Director of Exhibition Development at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Job Title: Director of Exhibition Development 

Job Status: Full-time

Location: New York, NY

Salary: $90,000 – $100,000

HOW TO APPLY

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Exhibition Development is responsible for managing content development, research, and interpretive planning for the Museum’s core and special exhibitions that support the organization’s mission to remember the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks and all those who risked their lives to save others. This position is entrusted to sustain public-facing experiences that tell the story of 9/11 and the attacks’ ongoing ramifications thoughtfully and compassionately.

The Director is part of the Exhibitions department, which imagines and actualizes physical installations, audiovisual exhibits, digital interactives, audio guide experiences, and online storytelling platforms. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum has approximately 110,000 square feet of interpreted space, and it is the responsibility of the Exhibitions department to manage these installations, ensure their daily integrity and performance, and plan for future use and relevance for Museum visitors.

This position works closely with historians, project managers, designers, media specialists, registrars, conservators, educators, and production colleagues to create exhibits that meet curatorial goals and design intent. This position may sometimes manage project schedules and contracts for content-related projects. This is a full-time position that reports to the Senior Vice President for Exhibitions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Direct overall content identification, research, tracking, and archiving for 9/11 Memorial Museum core, temporary, and traveling exhibitions.
  • Manage development of exhibition scripts, including writing, copyediting, style guide adherence, and documentation of final interpretive copy.
  • Work with colleagues to ensure factual accuracy of script and assets.
  • Ensure thorough tracking and dissemination of information related to exhibition resources under consideration or selected for exhibition, including records in the asset management database.
  • Manage rights and reproductions licenses for non-collection assets, in coordination with internal Legal department.
  • Facilitate the work of graphic producers, physical designers and fabricators, and media designers and producers with appropriate script and asset information; review design, production, and installation to ensure fidelity to narrative and curatorial intent.
  • Prepare and provide exhibit-related materials for other internal stakeholders, including Collections, Communications, Education, Institutional Advancement, Operations, and others as requested.
  • Supervise at least two exhibition development staff members.
  • Under the direction of the SVP for Exhibitions, provide input into overall Exhibition department calendar, staff assignments, and resource allocation.
  • Assist with other exhibition planning, strategic thinking, and implementation tasks and special projects as requested.
  • Support other project management responsibilities as they arise.

 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS REQUIREMENT

  • Overall understanding of exhibition development from concept development through installation, as well as standards and best practices for exhibitions.
  • Knowledge of exhibition content delivery systems, including two- and three-dimensional display techniques and media display techniques.
  • At least five to seven years of experience in a museum or interpretive position preferred.
  • Excellent research, writing, editing, presentation, and organizational skills.
  • Methodical and attentive to detail.
  • Ability to solicit, digest, and resolve sometimes conflicting feedback from internal and external stakeholders.
  • Experience managing multiple concurrent exhibitions and projects while maintaining flexibility with shifting priorities and deadlines.
  • Respectful of trust, transparency, and differing perspective and communication styles.
  • Concurs with core department values of:
    • Creativity: we encourage creativity as a driver of innovation, improvement, and meaning making.
    • Belonging: we welcome, reflect, and create space for the diverse experiences of our staff and visitors.
    • Integrity: we uphold the highest standards of integrity in our actions and creations.
    • Safety: we foster a safe environment to work in and for our visitors to engage.
    • Accountability: we are accountable for delivering on our commitments.
    • Effectiveness: we believe being effective allows us to best realize the mission of the institution.
  • The Exhibitions department encourages candidates to apply even if their experience is not a 100% match with the position description. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not just a checklist. We want to help you professionally grow and in return, you help us develop into a stronger, more inclusive team. 

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENT

  • Participate in the Annual 5K Fundraiser and September 11 Commemoration.
  • Assist with other special projects and events in support of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum mission, as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described in this job description are representative of those that the employee will encounter and is expected to meet to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to be mobile and have the ability for two-way communication with the public and staff.  

The work environment is an indoor, climate-controlled office environment comprised of cubicles, walled-offices, and group conference rooms. The noise level in the office environment is typically low. Employee will be required to comply with organizational Health and Safety Plan. Minimal travel may be required.

  • This job description is a descriptive list of the responsibilities and qualifications associated with this position and is not intended to be all inclusive. Employees are expected to also perform other business-related duties as assigned by the supervisor or other management.
  • The organization reserves the right to change, modify, or reassign job responsibilities, duties and scheduled work hours as per business needs.

________________

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum (9/11 Memorial & Museum) is an equal opportunity employer.  Applicants who meet the qualification requirements of the role will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (9/11 Memorial & Museum) is committed to an organizational culture that supports and reinforces our values regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). We seek to build a collaborative, open, and equitable space where staff want to be, knowing that their contributions, professional expertise, and distinct voices are valued and respected. We encourage and celebrate an inclusive environment where candor and participation, when it comes to sharing ideas and collaborative problem-solving, are welcomed regardless of one’s role at the Museum or background.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified candidates, during the interview process, to enable individuals with disabilities an opportunity to interview.