Short Description
The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) actively seeks to employ a diverse group of individuals who embody its organizational values. The museum welcomes and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, particularly those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by its shared purpose and enjoy collaborative work.
The PMA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
The Role Overview
The Senior Director of Exhibition Management serves as the museum’s engine for exhibition delivery, connecting creative vision with operational excellence. This leader is responsible for producing destination-worthy exhibitions and installations across all PMA sites and for leading the long-term, phased rehang of the collection.
The Director turns ideas into visitor-ready experiences by managing calendars, budgets, contracts, and teams. This role guides projects from the initial brief through to opening and deinstallation, oversees the exhibition planning and design teams, and partners closely with departments such as Curatorial, Registration, Collections, Learning & Engagement, Marketing, and Advancement. A key responsibility is championing accessibility, sustainability, and the visitor experience while ensuring scope, schedule, and budget remain on track.
- The salary for this position is $185,000.
- This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week.
- This position reports to the Deputy director of Curatorial Affairs and Conservation
- This position is required to be performed fully onsite at the Philadelphia Museum of Art locations.
- Physical requirements:
- Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically demanding administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
- Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
Position & Tasks
Planning Leadership
- Manage the departments of Exhibition Planning and Exhibition Design.
- Guide each project from kickoff to opening and deinstall, with check-ins at concept, schematic, design development, prefabrication, and pre‑installation.
- Set clear deliverables and roles using a RACI (Responsible‑Accountable‑Consulted‑Informed) chart; keep risk and change logs; manage vendors.
- Use clear, consistent processes that reflect museum and exhibitions‑industry best practices.
Calendar, Scheduling, and Resources
- Maintain a single, accurate master calendar and room schedule; build in phased rehang closures/openings, facilities shutdowns, venue rentals, and capital work.
Portfolio and Strategy
- Maintain a multi‑year exhibition plan and a rolling 24‑month schedule.
- Track and report on schedule, budget variance, risks, install durations, and touring revenue.
Financial Stewardship
- Develop detailed exhibition budgets and forward‑looking financial models (“pro formas” include direct costs, object logistics, people and operations, marketing and programs, offsets/revenue, scenarios, and contingency & risk); in partnership with the Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and Finance, track commitments, accruals, income, and rolling forecasts.
Advancement Partnership
- Provide Advancement with exhibition and rehang overviews and timely budgets, schedules, visuals, and narratives to support fundraising (sponsorships, grants, gifts, memberships) and Advancement‑led donor conversations.
- Co‑develop cases for support and recognition/stewardship plans with Advancement; coordinate cultivation events, previews, and behind‑the‑scenes access aligned to project milestones.
Contracts, Legal, and Risk
- With Legal and Registration, negotiate and manage loan, touring, fabrication, insurance, rights, and vendor agreements.
- Lead risk planning for safety, couriers, vendor performance, and events beyond our control (e.g., severe weather, government orders, or other emergencies).
Design Oversight (through Head of Exhibition Design)
- Ensure the design team has the people, time, and resources to deliver spatial concepts, layouts, lighting, graphics, mockups, and fabrication quality control (QC).
- Ensure Design and Marketing collaborate so visuals, messaging, and timelines align with institutional needs.
- Review changes to approved plans for budget impact, team workloads, and potential scope creep before sign‑off.
Publications and Content
- Coordinate catalogue and digital timelines with Editorial & Publishing so they land with exhibition and rehang schedules.
Traveling Exhibitions and Partnerships
- Build and maintain partner and venue relationships; negotiate schedules, fees, and deliverables. Aim for ~30% of the program to travel and measure outcomes.
Operating Rhythm and Governance
- Establish and lead a cross‑departmental Exhibition Steering Group (with a Rehang Working Group) to sequence the portfolio, monitor milestones, and make go/no‑go decisions.
- Conduct weekly production and stakeholder meetings to make decisions and clear blockers.
- Run a Change‑Control Board with the Museum Director and Deputy Director for scope, schedule, and budget changes beyond agreed tolerances.
Systems, Tools, and Data
- Use Asana and other software; propose improvements with IT, and keep shared data structures consistent across teams.
People Leadership
- Set goals and development plans for the Heads of Exhibition Planning and Design and their teams; coach managers and build bench strength.
- Manage staffing across FTEs, fellows, contractors, and temps; current baseline is 6 FTEs plus contractors.
Who Can Apply?
- At least 10 years of senior‑level experience in exhibition planning/project management, including 5+ years managing managers.
- A record of delivering a high‑volume, multi‑site program with complex logistics and multi‑million‑dollar budgets.
- Strong skills in critical‑path scheduling, resource loading, risk management, contracting, and vendor oversight.
- Able to read drawings and shop documents and partner closely with creative leads.
- Proven collaboration with Curatorial, Conservation, Collections (Registration; Installations & Packing), Facilities, Security, Editorial/Publishing, Learning & Engagement, Marketing/Comms, and Advancement.
- Familiar with AAM standards for mission and planning and with accessible‑exhibition guidance.
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in arts administration, museum studies, architecture/design management, or related field preferred; PMP or similar credential a plus.
- All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits
- Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
- Discounted guest tickets for admission
- Discounts on gift memberships
- Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
- Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
- Health savings or flexible spending account program
- Retirement savings program with museum match
- Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays
Entry Fee
None
Location
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Timeline
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.
Website Link: https://philamuseum.applytojob.com/apply/DYmtE2CDyn/Senior-Director-Of-Exhibition-Management
