Exhibition Content Writer/Manager

Harvard University, Faculty of Arts & Sciences; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Health insurance from day one

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC) in Cambridge, MA, seeks a seasoned writer/manager to develop exhibit content and supervise a small team. You will craft text, supervise content development, and coordinate translations and permissions for images and media, ensuring accessibility and high standards.

This on-site role emphasizes collaboration with curators and educators. Applicants should have 5+ years of experience in exhibit content creation, strong writing/editing skills, and

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in the natural or social sciences, education, nonfiction writing, museum studies, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience researching, organizing material, developing concepts, and writing for a public audience.
• 2+ years of supervisory and management experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Develop exhibit content for delivery through text, ensuring goals, objectives, themes, and messages are established and reviewed.
• Develop interpretive exhibit content by researching literature, interviewing subject matter experts, and collaborating with team members.
• Coordinate outreach and communications to content advisors, including scheduling matters.
• Coordinate and review material from partners and integrate into exhibit labels and scripts.
• Write, edit, fact-check, and proofread exhibit text and scripts.
• Ensure language style, punctuation, and vocabulary meet museum best practices.

Skills

Research

Editing

Supervision

Microsoft Office

Education

Undergraduate degree in sciences or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Company Description

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

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart ofHarvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduateprogram (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all ofHarvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin GraduateSchool of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athleticsand the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academicdepartments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a communityunparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest rangeof liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeksto foster an environmentof ambition, curiosity and sharedcommitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from allmembers of our community and prepares the next generation ofleaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC) are dedicatedto building a diverse community of individuals who are committed tocontributing to an inclusive environment – including fosteringrespect for all, serving the greater good, and welcomingindividuals from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, andperspectives.

HMSC is a partnership of public museums in Harvard'sFaculty of Arts and Sciences that includes the Harvard Museum ofNatural History, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, theCollection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the PeabodyMuseum of Archaeology and Ethnology. To learn more about HMSC'smission, objectives, and core values, please visit our websitehttps://hmsc.harvard.edu/.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Develop exhibit content for delivery through text

• In partnership with the Director of Exhibitions, ensure thatexhibit goals, objectives, themes, and key messages are clearlyestablished and reviewed at specified points in the process
• Develop interpretive exhibit content by conducting, in-depthresearch through literature reviews, subject matter expertinterviews, and collaborating with other team members and exhibitstakeholders
• Coordinate outreach and communications to new, existing, andprospective content advisors, including all scheduling matters
• Coordinate and review material from academic and curatorialpartners and integrate into exhibit label text
• Write, edit, revise, fact-check, and proofread text for exhibitlabels and scripts
• Ensure that the style standard for language, punctuation, andvocabulary usage, is consistent with museum field best practicesfor readability

Develop and/or oversee development of exhibit content fordelivery through images, video, interactives, and audio:

• Conduct research on visual imagery appropriate for inclusion inexhibits
• Select visual and other imagery, such as photographs, videos,illustrations, and audio for exhibits.
• Coordinate outreach and communications to prospective partnersto secure copywrite or other intellectual property permissions foruse of images, video, or audio files in HMSC exhibits
• Ensure that audio/visual exhibit components are consistent withmuseum field best practices for accessibility

Coordinate translation of label text to additional languages asappropriate

• Conduct outreach to HMSC partner translators, includingscheduling meetings as needed
• Collaborate with HMSC finance team members to develop contractand payment mechanisms as needed

Manage and supervise the work of up to two direct reports and/ortemporary staff

• Lead the recruitment of new exhibit content team members, inpartnership with Director of Administration and Director ofExhibitions
• Lead onboarding of new exhibit content team members, inpartnership with HMSC administration colleagues
• Direct and oversee the work of direct reports, providingregular feedback to achieve project goals
• Conduct all phases of the annual performance process (goals,check-ins, annual review) with direct reports

Participate in the installation of final exhibit objects,labels, and interactives in collaboration with the entire exhibitteam, guest curators, and exhibit contractors.

Participate in exhibit team meetings

Participate in All Staff meetings and committees to supportcross-departmental collaboration in support of HMSC’s strategicplan

Perform other duties as needed and assigned to meet exhibitdeadlines

Working Conditions:

This primarily on-site position will bebased in Cambridge, MA (4 days on campus after 90-day Orientation& Review period). Some scheduling flexibility is required,especially during periods of intense exhibit production and whenmeeting exhibit deadlines. Candidates must be available to shifttheir schedule on occasion to accommodate work planned on morningsand evenings outside of museum public hours.

Physical Requirements:

The role requires frequent standing,sitting, walking, and repetitive motions (typing, etc.).

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in the natural or social sciences,education, nonfiction writing, museum studies, or a relatedfield
• 5+ years of experience researching, organizing material,developing concepts, and writing for a public audience
• 2+ years of supervisory and management experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel,PowerPoint)

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. Ifyou meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged toapply.

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communicationskills
• Proven ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely,and imaginatively with a wide range of audiences
• High standards of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work successfully as a member of a team andindependently
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to multitask and maintain a positive, helpfulattitude
• Knowledge of museum signage and exhibit developmentprocesses
• Experience interpreting cultural or scientific objects orspecimens for exhibits in a science, social science, or historymuseum
• Ability to read and understand scientific and social scienceliterature

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate: New hires can anticipate asalary somewhere near the midpoint of the salary range. The amountwill vary based on the position and the candidate’s relevantexperience.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University isunable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education,Criminal
• Other Information: All formal written offers will bemade by FAS Human Resources.
• Applicants must include a cover letter with theirapplication.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders thatsome of the duties and responsibilities can be effectivelyperformed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and locationwill be set by the department at its discretion and based uponoperational needs. When not working at a Harvard orHarvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions mustwork in a Harvard registered state in compliance with theUniversity’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts .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 priorto employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed tosupport a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental andfinancial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Ourbenefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage startingon day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuitionassistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & WellbeingPage .

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination . We seek talentfrom all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensureeveryone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our communityadvance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on thebasis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability,or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in theuniversity's non-discrimination policy . Harvard's equal employment opportunity policyand non-discrimination policy help allcommunity members participate fully in work and campus life freefrom harassment and discrimination.