Assistant Director, Gallery and Exhibition Planning

Association of Academic Museums & Galleries.; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Association of Academic Museums & Galleries is seeking an Assistant Director for Gallery and Exhibition Planning at Harvard Art Museums. This role involves leading exhibition projects from initiation through closure, working closely with various departments to ensure effective execution.

Candidates should possess a minimum of seven years in exhibition project management and a relevant bachelor's degree. The position may offer a hybrid work schedule and requires outstanding organizational skills and problem-solving abilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum seven years of exhibition project management experience in a cultural institution.
• Supervisory experience desirable.
• Demonstrated successful problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Define projects, coordinate planning, manage execution of exhibitions.
• Develop and manage budgets for exhibition programs.
• Draft and manage contracts with external partners.

Skills

Exhibition project management

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Budget management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in art history or related field

Job description

Assistant Director, Gallery and Exhibition Planning – Harvard Art Museums

Job Description

The Assistant Director of Gallery and Exhibition Planning works across museum teams to realize temporary exhibitions, presentations in the collection galleries, and related spaces from initiation through closure. With the Director, they shape and guide the development and realization of exhibitions and collection displays that create meaningful encounters with works of art of varying media and from diverse regions, time periods, and areas of human experience.

This position also supports the reach of the collection through traveling and partnered exhibitions. The Assistant Director leads the planning process for establishing the schedule of exhibitions; develops and manages short‑ and long‑term budgets for the exhibition program and oversees the administration of all temporary exhibitions and collection displays; serves on the Directors’ team and other institutional teams as assigned.

Job‑Specific Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the museum’s leadership, defines projects, coordinates planning and scheduling with contributing departments, manages execution, and tracks progress.
• With leadership, develops a strategy, defines and sets the concept goals, and ensures a balance of divisional representation, media, etc.
• Works closely with related staff in Curatorial, Collections Management, Editorial, Design Services, Institutional Advancement, and Finance.
• Provides guidance and direction, as needed, and maintains active communication.
• Drafts, develops, and manages exhibition budgets; works with Curatorial, Finance, and Institutional Advancement to identify funding sources and complete and submit working budgets; monitors expenditures, reconciles deviations, and provides approval as appropriate.
• Drafts, develops, and manages contracts and relationships with external partners and contributors, including artists and institutions related to commissions and traveling exhibitions.
• Sets institutional review process from proposal to approval; develops and communicates strategies and processes to stakeholders and project teams.
• Continuously reviews and revises for effectiveness and relevance, consulting with stakeholders as appropriate.
• Forms cross‑departmental exhibition project teams and manages toward timely completion; sets milestones within the project plan, assigns activities and timelines.
• Sets project team meeting schedules, directs agendas, and facilitates discussions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications are the minimum requirements a candidate must meet to be considered for this role.

• Minimum seven years of exhibition project management experience in an art museum or other cultural properties institution.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, museum studies, arts administration, or other relevant discipline strongly preferred.
• Supervisory experience desirable.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated successful problem‑solving abilities.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships at all levels of an organization.
• Experience in monitoring and/or managing complex budgets.
• Skills in meeting management and facilitation very helpful.
• Proven ability to accomplish goals amid sometimes conflicting priorities.
• Must be able to work both independently and as an effective team member.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week.
• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
• Pre‑Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre‑employment reference and background screenings: Identity, Education, Criminal.
• This position may be considered for a hybrid schedule. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
• This position will have a 3‑month orientation and review period.
• This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard’s Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary.