Director of Exhibit Development and Fabrication

Socket.dev; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K with match

Free admission tickets

Employee discounts

Paid time off

Company holidays

Job summary

Discovery Cube is seeking a Director of Exhibit Development and Fabrication to lead in-house exhibit fabrication from concept to installation across our Orange County and Los Angeles campuses.

You will build and manage a diverse team, craft fabrication timelines and budgets, collaborate with marketing, education, operations, and development, and develop traveling exhibition programs while maintaining strong partner relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience leading fabrication/project teams from concept to installation.
• Strong budgeting and scheduling capabilities.
• Willingness to travel to Orange County and Los Angeles campuses.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategy to grow in-house exhibit fabrication capabilities.
• Build and manage a diverse team of full-time, part-time, and contract labor.
• Oversee exhibit project development from ideation to installation.
• Prepare fabrication timelines, budgets, and expenditure tracking reports.

Skills

Project leadership

Team management

Budget planning

Public speaking

Communication

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Come join the fun and make a difference with Discovery Cube! For over 25 years, we've been inspiring kids and educators alike with our hands-on science education initiatives and interactive exhibits. Our four core initiatives - STEM proficiency, early childhood education, healthy living, and environmental stewardship - are future-forward in promoting life-long-learning. Plus, with our immersive campuses in Orange County and Los Angeles, as well as our educational outreach programs, there are endless opportunities for learning exploration. As a prominent advocate for modern science education, we believe in empowering our learners with real-world applications and spotlighting science as a solution and force for good. Don't miss out on the excitement and join our important mission today!

Position:

The Director of Exhibit Development and Fabrication is responsible for assisting the Vice President in creating new exhibits and installations in Discovery Cube Orange County and Los Angeles from conception, through planning, to installation.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategy to grow Discovery Cube’s in-house abilities to fabricate exhibits.
• Build and manage a team of skilled positions combined of full-time, part-time, and contract labor.
• Manage exhibit project development from ideation to installation.
• Prepare exhibit fabrication timelines, budgets, expenditure tracking reports throughout project development.
• Foster collaboration with other Cube departments to ensure their needs are included in the exhibit design
• Draw fabrication details for production and keep a library of exhibit fabrication details for reproduction.
• Create maintenance manuals for exhibit upkeep.
• Develop & manage new traveling exhibition program strategy with same project reporting requirements.
• Maintain good relationships with partner museums for traveling exhibition program.
• Research & brainstorm exhibit ideas that unite educational goals with unique / engaging / immersive experiences.
• Define, organize, and articulate museum experience ideas through presentations, briefs, flowcharts, spreadsheets, mood boards and mock-ups before / while contracting with fabricators and partners.
• Work with partners as they develop the physical and digital assets of installations.
• Facilitate the work of graphic producers, physical designers and fabricators, and media designers and producers with appropriate script and asset information
• Conduct observations of current exhibit for impact, engagement, and durability.
• Prepare and provide exhibit-related materials for other internal stakeholders, including marketing, development, education, operations, and membership, and others as requested.
• Oversee planning, managing and staging of new projects and exhibit installations, including test and adjust, training and post-opening experience.
• Stay up to date with museum / attraction / education trends through site visits and online research.

Qualifications:

• Overall understanding of exhibition or themed set/props development from concept development through installation, as well as standards and best practices.
• Proven experience managing, growing, and retaining a project team of diverse skill sets.
• At least five to ten years of experience managing fabrication teams of exhibits or themed sets/props.
• At least five to ten years of experience traveling exhibition or themed sets/props.
• At least five to seven years of experience in a museum or interpretive position preferred.
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated high level of competency with Microsoft Office software.
• Excellent research, writing, editing and oral communications skills, including public speaking.
• Ability to manage many projects at one time, prioritizing, meeting deadlines and planning for high efficiency.
• Ability to analyze and track results.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people.
• Accountability: we are accountable for delivering on our commitments.
• Effectiveness: we believe being effective allows us to best realize the mission of the institution.
• Must be available, and have reliable transportation to travel to Orange County and Los Angeles campuses

What’s In It For You:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Optional supplemental insurance coverage
• 401K with up to 4% match after one year for full-time employees
• 14 Free general admission tickets per year
• 4 Bubblefest tickets plus admission
• 10% of on-site dining and shopping discount
• Employee discounts through ADP
• Accrued paid time off for full-time employees
• 10 paid company holidays

Compensation:

$115,000—$150,000 USD

Discovery Cube provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.