators provide curriculum-based, hands-on school fieldtrips to approximately 18,000 students annually.  PreK programs are provided on-site and at local community centers. With the successful transition to online platforms in 2020, constituents can now experience many programs, events and exhibits virtually.

 

The Museum staff are currently engaged in developing exhibitions and planning for a new Museum location which is to open in late 2025. This new facility will effectively double the exhibition space with the following exhibitions.
 
Cape Fear Stories (9000 sqft): This gallery delves into the rich history of the Lower Cape Fear. With its interactive exhibits it will captivate audiences of all ages, including school groups and lifelong learners, strengthening our community partnerships and connections.
 
Port City Play (1500sqft): Tailored for young children and their caregivers, this gallery creates a dynamic learning environment for our youngest visitors. Through imaginative play spaces, storytelling and hands-on interactives, it plants the seeds of curiosity and shared experiences that can shape our shared future.
 
Science Matters (3000sqft): This gallery emphasizes the importance of science in understanding and changing the world. With hands-on exhibits and community partnerships, it will attract a wide range of audiences, fostering a culture of scientific inquiry and knowledge sharing.
 
Curious Nature (3000sqft): This outdoor gallery encourages environmental stewardship and appreciation for the local ecosystems. By engaging intergenerational groups and partnering with local organizations, it will promote an appreciation for the outdoors and sustainable practices.
 
Planetarium and Immersive Theater (1000 sqft): The immersive theater, a unique feature that will seat 60 people, will cater to a wide range of audiences, from school groups to families and young adults. It enhances our capacity to reach visitors who may not otherwise visit the museum, expanding our impact.
 
Temporary and Traveling Exhibition Gallery (5000 sqft): This adaptable space opens doors to a myriad of exhibits, enriching our engagement with the community. It ensures that our offerings remain fresh and appealing to both repeat visitors and newcomers.
 
Join us in this exhilarating endeavor as we shape the future of the museum experience. Be part of a team that brings history, science, and culture to life.
 
Apply now and make history with us!