Senior Exhibition Designer

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth

C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC) is a partnership of public museums in Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences that includes the Harvard Museum of Natural History (HMNH), the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East (HMANE), the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments (CHSI), and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (PMAE). To learn more about HMSC's mission, objectives, and core values, please visit our website (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The Senior Exhibition Designer oversees all 3D and graphic exhibit design work for the HMSC exhibits department, including supervision of a design team with two direct reports. Responsibilities include setting and managing priorities for exhibit design and conceptual development, and leading exhibit design projects from inception through completion. The role collaborates closely with HMSC’s Director of Exhibitions and Executive Director on long-range planning and strategic direction for the exhibits department.

This position requires advanced knowledge of museum exhibit design, visual content interpretation and communication, museum directional signage, and graphic production expertise. The position reports to the Director of Exhibitions and serves on the Exhibits Department leadership team, helping to coordinate planning and production across the design, content development, and fabrication/production teams.

• Manage all aspects of 3D and graphic design for HMSC exhibit projects
  • Produce digital renderings, modeling, 3D visualizations, floor plans and elevations using Vectorworks.
  • Communicate and present design plans to stakeholders to guide decision-making.
  • Collaborate with HMSC colleagues, curators, and collections staff to ensure designs meet collection care, object safety, and conservation standards.
  • Collaborate with other exhibits department leaders to coordinate exhibit production.
  • Research prices and quality of products, materials, and vendors, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.
  • Manage external contractors when necessary.
• Collaborate with other exhibits department leaders to translate curatorial narratives into spatial experiences, integrating architecture, lighting, media, materials, and visitor flow
  • Ensure designs are safe and accessible, working with collections staff to present objects securely and in compliance with ADA guidelines.
  • Partner with curators and HMSC departments (Education, Marketing & Communications, Public Programs, Operations) to align exhibition design with institutional strategy and public-facing goals, resonating with diverse audiences.

• As part of the exhibits department leadership team, contribute to departmental planning, refining processes, and aligning work to meet departmental and institutional goals.
• Co‑manage the exhibits schedule from concept through installation, ensuring deadlines are met and exhibitions are produced efficiently and to the highest…