Exhibition Manager

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia seeks an Exhibition Manager to lead planning, coordination and delivery of exhibition installation across MCA’s Exhibitions and Commissions program. You will work with artists, curators, registrars, fabricators and contractors to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to high professional standards.

The role provides leadership in WHS, risk management and exhibition delivery procedures, ensuring accessibility and best practice in art

Qualifications

• Experience leading exhibition projects in a museum/gallery setting.
• Strong project management skills across multiple concurrent projects and budgets.
• Ability to build relationships with artists, curators, registrars and contractors.
• Demonstrated risk assessment and WHS compliance knowledge.
• Knowledge of museum standards for art handling, display and installation.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational planning, coordination and delivery of MCA Exhibitions and Commissions program.
• Monitor budgets and contribute to forecasting processes.
• Coordinate design, construction and installation with internal and external teams.
• Develop schedules and timelines with Registration Manager and curator.
• Manage contractor engagements and ensure safety and accessibility standards.

Skills

Exhibition management

Project management

Stakeholder relations

Budget management

Risk assessment

Communication

Leadership

WHS compliance

Tools

SketchUp

A/V equipment knowledge

Job description

Reports to Head of Collection and Exhibitions Management

About MCA:

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is the nation's leading institution dedicated solely to contemporary art, presenting work by living artists from Australia and around the world. Located on Sydney's iconic waterfront, the museum offers dynamic exhibitions, learning programs, and public events that engage diverse communities. It is committed to fostering inclusive, accessible, and innovative cultural experiences for visitors of all backgrounds. The museum provides a collaborative environment where creative professionals can contribute to shaping contemporary art discourse and public engagement.

The MCA encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and people from diverse cultures. The MCA acknowledges the enormous contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, staff, educators, arts professionals, and guests have made to the fabric of the museum since its inception. Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art practice has long been central to MCA collection and exhibition programs.

Overview of the position:

The Exhibition Manager is responsible for leading the planning, coordination and delivery of exhibition installation and display outcomes across the MCA Exhibitions and Commissions program. Working closely with artists, curators, registrars, fabricators and contractors, the position oversees exhibition construction, budget management, installation scheduling, audio-visual and lighting resources, and operational delivery to ensure projects are delivered to a high professional standard, on time and within budget.

The position provides leadership in workplace health and safety, risk management and exhibition delivery procedures, ensuring compliance with museum standards, accessibility requirements, and best practice in art handling, display and installation. The role also oversees installation equipment and resources, including audio-visual and lighting assets, and manages staff and contractors involved in exhibition delivery. As a senior member of the Collection and Exhibitions team, the position contributes to policy development, budget management, operational planning and continuous improvement initiatives, supporting the successful presentation of contemporary art projects within a dynamic museum and gallery environment.

The Exhibition Manager directly manages the Production & Installation Manager and management oversight and provision of leadership for casual installers.

Tasks and responsibilities of the position:

Exhibition delivery and operations

• Lead the operational planning, coordination and delivery of the MCA Exhibitions and Commissions program
• Monitor and manage exhibition delivery budgets, and contribute to program budgeting and forecasting processes
• Coordinate exhibition design, construction and installation requirements delivered internally and through external suppliers
• Develop and manage exhibition installation schedules and project timelines in collaboration with the Registration Manager and exhibition curator
• Manage contractor, supplier and fabricator engagements and agreements
• Ensure gallery and back-of-house facilities meet relevant museum, accessibility and workplace health and safety standards in collaboration with the Building Manager

Leadership

• Promote and maintain high standards of WHS, risk management and safe work practices across exhibition delivery activities
• Ensure installation staff, contractors and artists comply with WHS requirements, risk management protocols and safe handling procedures
• Contribute to review, development and implementation of policies, procedures and operational practices across Collection and Exhibitions team activities
• Maintain current knowledge of national and international best practice in exhibition design, display construction, art handling and presentation practices relating to contemporary art

Resource and staff management

• Provide line management, leadership and support to the Production & Installation Manager
• Management oversight and provision of leadership for casual installers
• Provide direction to contractors and other personnel involved in exhibition delivery
• Oversee the maintenance and management of installation equipment and resources, including audiovisual and lighting assets

Key selection criteria:

• A minimum of 4-5 years' experience in a comparable role managing exhibition projects, preferably within a contemporary art, museum or gallery environment
• Highly developed organisational and project management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, multiple concurrent projects and exhibition budgets effectively
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders
• Strong understanding of the needs of contemporary artists and the presentation, installation and care of artworks within museum and gallery contexts
• Demonstrated experience conducting risk assessments and ensuring compliance with workplace health and safety policies, procedures and safe work practices
• Sound knowledge of national and international museum standards and best practice relating to art handling, exhibition installation and display
• A proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to successfully apply for ASIC card
• A current Australian Driver Licence
• Experience using SketchUp
• Knowledge of electronic technologies in the arts