Exhibition Content Manager at The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC)

Job Title: Exhibition Content Manager

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Cambridge, MA

Salary: $76,400 – $130,000

Job Summary
The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC) are dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – including fostering respect for all, serving the greater good, and welcoming individuals from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. HMSC is a partnership of public museums in Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences that includes the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. To learn more about HMSC’s mission, objectives, and core values, please visit our website https://hmsc.harvard.edu/

Position Summary
The Exhibition Content Manager is responsible for producing exhibit content across 4 museums in the HMSC partnership – the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Reporting to the Director of Exhibitions, the Exhibition Content Manager provides overall leadership and direction for the content development process, executing tasks in line with field-specific best practices from preliminary planning through final design and installation. They research and produce interpretive content including label copy and other print, digital, and interactive materials. They also oversee the image acquisition process, monitoring intellectual property ramifications and obtaining permissions as needed to secure images, video, and audio for public museum exhibits. This position manages up to two direct reports and/or contract staff who contribute to exhibit and multimedia content development. The Exhibition Content Manager must understand universal design and approach projects with a strong focus on the visitor experience.

Position Description

  • Develop exhibit content for delivery through text:
    • In partnership with the Director of Exhibitions, ensure that exhibit goals, objectives, themes, and key messages are clearly established and reviewed at specified points in the process
    • Develop interpretive exhibit content by conducting, in-depth research through literature reviews, subject matter expert interviews, and collaborating with other team members and exhibit stakeholders
    • Coordinate outreach and communications to new, existing, and prospective content advisors, including all scheduling matters
    • Coordinate and review material from academic and curatorial partners and integrate it into exhibit label text
    • Write, edit, revise, fact-check, and proofread text for exhibit labels and scripts
    • Ensure that the style standard for language, punctuation, and vocabulary usage, is consistent with museum field best practices for readability
  • Develop and/or oversee development of exhibit content for delivery through images, video, interactives, and audio:
    • Conduct research on visual imagery appropriate for inclusion in exhibits
    • Select visual and other imagery, such as photographs, videos, illustrations, and audio for exhibits.
    • Coordinate outreach and communications to prospective partners to secure copyright or other intellectual property permissions for the use of images, video, or audio files in HMSC exhibits
    • Ensure that audio/visual exhibit components are consistent with museum field best practices for accessibility
  • Coordinate translation of label text to additional languages as appropriate:
    • Conduct outreach to HMSC partner translators including scheduling meetings as needed
    • Collaborate with HMSC finance team members to develop contract and payment mechanisms as needed
  • Manage and supervise the work of up to two direct reports and/or temporary staff:
    • Lead the recruitment of new exhibit content team members, in partnership with Director of Administration and Director of Exhibitions
    • Lead onboarding of new exhibit content team members, in partnership with HMSC administration colleagues
    • Direct and oversee the work of direct reports, providing regular feedback to achieve project goals
    • Conduct all phases of the annual performance process (goals, check-ins, annual review) with direct reports
  • Participate in the installation of final exhibit objects, labels, and interactives in collaboration with the entire exhibit team, guest curators, and exhibit contractors
  • Perform other duties as needed and assigned, to meet exhibit deadlines

Basic Qualifications

  • Undergraduate degree in the natural or social sciences, education, nonfiction writing, museum studies, or a related field
  • 5+ years of experience researching, organizing material, developing concepts, and writing for a public audience
  • 2+ years of supervisory and management experience
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Additional Qualifications And Skills
The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply:

  • Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Proven ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and imaginatively with a wide range of audiences
  • High standards of accuracy and attention to detail
  • Ability to work successfully as a member of a team and independently
  • Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
  • Ability to multitask and maintain a positive, helpful attitude
  • Knowledge of museum signage and exhibit development processes
  • Experience interpreting cultural or scientific objects or specimens for exhibits in a science, social science, or history museum
  • Ability to read and understand scientific and social science literature

Physical Requirements
The role requires frequent standing, sitting, walking, and repetitive motions (typing, etc.).

Working Conditions
This primarily on-site position will be based in Cambridge, MA. Some scheduling flexibility is required, especially during periods of intense exhibit production and when meeting exhibit deadlines. Candidates must be available to shift their schedule on occasion to accommodate work planned on mornings and evenings outside of museum public hours.

Additional Information

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a cover letter with their application.
This position is subject to criminal, identity, and education background checks.
We regret that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
All formal written offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Work Format Details
This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website ( https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

  • Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
  • Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
  • Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
  • Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
  • Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
  • Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
  • Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
  • Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
  • Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

How To Apply

Apply via LinkedIn