Exhibits Manager – Full Time

Valid8 Financial, Inc.; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Arizona Science Center is seeking an Exhibits Manager to oversee the maintenance of exhibits and galleries, lead the Exhibit Technician team, and collaborate with science center teams and external vendors to deliver engaging guest experiences.

You will supervise maintenance, oversee safety protocols, fabricate or prototype new exhibit components, and manage budgets under leadership direction. Strong technical skills and creativity are essential for sustaining state‑of‑the‑art displays.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent; at least 4 years related experience or training; or equivalent combination.
• Prior experience in exhibits, science centers, museums, custom fabrication preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily supervision of Exhibit Technician team; delegate tasks for timely completion.
• Maintain and repair exhibits; diagnose faults and repair components.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance; ensure safe operations across areas of responsibility.
• Oversee training and safety procedures for Exhibit Technicians.
• Interact with visitors about exhibit functions and troubleshoot inquiries.
• Coordinate installation/removal of exhibits and traveling shows with vendors and logistics.
• Partner with facilities to ensure high-quality guest experience and safety.
• Read plans, prototype, and test new exhibits; oversee workshop safety and organization.
• Manage budgets and forecast needs for exhibits under leadership guidance.

Skills

Carpentry

Metal work

Electrical

Computer electronics

Education

Bachelor's Degree

4+ years experience

Tools

CAD

SketchUp

Job description

Reports To: Chief of Science & Curiosity

FLSA Status: Exempt

Are you looking for a fun, inspiring place to work? We are looking for you! Arizona Science Center is an exciting, fast‑paced, and hands‑on environment for our guests and team.

At Arizona Science Center, we take pride in providing the perfect mix of fun, education, and excellent service to our guests of all ages. We are looking for talented, enthusiastic individuals to join our team!

POSITION SUMMARY

The Exhibits Manager is essential in maintaining the exhibits and galleries at Arizona Science Center to inspire, educate, and engage curious minds and create positive and memorable experiences for Center guests of all ages. The Exhibits Manager is responsible for developing and supervising the Exhibit Technician team, collaborating with other Science Center teams and outside suppliers by building relationships, negotiating costs and evaluating services provided, and maintaining records. Strong technical skills and creativity are required to maintain and enhance exhibit pieces on the floor as well as to occasionally fabricate new exhibits or exhibit components.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Arizona Science Center maintains a firm policy of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants. We recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and dismiss Employees based on such factors as experience, character, ability, and skill, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or heritage, age, marital or veteran status, disability, citizenship, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct daily supervision of the Exhibit Technician team including delegation of work responsibilities to ensure timely and accurate completion of tasks.
• Directs and performs scheduled maintenance on exhibits to ensure reliable operation; diagnoses faults/failures and adjusts and/or repairs individual exhibits.
• Coordinates preventative maintenance protocols and schedules in all areas of responsibility to reduce the impact on maintenance/operations functions.
• Oversees the regular ongoing training and safety procedures of Exhibit Technicians.
• Responds to visitor inquiries about the function of exhibits when on the exhibit floor.
• Oversees Traveling Exhibition Lead and assists with logistics, installation and removal of exhibits, traveling shows and support components.
• Work in close partnership with the Facility maintenance team to provide a quality guest experience within the building.
• Multidisciplinary Skillwork – Carpentry, Metal Work, Electrical, Computer Electronics, etc.
• Read and build from plans, prototype, and test new exhibits.
• Provide oversight of the workshop (wood and metal) including all applicable safety standards, cleanliness, inventory and organization.
• Communicates with and provides oversight of third‑party vendors for Exhibit and Gallery related service/repair.
• Manages budget and forecast for exhibits needs under direction from leadership.
• Operates and maintains equipment including, but not limited to, scissor/bucket lifts, forklifts, etc.
• Collaborates with Manager of A/V Experience for all theatrical lighting and sound equipment.
• Works with leadership to develop strategic goals and plans to ensure up‑to‑date and state‑of‑the‑art facilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises team members in the Exhibits Department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree (B.A.) or equivalent from a four‑year college or technical school; at least 4 years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior experience working in the field of exhibits, Science Centers, museums, custom fabrication, or a related field is preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, blueprints/building drawings, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from visitors, clients, and partners.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of visitors, clients, and partners, or employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to work with basic to moderate mathematical concepts such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing in all units of measure, using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, statistics, percentages, ratios, proportions, and graph development and analysis.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

CLEAN DRIVING RECORD

• Ability to drive fleet or rented vehicles for work purposes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Safely operate equipment carts, pallet jacks, forklift, and scissor lifts.
• This job also requires the use of a computer which will be placed somewhere in the employee’s workspace. The employee must have the necessary keyboard and computer mouse skills as well as the ability to read a color monitor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and can be affected by the running of equipment.
• Work is sometimes performed at height.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and risk of electrical shock.
• Work can occasionally take place in outdoor conditions.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Able to work efficiently without direct supervision.
• Proactive in problem‑solving.
• Ability to use a variety of hand and power tools.
• Detail‑oriented.
• Organized.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Willingness to work unusual work hours (holidays, evenings, and weekends) and flexibility to be on call for issues that arise outside of normal business hours.
• Proficiency beyond basic computer skills must be demonstrated.
• Familiarity with CAD, SketchUp, and other design software desired.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Work is performed indoors and outdoors as needed.

BENEFITS

• 21 paid days off annually, including holidays, birthdays, and vacation days.
• 10 days of accrued sick time.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• Life and Long Term Disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Professional Development Opportunities.
• Family membership to Arizona Science Center and 600+ Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC).
• Admission Exchange Program – Year‑round complimentary admission for the employee and one guest to visit the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Arizona Museum of Natural History, etc.