Strategic Leader, Exhibitions & Education

University of Texas at Austin; United States; On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin seeks an Associate Director for Exhibitions & Education to provide strategic leadership for its exhibitions program and related educational activities. This role oversees a portfolio of interpretive initiatives including exhibitions, public programs, and fellowships, aligning them with institutional priorities.

Reporting to the Director, you will coordinate with senior leaders and department heads to implement multi-year exhibition

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in one of the Ransom Center’s areas of collection strength (e.g., literature, theatre, film, photography, or art).
• At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in library or museum education and exhibitions.
• Experience leading major cross-departmental initiatives, institutional programs, exhibitions, or other complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and areas of expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively across departments and areas of expertise.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff and supporting teams through organizational or programmatic change.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with faculty, scholars, students, community partners, cultural organizations, and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage the Center’s rotating exhibitions (2 to 4 per year), and oversee a national and international program of collection loans to peer research libraries and museums.
• Develop an engaging series of readings, lectures, and other program offerings that amplify exhibition themes or engage public audiences with the Center’s collections.
• Offer rich engagement opportunities for all ages of learners in collaboration with relevant teams.
• Provide instructional opportunities for UT undergraduate and graduate students.
• Manage a campus-focused works-in-progress series, the Flair Symposium, and other symposia.
• Coordinate around exhibition opening member events and scheduling of membership events annually.
• Supervise and mentor department program leaders, guiding goals and project management.
• Foster a collaborative culture within and across the Exhibitions & Education Department.
• Work with curatorial, collections, conservation, Reading Room, and operations teams to support access and engagement.
• Partner with communications and development to promote programs and sponsorships.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Public engagement

Budget management

Education

Master’s degree or higher in literature/theatre/film/photography/art

Job description

The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin seeks an Associate Director for Exhibitions & Education to provide strategic leadership for its exhibitions program and related educational activities. This role oversees a portfolio of interpretive initiatives including exhibitions, public programs, and fellowships, aligning them with institutional priorities.

Reporting to the Director, you will coordinate with senior leaders and department heads to implement multi-year exhibition