Manager, Exhibition Lighting

Cincinnati Museum Center; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 48,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Cincinnati Museum Center is seeking a Manager of Exhibition Lighting to oversee installation and maintenance of lighting for permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibitions, including external projects. You will collaborate with Senior Director and Director of Exhibition Design to plan and execute projects, ensuring safety and high-quality lighting across galleries.

The role requires strong knowledge of lighting equipment, hands-on electrical skills, and the ability to work with cross-functional

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in theater lighting, production, media production, or a related field. A 2-year degree plus work experience will be considered.
• Experience with exhibits, museums, or other arts production organizations.
• Experience with converting international power draws of 220VAC to 120VAC for components of traveling exhibitions.

Responsibilities

• Design and source equipment for new or updated galleries and in-case lighting for permanent exhibitions.
• Reviews exhibition plans and fabrication details with design and production teams to ensure the highest quality results.
• Lead the installation of lighting equipment in new or updated galleries.
• Oversee and maintain existing gallery and in-case lighting, including theatrical lighting control programs and hardware repairs.
• Maintain awareness of emerging trends in lighting equipment and techniques.
• Develop and maintain equipment replacement schedule for all galleries.
• Adjust gallery lighting for events and programs, as needed.
• Act as main point of contact for critical lighting concerns and troubleshooting.

Skills

Lighting design

Project coordination

Problem solving

Soldering

Low voltage DC

Forklift operation

Adobe

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in theater lighting

2-year degree + work experience accepted

Tools

CueServer

Xicato

LSI fixtures

Lutron

Job description

Cincinnati Museum Center
Reports to: Senior Director, Exhibition Services

Department: Exhibits
FSLA Status: FT/Exempt
Salary: 53,500, commensurate with experience

The statements below reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the major responsibilities of the identified position and are not to be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

Position Overview

The Manager, Exhibition Lighting, provides oversight related to the installation and maintenance of lighting equipment for permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibitions at Cincinnati Museum Center, as well as external exhibition projects. This position works directly with the Senior Director, Exhibition Services, and Director, Exhibition Design, to support the planning and execution of exhibition projects across the institution. This position requires a thorough knowledge of lighting equipment and operational systems, organizational expertise, a willingness to collaborate with team members across the institution, and the ability to engage with and contribute to a vision of excellence for CMC’s exhibition work. This position contributes to maintaining a safe environment for guests within the exhibition galleries.

Responsibilities and Duties

Permanent Exhibition Lighting Design and Maintenance

• Design and source equipment for new or updated galleries and in-case lighting for permanent exhibitions.
• Reviews exhibition plans and fabrication details with design and production teams to ensure the highest quality results.
• Lead the installation of lighting equipment in new or updated galleries.
• Oversee and maintain existing gallery and in-case lighting, including theatrical lighting control programs and hardware repairs.
• Maintain awareness of emerging trends in lighting equipment and techniques.
• Develop and maintain equipment replacement schedule for all galleries.
• Adjust gallery lighting for events and programs, as needed.
• Act as main point of contact for critical lighting concerns and troubleshooting.

Featured Exhibition and Contract Services, Lighting Design, and Maintenance

• Collaborate with traveling exhibition providers and internal teams to plan and prepare CMC galleries for the exhibition, including the installation of out-of-house lighting systems, hanging truss, and power distribution.
• Work with traveling exhibition providers and internal teams to facilitate the installation, deinstallation, and daily operation of lighting within temporary exhibition galleries.
• Work alongside Collections and Design teams regarding appropriate light levels for sensitive materials, theatrical components, and guest safety.
• Manage temporary gallery lighting system, including the implementation of software and hardware updates.
• Act as main point of contact for critical lighting concerns and troubleshooting.

Exhibition Production Services

• Assist with the fabrication, gallery preparation, load-in and out, installation, and deinstallation of exhibit components for permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibitions.
• Participates in the installation and deinstallation of traveling exhibits owned or managed by CMC at organizations located across the U.S.
• Works alongside internal teams on the ongoing maintenance of all exhibitions.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in theater lighting, production, media production, or a related field. A 2-year degree plus work experience will be considered.
• Experience working with exhibits, museums, or other arts production organizations.
• Experience with converting international power draws of 220VAC to 120VAC for components of traveling exhibitions from outside of North America.
• Experience with CueServer and Xicato lighting control systems, LSI fixtures, and building-wide control systems, such as Lutron, is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to take initiative, work both independently and collaboratively, and think creatively to problem solve.
• Strong understanding of lighting materials and techniques.
• Electrical skills, including soldering, working with and troubleshooting low voltage DC, LED lighting, 120VAC lighting, and wiring.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment with hard deadlines.
• Knowledge of common woodworking tools.
• Ability to work accurately from drawings and floorplans.
• Ability to safely operate a forklift and scissor lift.
• Proficiency in Adobe and Microsoft Office software.

Additional Requirements And Working Conditions

• Must be able to stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Must be able to perform work on a ladder or lift, work on equipment overhead, and crawl under display components to access equipment.
• Time is spent in an office setting as well as galleries during installation, deinstallation, and during open hours.
• The exhibit galleries contain areas of low and special effect lighting as well as ambient and interactive audio components and the workshop contains loud sounds of machinery and equipment as well as various tools. Outside weather conditions vary during the loading and unloading of exhibition trucks.

Cincinnati Museum Center and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breast feeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.