Program Manager, Exhibitions & Artistic Production

University of Notre Dame; Notre Dame (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Notre Dame’s Arts Initiative seeks a Program Manager of Exhibitions & Artistic Production to lead cross‑functional projects spanning research, student engagement, and community partnerships. Reporting to the Managing Director, you will oversee exhibition planning, installation, and live events while navigating a startup atmosphere within a large university.

Ideal candidates bring at least 3 years in artistic production or festival settings, a strong portfolio, and proficiency

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree (4 years), preferably in an arts, humanities, or related discipline.
• A deep commitment to the mission of the Arts Initiative and the University.
• A desire to support the flourishing of South Bend and the region through the arts.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in artistic curation, gallery, stage, or production management, and/or event planning, preferably in festival or multi-site settings.
• A portfolio demonstrating a proven track record of excellence in gallery management, stage or production management, or other artistic producing, ideally with visual documentation of final installation or live artistic performance as well as process documentation
• Exceptional project and relationship management skillswith the ability to juggle competing priorities and meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and collaboration
• Self-directed, team player with the ability to take initiative and work autonomously as part of a small team while effectively navigating a large University environment
• Analytical problem-solving and strategic thinking skills with the ability to juggle competing priorities and meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy and consistency
• Comfortable navigating the ambiguity that comes with a startup project and a willingness to take on additional responsibilities as the initiative expands.
• Ability to handle sensitive or confidential information with discretion
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace
• Ability to learn Notre Dame’s software systems, and Asana
• Willingness to work occasional nights and weekends based on event schedules

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the managing director and Arts Initiative staff to plan, implement, and adequately staff an annual program of exhibitions, productions, and special events.
• Serve as a central cross-departmental and external liaison between internal teams, external artists, and vendors collaborating on artistic production led or supported by the initiative, with particular emphasis on the Notre Dame Arts Biennial.
• Build and maintain production schedules, budgets, and project workflows that translate large projects into actionable steps.
• Lead the design, installation, and deinstallation processes for each exhibition in the Arts Initiative’s gallery spaces and in select off-site locations as special projects arise.
• Source, onboard, and direct external vendors such as production and rental companies, technicians, designers, printers, and fabricators.
• Deliver operational excellence in the cross-functional area of finance as it relates to project implementation. Track and manage project budgets and ensure work stays within allocated financial limits. Prepare expense reports and process contracts, purchase orders, invoices, and other payments. Ensure accurate documentation and reconciliation of all financial records.
• Mentor student fellows and/or student workers to support exhibition, production, and event planning and implementation.

Skills

Project management

Relationship management

Cross-functional collaboration

Budgeting

Event production

Public programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in arts, humanities, or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Asana

Job description

Program Manager, Exhibitions & Artistic Production

• Full-time
• Job Subfamily: Program Delivery & Support - AA030
• Unit: Arts Initiative - 28017
• Job Family: Academic Aff

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace! We are a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!

The Arts Initiative, one of the key priorities of Notre Dame’s Strategic Framework, brings together the people and programs of the University’s extended arts community to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and define the arts as vital to campus and community life. By transcending conventional boundaries — between art forms and across disciplines — the initiative mobilizes the transformative power of the arts to advance knowledge, invigorate learning, and foster human solidarity.

Arts research and creative practice, student engagement, and high-impact public programming are at the heart of the initiative’s efforts to establish Notre Dame as a premier destination to study, practice, and experience the arts. By supporting and enhancing university and partner arts programming – from exhibitions to performances to symposia – the initiative sustains welcoming and intellectually rich environments for artistic collaboration and exchange both on and off-campus.

The Arts Initiative is actively building a collaborative and cross-functional team where each staff member mobilizes specialized expertise to lead projects but also works broadly with diverse academic departments, administrative units, and external collaborators. The Program Manager of Exhibitions & Artistic Production is a critical member of the initiative’s small, highly motivated team and will manage complex, cross-functional projects and programs across all three priority areas of the initiative: research and creative practice; student engagement; and community partnerships.

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Program Manager of Exhibitions & Artistic Production will bring specialized expertise in artistic production management such as exhibition planning and installation, gallery management, and/or musical, theatrical, immersive, or other live event production. This position will also play a pivotal role in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Notre Dame Arts Biennial, a six-month collaborative festival grounded in the visual, performing, spatial, and literary arts. The inaugural biennial will run from January-June 2027.

This position is ideal for someone with industry experience in the visual and/or performing arts who is looking for opportunities to work on innovative projects that span disciplines while directly shaping the next generation of creative leaders. The successful candidate will be prepared to navigate a startup environment within an established institution and will be motivated by ambitious endeavors that require both compassionate collaboration and energetic innovation.

Gallery, Production, and Event Management

• Collaborate with the managing director and other Arts Initiative staff to plan, implement, and adequately staff an annual program of exhibitions, productions, and special events. Includes coordinating exhibition openings, artist talks, performances, special screenings, or associated public programming.
• Serve as a central cross-departmental and external liaison between internal teams, external artists, and vendors collaborating on artistic production led or supported by the initiative, with particular emphasis on the Notre Dame Arts Biennial.
• Build and maintain production schedules, budgets, and project workflows that translate large projects into actionable steps.
• Lead the design, installation, and deinstallation processes for each exhibition in the Arts Initiative’s gallery spaces and in select off-site locations as special projects arise. May include a combination of hands-on install/deinstall as well as hiring and managing additional art preparators and art handlers.
• Source, onboard, and direct external vendors such as production and rental companies, technicians, designers, printers, and fabricators.
• Deliver operational excellence in the cross-functional area of finance as it relates to project implementation. Track and manage project budgets and ensure work stays within allocated financial limits. Prepare expense reports and process contracts, purchase orders, invoices, and other payments. Ensure accurate documentation and reconciliation of all financial records.
• Mentor student fellows and/or student workers to support exhibition, production, and event planning and implementation.

Facilities Management

• Manage current and future Arts Initiative spaces. Current spaces include an office suite and on-campus galleries used for visual arts exhibitions, screenings, performances, and other arts activities
• Ensure facilities and equipment are well maintained. Includes duties such as patching and painting; placing work orders for construction, maintenance, or furnishings; and overseeing regular inspections and escalating issues as needed.
• Develop, maintain, and oversee a comprehensive space use process and inventory system to track and manage safe space and equipment usage across multiple departments.

Cross-functional Leadership and Administrative Support

• Actively align project goals and mediate competing priorities while building systems that support partnerships across and beyond campus.
• Serve as an administrative point of contact between the initiative and its campus and presenting constituents.
• Positively influence a culture of collaboration by modeling cross-functional leadership, building and sharing best practices through participation in peer networks across the university, and supporting other project-based work, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree (4 years), preferably in an arts, humanities, or other related discipline
• A deep commitment to the mission of both the Arts Initiative and the University
• A desire to support the flourishing of South Bend and the region through the arts
• At least 3 years of professional experience in artistic curation, gallery, stage, or production management, and/or event planning, preferably in festival or multi-site settings
• A portfolio demonstrating a proven track record of excellence in gallery management, stage or other production management, or other artistic producing, preferably with visual documentation of final installation or live artistic performance as well as process documentation
• Exceptional project and relationship management skillswith the ability to juggle competing priorities and meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and collaboration
• Self-directed, team player with the ability to take initiative and work autonomously as part of a small team while effectively navigating a large University environment
• Analytical problem-solving and strategic thinking skills with the ability to juggle competing priorities and meet deadlines while maintaining accuracy and consistency
• Comfortable navigating the ambiguity that comes with a startup project and a willingness to take on additional responsibilities as the initiative expands.
• Ability to handle sensitive or confidential information with discretion
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace
• Ability to learn Notre Dame’s software systems, policies, and procedures (GLez, BuyND, etc.) as well as Asana, an online project management system
• Willingness to work occasional nights and weekends based on event schedules

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in relevant creative field (such as theatrical design; stage and production management; artistic producing; curatorial practice; or arts management)
• Technical proficiency with drafting and layout tools (such as Vectorworks, AutoCAD, or SketchUp)
• Technical proficiency in art handling standards

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

Required Documents: Resume, Cover Letter & Portfolio for full consideration of your application.

The portfolio should demonstrate a strong track record of excellence in gallery management, stage or production management, or other artistic production, ideally including visual examples of completed installations or live performances, along with documentation of the creative and production process.

Hiring Pay Range: $55,000-65,000 | commensurate with experience.

Please note: This is a limited-term position through June 30, 2029, with the possibility of extension.

The University ofNotreDameseeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover,NotreDameprohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a).Westronglyencourageapplicationsfrom candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.