Exhibition Manager and Lead Preparator

Job Description Position Reposted. Review of applications will begin on September 28, 2026

REQUIRED:

Attach Resume and Cover Letter

Work conditions are primarily inside, however, infrequent outside work will occur. Frequently required to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to paint, solvents, adhesives, and air-borne particles, and to minimize risk while using specialty hand and power tools. Position requires ability to climb ladders; to have flexibility and ease of mobility; ability to lift and move large and heavy objects using basic moving equipment;

and ability to stand for long periods of time. Position requires the ability to work unscheduled overtime during periods of installation/deinstallation and to support special programs and events. Position requires the use of personal vehicle.

• Oversees exhibition planning and management for all museum exhibitions and permanent collection installations in coordination with museum leadership
• Creates and develops exhibition and installation timelines using specialized project management software, including Air Table
• Ensures benchmarks are met according to schedule
• Presents timelines to entire museum staff and assigns tasks as appropriate
• An expert in exhibition design, creates exhibition layouts professionally designed with CAD software, including in Sketch Up, with assistance from Assistant Preparator and in consultation with curators
• Ensures exhibitions and objects are installed according to the highest museum standards and best practices, and in accordance with programmatic, conservation, aesthetic and ADA requirements
• With Deputy Director and Director of Operations, prepares and administers exhibition budgets and estimates, and ensures that expenditures are within agreed upon budgetary limits
• Researches, recommends and hires specialized contractors and specialized equipment as needed for complex exhibition projects and as approved by museum leadership
• Oversees and coordinates routine gallery inspections, touch-ups and cleaning

• Manages and executes all aspects of exhibition installation, deinstallation, and construction
• Prepares exhibition spaces in advance of exhibitions, schedules any necessary contractors or campus partners, coordinates gallery painting, and facilitates building all temporary walls and installation components
• With museum curators, determines display casework and presentation furniture as needed for specific exhibitions, produces construction plans and shop drawings for all necessary furniture, and coordinates and builds all exhibition casework and display furniture as needed with Assistant Preparator
• Oversees the inventory and movement of cases, museum furniture, and other exhibition-related objects
• In consultation with curators, identifies framing and other artwork preparation needs for each exhibition
• Assigns and supervises artwork preparation, including artwork framing, by the Assistant Preparator
• Supervises the design, production, and installation of all exhibition didactics, text panels, title displays, object labels, and other graphic displays by the Assistant Preparator
• Well versed in the technical demands of time-based media and its installation, determines and coordinates all audiovisual requirements for exhibitions, assists with audiovisual equipment installation, set up and regular maintenance, and supervises any specialized contractors
• With Curator of Collections, coordinates delivery and handling activities for loaned artworks
• In consultation with museum curators, sets and maintains gallery lighting at accepted light levels
• With Director of Operations, manages vendors, temporary contractors and purchases, identifies skilled vendors and temporary contractors as needed, requests estimates, places orders, tracks, coordinates, and manages deliveries

• Oversees facilities maintenance and upkeep, organization of collections and storage spaces, and museum workshops in coordination with the Director of Operations including scheduling and facilitating work with University Facilities and outside contractors
• Ensures that storage areas are maintained at professional levels of environmental and security control
• Monitors and maintains museum facilities, including overseeing the organization of collection storage spaces and maintaining the appearance of exhibition spaces by Exhibition…