Associate Director of Design and Art Handling, Cantor Arts Center

3-year fixed-term

Stanford University is one of the world's premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Silicon Valley employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world. In turn, the university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives. We believe Stanford's future success will be shaped by the diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture of its community.

Serving the Stanford University campus, the Bay Area community, and visitors from around the world, the Cantor Arts Center provides an outstanding cultural experience for visitors of all ages and a growing online audience of scholars. The Cantor's encyclopedic collection spans 5,000 years and includes more than 40,000 works of art from around the globe. An established resource for teaching and research on campus, the Cantor offers free admission and programs year-round.

It is consistently one of the most visited university museums in the U.S. It is an exciting time to join the expanding team at the Cantor Arts Center. Join us as we build capacity to achieve the museum's goals within an equitable, collaborative, and creative work environment.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Associate Director of Design and Art Handling leads the planning and operations of the department and serves as Cantor Art Center's key advisor for exhibition design, fabrication, production, art handling, and installation. Promotes and implements a departmental and museum-wide understanding of best practices for design (2D and 3D), fabrication, production, art handling, and installation/deinstallation for the museum's temporary exhibitions and permanent collection installations circulating through approximately 50,000 square feet of dedicated galleries and public spaces.

Working collaboratively with curators, artists, registrars, and museum staff, they will use innovative design and production techniques to develop and deliver attractive, engaging, and durable exhibitions that comply with the highest museum standards for object safety and visitor accessibility. This position will manage a team of experienced art and gallery preparation staff and contractors who are responsible for exhibition design, fabrication, graphic and didactic production, mount-making, gallery prep, art movement, lighting, AV coordination, and installation/deinstallation.

This position is responsible for cultivating a professional, collaborative, and results-driven culture that fosters a spirit of continuous improvement and excellence across the department.

In this role, you will

• Lead the planning and operations of the department and serve as the museum's leader for exhibition design development and delivery, promoting a departmental and museum-wide understanding of best practices for design (2D and 3D), fabrication, production, art handling, and installation/deinstallation

• Cultivate a professional and highly collaborative team culture, ensuring the highest standards of communication, accountability, and excellence in all departmental operations.

• Work collaboratively with curators, artists, registrars, educators, and museum staff to develop and produce attractive, engaging, and durable exhibitions that comply with the highest museum standards for object safety and visitor accessibility

• Oversee the design, fabrication, gallery preparation/turnover and installation/deinstallation of exhibition elements including display furniture, environmental treatments, mounts, didactics and labels, painting and/or reskinning of perimeter and mobile walls, lighting, A/V, and interactive components (mechanical, digital)

• Develop, implement, and update the standards and written guidelines for the full range of design, fabrication, and art handling efforts, embracing high museum standards, industry best practices, and safety regulations

• Continuously research, evaluate, and incorporate trends and innovations that improve and strengthen processes and practices for effective exhibition design and production

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