Manager of Exhibition Production

Virginia Museum of History & Culture; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture seeks a Manager of Exhibition Production who will serve as project manager for all in-house and traveling exhibitions. You will supervise the Exhibition Preparator and Technician and collaborate with curators, conservators, and operations staff to plan and direct installations that engage diverse audiences.

Responsibilities include creating production schedules, managing budgets, bidding for services, supervising contractors, and coordinating exhibition

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in arts management, museum studies, or related field.
• 5+ years managing or producing museum exhibitions with supervisory experience.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate cross-disciplinary teams.
• Experience with budgets, bids, and outside services.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Exhibition Preparator and Technician in installation and deinstallation of exhibitions.
• Develop and manage detailed production schedules for each exhibition.
• Propose, manage budgets, and secure bids for services.
• Supervise freelancers including designers, fabricators, and installers.
• Oversee construction and installation activities for exhibitions.
• Help develop in-house and traveling exhibition calendars.
• Negotiate contracts and manage materials and vendor relations.
• Oversee travelling exhibition program and related logistics.
• Participate in maintaining, installing, and deinstalling exhibitions and graphics.
• Collaborate with staff to enhance visitor experience and accessibility.
• Assist in staff hiring and supervision for exhibit production teams.
• Organize exhibition assets and archive final documentation.

Skills

Blueprints & elevations

Project management

Vendor relations

Team supervision

Budgeting

Exhibition installation

Tool familiarity (Monday.com, Trello,

Education

Bachelor’s degree in arts management or museum studies

Tools

Monday.com

Trello

Asana

Job description

Position Description

Updated November 6, 2026

Title

Manager of Exhibition Production

Division

Collections, Exhibitions & Research

Reports to

Sr. Director of Curatorial Affairs

Position Status

Full-time; Exempt

Salary Range/Pay Rate

$65,000 - $70,000/year

Whether igniting a passion for the study of the past, empowering an interest in civic engagement, or providing an introduction to the Commonwealth, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture offers meaningful experiences for all. Whatever the role, your work here helps bring Virginia's story-past, present, and future-to life.

If you are curious, creative, and passionate about preserving and sharing Virginia history, your next chapter starts now!

Position Summary

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) seeks a qualified candidate for the position of Manager of Exhibition Production, who has an authentic interest in the mission and work of the VMHC. The Manager of Exhibition Production serves as project manager for, and actively participates in, all aspects of the preparation and installation of the VMHC's in-house and traveling exhibitions. This position directly supervises the Exhibition Preparator and Exhibition Technician and works with a cross-divisional team of curators, collections managers, conservators, and operations staff to plan and direct the installation of exhibitions that engage diverse audiences in dialogue and the exploration of relevant issues and ideas, and that help VMHC realize its mission and business goals.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Supervise the work of the Exhibition Preparator and Exhibition Technician in the preparation, installation, and deinstallation of the VMHC's long-term, changing, and special exhibitions.
• Create, circulate, and implement detailed production schedules for each exhibition and communicate with key VMHC staff involved in producing exhibitions.
• Propose and manage exhibition production budgets and secure bids for outside services.
• Supervise freelance contractors including graphic designers, fabricators and installers.
• Supervise and participate in all construction necessary for the installation of exhibitions.
• Serve on the team that develops the VMHC's in-house and traveling exhibition calendar.
• Negotiate, purchase and manage materials and supplies; develop and cultivate vendor relationships.
• Oversee the VMHC's traveling exhibition program.
• Participate as needed in all aspects of the maintenance, installation, and deinstallation of museum exhibitions including packing and unpacking exhibition materials and artifacts; installing and de-installing 2D and 3D artifacts; and installing exhibition graphics, signage, and labels.
• Work with exhibit team and other staff to maintain, redesign, or enhance existing exhibitions to improve visitor experience.
• Proactively identify challenges within project execution and provide creative options to reach agreed-upon solutions.
• Participate in the hiring and supervision of staff and contractors engaged in exhibit production and maintenance.
• Organize the assets associated with each exhibition project and provide final documentation to the VMHC archives.
• Assist in reviewing and negotiating exhibition contracts.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Necessary

• Broad knowledge of current trends in museum development, design, display, techniques and equipment.
• Ability to read, interpret, and work from architectural blueprints, scale drawings, and construction elevations.
• Knowledge of professional practices in the handling and installation, and preventative conservation of historic objects and artwork.
• Knowledge of the applications and ability to work with different types of materials used in exhibition production (wood, composites, plastics, metal).
• Knowledge of project management software such as Monday.com, Trello, or Asana, to track project timelines, task dependencies, and progress.
• Ability to analyze exhibition tasks to estimate time and materials necessary to complete projects.
• Ability to coordinate the activities of multiple, simultaneous projects to conclude all work within scheduled projects' completion dates.
• Ability to operate shop, hand, and power tools including band saws, table saws, and drill presses.
• Knowledge of safe rigging, hoisting, and gantry operation techniques for moving heavy, oversized, or complex artifacts.
• Ability to supervise and train employees, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Capability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and perform strenuous physical labor for extended periods.
• Driver's license in good standing.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in arts management, studio art, museum studies, or equivalent work experience required
• Five (5) years of demonstrated experience either managing or producing museum exhibitions, including supervisory experience

Notes & Special Requirements

• This position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and climbing ladders or scaffolding. Must be comfortable working overhead and carrying heavy materials through tight spaces.
• Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings, early mornings, or weekends, to accommodate tight installation deadlines and exhibition openings.
• Medical, leave, wellness and retirement benefits offered in accordance with company policy.

Founded in 1831 as the Virginia Historical Society, the VMHC, a private, non-profit organization, is the oldest museum and cultural organization in Virginia, and one of the oldest and most distinguished history organizations in the United States. The museum cares for a renowned collection of more than nine million items representing the far-reaching story of Virginia.

The Virginia Historical Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary: $65000 - $70000 per year