Director of Exhibitions

Interested applicants should apply by clicking here. 

Summary: The Director of Exhibitions oversees all aspects of the museum’s robust and dynamic exhibitions program to achieve exhibitions of high quality, importance, and impact. This position manages the complex logistics of multiple simultaneous exhibition projects, supervises the work of all exhibition team members, and applies knowledge of exhibition coordination and project management to the planning and execution of concurrent projects. Key success factors include the ability to create effective processes that facilitate collaboration and foster information sharing across museum departments; and support the success of the program through disciplined budget development, oversight, and systematic planning. All duties will be approached in a manner consistent with the Museum’s commitment to inclusivity, collaboration and community engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Exhibition Administration:

• The Director of Exhibitions leads the oversight, planning, administration, and execution of the museum’s exhibition program and oversees the successful implementation of its disparate components
• In close collaboration with curatorial staff and museum stakeholders, and in alignment with the Assistant Director for Exhibitions and Collections and the Director’s Office, the Director of Exhibition guides the exhibition program’s short- and long-term strategic initiatives;
• Oversees the development, implementation, and refinement of cross-departmental processes and procedures for the planning of exhibitions; and directs the assessment and coordination of the museum’s traveling exhibition strategy.
• Reviews all legal contracts and letters of agreement for approved exhibitions, and assures implementation and compliance with the terms and conditions of all contracts/agreements including shared costs, image use, marketing materials, and exhibition credit lines
• Oversees the Exhibition Dashboard containing information on past projects and works to develop new data-driven approaches for measuring deliverables and communicating progress
• Ensures that the staff is kept updated on the Museum’s exhibition program and that information on current and upcoming exhibitions is disseminated and easily accessed
• Represents the Museum by attending regular meetings of US based and International exhibition organizations
• Manages relationships with and serves as primary liaison with confirmed partners and venues

Project Management:

• Oversees the project development process for exhibition production from the initial proposal through planning, installation, and completion, including coordination of cross-departmental responsibilities
• Maintains the definitive Museum schedule for exhibitions, soliciting buy-in from cross-functional teams and ensuring it aligns with institutional strategies and priorities
• Ensures that project schedules are created and regularly updated for each exhibition, that milestones are identified and tracked, and that any issues that may arise are addressed to avoid impact on project timeline and budget
• Sees that regular project-specific meetings are held with stakeholders to review status, share information and track status of milestones
• Works with the curatorial staff on checklist development ensuring that the exhibition remains within the approved project budget and scope
• Facilitates the loan request process including coordinating with Registration and Curatorial so that loan letters and forms are sent out in a timely manner
• Oversee the application process for U.S. Government Indemnity and Immunity from Seizure insuring that all information is complete and accurate, delivered on time and that all requirements are met

Budgets and Procurement:

• Implement a transparent and disciplined approach to budgeting for exhibition planning by developing detailed operational budgets, ensuring and communicating the business case and cost-benefit analysis for all projects;
• Oversees budgetary management of the exhibitions program, tracking of expenses and ensures overall adherence to the approved annual budget. Works closely with curatorial and development colleagues and internal stakeholders to create initial budget and scope proposals, presents to leadership for approval, and facilitates modifications as needed. Works with stakeholder departments to re-forecast expense projections as needed.
• Reports regularly on all aspects of exhibition budget and planning to the senior leadership team; guarantees that pertinent information is shared and deadlines are respected.
• Completes monthly variance reports on exhibition project budgets to ensure that projects stay on track and any overages are covered; also generates reports on trends in exhibition expenditures to inform future budgeting practices
• Oversee the departmental budgets: track and approve all departmental expenditures, resolve variances, and see that staff follow all established purchasing guidelines
• Ensure that a record of shared costs for partnership exhibitions is maintained and that costs are reconciled at appropriate stages of each project; see that partners are invoiced accordingly
• Manage the payment schedule for all exhibition fees as required by contract
• Oversee procurement process for artist’s fabrication or other services as needed
• Oversees VIP and artist travel arrangements associated with exhibitions

Department Head Responsibilities:

• Serves as department head and participates in institutional long-range planning and goal setting process
• Sets departmental requirements/procedures and other department-related matters
• Represents the Exhibitions Department on institutional teams as assigned
• Supervises departmental staff and the assignment of tasks/responsibilities
• Approves employment related activities within the department (including timesheets, PTO/sick time, performance evaluations, hiring and disciplinary actions)

Qualifications: Master's degree in Art History, Fine Arts, Arts Management or related specialty; or equivalent related experience in exhibition and program planning and implementation. Extensive knowledge of fundamental exhibition concepts, practices, policies, and procedures. Five or more years of supervisory and/or project/process management experience; a minimum of five years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities of this position. Knowledge of current and emerging trends in museums and professional standards. Financial fluency and experience with detailed budget creation, oversight, and reporting. Excellent writing skills. Preferred: A broad network of national and international peers and other museum colleagues. Extensive experience with international projects and partners.

Application Deadline: August 15, 2022
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter for consideration.

Additional Details: 

COVID-19 Requirement: Must be fully vaccinated and boosted to qualify for on-site interview and/or offer of employment

Minimum of Range: $75,903/annually

Status: Regular full-time, Benefits eligible on first day of employment.

The Saint Louis Art Museum is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from candidates of color.

The Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience, without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.