Exhibition Content Writer/Manager

Harvard University; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University’s Harvard Museums of Science & Culture seeks an Exhibition Content Writer/Manager to lead content development for four museums and manage staff. You will research and craft label text, scripts, and multimedia content, and coordinate translations and IP permissions.

The role focuses on visitor experience, universal design, and collaboration with curators, researchers, and partners. Hybrid or on-site arrangements are considered based on project needs.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop exhibit content for delivery through text, ensuring goals and themes are established.
• Research through literature reviews and expert interviews to create interpretive content.
• Coordinate outreach with content advisors and schedule matters; review material from partners.
• Write, edit, proofread text for exhibit labels and scripts; ensure readability standards.
• Develop content for images, video, interactives, and audio; select imagery and secure permissions.

Skills

Communication skills

Public writing for museum audiences

Team leadership

Education

Undergraduate degree in natural or social sciences or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

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.

Job Summary:

The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC) are dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – including fostering respect for all, serving the greater good, and welcoming individuals from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. HMSC is a partnership of public museums in Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences that includes the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. To learn more about HMSC's mission, objectives, and core values, please visit our website https://hmsc.harvard.edu/

The Exhibition Content Writer/Manager is responsible for producing exhibit content across 4 museums in the HMSC partnership - the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Reporting to the Director of Exhibitions, the Exhibition Content Writer/Manager provides overall leadership and direction for the content development process, executing tasks in line with field-specific best practices from preliminary planning through final design and installation. They research and produce interpretive content including label copy and other print, digital, and interactive materials. They also oversee the image acquisition process, monitoring intellectual property ramifications and obtaining permissions as needed to secure images, video, and audio for public museum exhibits. This position manages up to two direct reports and/or contract staff who contribute to exhibit and multimedia content development. The Exhibition Content Writer/Manager must understand universal design and approach projects with a strong focus on visitor experience.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Develop exhibit content for delivery through text

• In partnership with the Director of Exhibitions, ensure that exhibit goals, objectives, themes, and key messages are clearly established and reviewed at specified points in the process
• Develop interpretive exhibit content by conducting, in-depth research through literature reviews, subject matter expert interviews, and collaborating with other team members and exhibit stakeholders
• Coordinate outreach and communications to new, existing, and prospective content advisors, including all scheduling matters
• Coordinate and review material from academic and curatorial partners and integrate into exhibit label text
• Write, edit, revise, fact-check, and proofread text for exhibit labels and scripts
• Ensure that the style standard for language, punctuation, and vocabulary usage, is consistent with museum field best practices for readability

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

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

Coordinate translation of label text to additional languages as appropriate

• Conduct outreach to HMSC partner translators, including scheduling meetings as needed
• Collaborate with HMSC finance team members to develop contract and payment mechanisms as needed

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

• Lead the recruitment of new exhibit content team members, in partnership with Director of Administration and Director of Exhibitions
• Lead onboarding of new exhibit content team members, in partnership with HMSC administration colleagues
• Direct and oversee the work of direct reports, providing regular 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 exhibit team, guest curators, and exhibit contractors.

Participate in exhibit team meetings

Participate in All Staff meetings and committees to support cross-departmental collaboration in support of HMSC’s strategic plan

Perform other duties as needed and assigned to meet exhibit deadlines

Working Conditions: This primarily on-site position will be based 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 when meeting exhibit deadlines. Candidates must be available to shift their schedule on occasion to accommodate work planned on mornings and evenings outside of museum public hours.
Physical Requirements: The role requires frequent standing, sitting, walking, and repetitive motions (typing, etc.).

Basic 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)

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply.

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• 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 and independently
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to multitask and maintain a positive, helpful attitude
• Knowledge of museum signage and exhibit development processes
• Experience interpreting cultural or scientific objects or specimens for exhibits in a science, social science, or history museum
• Ability to read and understand scientific and social science literature

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate:New hires can anticipate a salary somewhere nearthe midpointof the salary range. The amount will vary based on the position and the candidate’s relevant experience.
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal
• Other Information:All formal written offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
• Applicants must include a cover letter with their application.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’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 prior to 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 to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

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

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

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.