Exhibition Operations Manager at the Pacific Science Center

Position Summary

The Exhibit Operations Manager (EOM) is a full-time position that contributes to Pacific Science Center’s mission to spark curiosity and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation and critical thinking by delighting guests with an exceptionally well maintained and well executed, hands-on exhibit floor experience. The EOM leads the Exhibit Operations team and establishes and maintains high-quality exhibit operations in a period of renewal after the COVID 19 dormancy. They prioritize maintenance of existing exhibits, planning and production in support of new exhibits, and floor quality control. This is an ideal position for someone with a builder mindset who works well with people, is responsive, and loves to problem solve. They will improve and maintain a guest-centric approach to exhibit operations that includes: regular maintenance and repair, new fabrication and rebuilds, and exhibit installs and deinstalls for existing and new indoor and outdoor exhibits. They also provide collaborative contributions to new exhibits in support of an established exhibit schedule. The EOM mentors and motivates the Exhibit Operations (Ops) team with demonstrated practical knowledge of shop protocols including safety, fabrication techniques, tools and equipment, and project management. The EOM is a collaborator. They work alongside innovative colleagues including exhibit designers and developers, educators, and Facilities and Events staff, in addition to external partners and contractors. The EOM prioritizes Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access throughout this work as well as in colleague and community relationships.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities            

• Leads a team in maintaining, fabricating, installing/deinstalling, and ideating exhibits throughout 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space.
  • Hires, trains, schedules, and supervises Ops staff including timesheet management. 
  • Actively works to bring out the full potential of the Ops team. They provide clear direction, compelling purpose and realistic expectations, with a bias for action. This is a team that executes a diverse set of skills: from carpentry, lighting, paint and finishes, programming, etc. and the EOM manages the distribution of that work and the workflow of the team. 
  • Provides Ops team with regular feedback, mentoring, and team building. 
• Is a trusted thought-partner.
  • Seeks opportunities to improve Exhibit Operations’ communications, systems, processes, and policies in support of Pacific Science Center’s mission and guiding principles, with an emphasis on efficient, consistent, safe, and sustainable practices.
  • Models cross-team and collaborative communications.
  • Works closely with the Exhibit Design Manager and provides building expertise and technical leadership on exhibit projects from ideation to fabrication through final install. Provides technical, practical, and creative support throughout these processes for the Exhibits Design and Development team to positively inform the design and construction of scheduled exhibits.
  • Creates, implements, and manages a project and fabrication request system.
• Is a safety steward.
  • Oversees exhibit fabrication shops, e.g. wood, plastics, metals and electronics, ensuring safety standards are up to date, communicated to and followed by all Ops staff and other internal and external partners.
  • Ensures all users receive appropriate training on equipment and understand and acknowledge safety procedures.
  • Ensures equipment is properly maintained, supplied, and inventoried.
  • Creates and manages policies and procedures for the engaging and safe use of exhibit spaces for other teams (e.g. Events and Programming).
• Manages logistics.
  • Maintains and adheres to the Exhibits Production Calendar, which tracks work across multiple projects and spaces.
  • Manages the scope of every project—big and small—working within timelines.
  • Manages vendor interactions including sourcing, contracting, and execution.
  • Plan, prepare and supervise the installation and de-installation for both internally and externally designed exhibits, which includes receiving and sending out exhibit shipments.
  • Develops and actively manages the Exhibit Operations budget, including monthly reconciliation. Works within specified budgets. Ensure that any budget related contract requirements are met.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, Abilities 

• Knowledge of personal bias and a desire to be an anti-racist leader.
• Skilled in fabrication techniques across a range of materials including wood, metal, plastic, etc.  
• Demonstrated understanding of operational and maintenance needs of highly interactive spaces, ideally at museums, science centers, and/or other informal learning environments.
• Ability to manage projects and workflow in a highly-interdependent organizational structure.
• Proficient with tools and industrial shop equipment associated with fabrication and repair across wood, metal, plastic, etc. 
• Creating and tracking budgets at a department level.
• Staff supervisory experience; able to respond appropriately to the needs of individual staff.
• CAD basic proficiency; capable of reading, understanding, and analyzing technical drawings, specifications, elevations, etc.
• Medium level proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, and file sharing programs such as SharePoint.
• Written and oral communications are clear and effective with all audiences.
• Excellent organization and attention to detail.
• Excellent attention to safety.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize with sound judgment and within project scopes, including ability to organize around multiple projects.
• Ability to be flexible, innovative, and adaptive to rapid and regular adjustments to demands of tasks at-hand
• Consistent ability to apply creative problem solving to operational challenges
• Ability to work primarily work onsite 40 hours Monday-Friday with occasional evening or weekend shifts

Qualifications

Required

• At least five years of relevant supervisory experience in operations for industries such as hands-on museums, fabrication shops, live theatre/production, theme parks, etc. and where the focus has been on repair, maintenance, and fabrication.
• Project Management experience with demonstrated ability to deliver work on time, on budget, and within exceptional quality levels.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement strategies.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license (or ability to obtain one upon hiring) and a good driving record with willingness and ability to drive a 15-passenger van.

Preferred            

• First Aid Certification, or ability to gain certification.
• Direct experience with fabrication or production of 3D elements.
• Experience in hospitality-, or client-driven environment.

This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position and the level of knowledge and skills typically required. It does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee, and it is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.