Saint Louis Art Museum Chief Exhibitions and Collections Officer

Position Summary

The Chief Exhibitions and Collections Officer (CECO) of The Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) will lead and integrate SLAM's exhibitions and collections operations. The CECO will oversee the planning, logistics, care, movement, installation, and preservation of SLAM's collections and exhibitions, ensuring the highest professional standards across all related functions.

The CECO will serve as the primary operational partner to the Deputy Director and Chief Curator, translating curatorial vision into executable plans that are financially responsible, logistically sound, and aligned with institutional priorities. The CECO will enable ambitious exhibition programs, complex international and domestic loans, long‑term and rotating permanent collection installations, and capital projects affecting galleries and collection storage.

• Provide vision, strategic direction, and integrated leadership for the divisions of Registration, Exhibitions, Art Preparation & Installation, and Conservation.
• Serve as a principal advisor to the Deputy Director and Chief Curator on exhibition feasibility, collections logistics, risk assessment, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Guide each exhibition project from concept to kickoff to opening and deinstall, with check‑ins at concept, design development, pre‑fabrication, and pre‑installation, ensuring schedule and budget alignment.
• Use clear, consistent processes that reflect museum and exhibition‑industry best practices.
• Participate actively in strategic planning, institutional goal setting, and budgeting initiatives.
• Align exhibitions and collections operations with SLAM’s mission, strategic plan, and curatorial priorities.
• Contribute to long‑range planning for exhibitions, gallery rotations, collection care initiatives, and capital projects.
• Communicate directly with the Director and others on the Leadership Team, keeping them informed of issues relevant to their areas of responsibility.
• Coordinate meetings with the Museum Director, Chief Curator, Deputy Director, and Controller for scope, schedule, and budget changes.
• Embrace other executive leadership and strategy responsibilities as needed.

• Oversee the operational planning and execution of all special exhibitions, permanent collection installations, and gallery rotations.
• Ensure exhibitions are delivered on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with institutional standards for quality, safety, and scholarship.
• Work closely with the Controller to secure and document appropriate fine arts insurance coverage, ensuring that all artworks on loan for exhibitions are fully and accurately insured in accordance with lender requirements, institutional policies, and industry best practices.
• Review and recommend for the Deputy Director and Director’s approval all exhibition designs, including layouts, wall colors, casework, and enforce compliance with exhibition agreements.
• Collaborate with the Chief Design Officer to establish guidelines for all museum‑generated exhibition and installation design projects to ensure brand consistency and high‑quality visual standards.
• Establish and maintain exhibition management frameworks, timelines, and cross‑departmental workflows.
• Foster close collaboration among curatorial, design, learning and engagement, communications, development, facilities, and security teams.
• Conduct weekly production and stakeholder meetings to make decisions and clear any roadblocks.
• Build and maintain Traveling Exhibition Program. Maintain venue relationships, negotiate schedules, fees, and contracts, and establish and report on measurable outcomes.
• Partner with Development on grant planning, budgeting, and reporting for exhibitions and collections care; provide timely exhibition overviews, budgets, and compelling narratives to support fundraising efforts, including sponsor ships, grants, gifts, and memberships, and inform donor conversations; and collaborate on donor recognition and stewardship plans by helping coordinate cultivation events, previews, and behind‑the‑scenes access aligned with key project milestones.
• Embrace other…