Exhibition Project Manager II

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices, working together, increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission. We welcome people from all backgrounds into our team and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

Priority Final date to receive applications is March 9, 2026. Due to the volume of incoming applications, the role may be closed earlier than March 9, 2026.

Job Summary:

Under general supervision, manage small to medium exhibition projects from initial planning and design through construction and installation. Responsible for overall project communication and coordination to deliver public‑facing exhibition projects and public programs, often in collaboration with Guest Experience & Education, and generally without major life support components. Bring expertise to managing effective cross‑divisional teams as well as subcontractors and consultants as appropriate.

Perform other duties as required. The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans. All work will be conducted in a way that promotes animal welfare, environmental sustainability, as well as a sustainable culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Develop and manage project plans (e.g. project objectives, action plans, responsibility charts, detailed requirements, etc.) for small to medium public‑facing Exhibition projects from design through construction.
• Develop and manage scope, schedule, budgets and estimates, and identify resources needed for exhibition projects.
• Update key project documentation throughout each project.
• Produce quarterly status reports related to progress, budget, and schedule, developing risk mitigation strategies at all phases.
• Participate in collaborative processes (e.g. brainstorming, feedback and decision‑making sessions, creative development, workshops, and retrospective reviews).
• Schedule and host cross‑functional project meetings across multiple departments and divisions, managing overall project communication and coordination.
• Track project deliverables (from content, design, animal care, exhibit fabrication, and general construction) against project requirements (e.g., scope, timelines, budget) from initial planning through completion.
• Review the work of other staff and project managers throughout the Aquarium working on Exhibition projects to obtain necessary approvals from others.
• Communicate expectations across key stakeholders to individual team members to ensure deadlines are met and quality standards are achieved.
• Develop scopes of work, requests for proposal, and award of contracts for subcontractors and specialty fabricators.
• Manage select subcontractors, ensuring consistency, and adherence to project parameters.
• Provide project support to larger Exhibition projects and other project managers, including material and vendor research, compiling data, meeting notes, or other project documentation support.
• BA or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Project Management certification or equivalent experience preferred
• Minimum 2-3 years of project management experience
• Ability to utilize general supervision or guidance from others to manage exhibition projects independently
• Knowledge of exhibition project management and visitor‑centered museum practice
• Ability to keep creative and complex projects focused, on track, and in line with our goals and mission
• Leadership qualities with strong team building, communication, and active listening skills required
• Ability to learn facilitation and design thinking techniques
• Contributes to an open, inclusive, and collaborative environment on project teams for all disciplines to contribute their best work in line with project constraints and parameters
• Ability to build positive relationships with personnel from other Aquarium divisions, leadership staff, contractors, and stakeholders
• Capable of adhering to critical project timing while using good judgment, problem‑solving…