Senior Director of Exhibition Management

Company: Philadelphia Museum of Art
Location: Philadelphia
Posted on: February 16, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. 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. The Senior Director of Exhibition Management is the museum’s engine for exhibition delivery, connecting creative vision with operational excellence to produce destination-worthy exhibitions and installations across all PMA sites and to lead the long-term, phased rehang of the collection. You turn ideas into visitor-ready experiences by keeping calendars, budgets, contracts, and teams in sync; guiding projects from first brief to opening and deinstall; managing the exhibition planning and design teams; and partnering closely with Curatorial, Registration, Collections, Learning & Engagement, Marketing, and Advancement. You champion accessibility, sustainability, and the visitor experience while keeping scope, schedule, and budget on track. Specifically, you will: 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. Process Review Mandate Lead a top?to?bottom review of exhibition planning processes and approvals across PMA, including governance touchpoints for the Museum Director and Deputy Director; deliver an implementation plan with timelines. Sustainability and Responsible Practice With stakeholders, create a practical sustainability framework (materials, fabrication, packing, shipping, energy, and waste). Consider Bizot Group and GCC best practices and sector tools for measurement and reduction. Work Rules and Compliance Plan installs with HR and Legal in line with union agreements and jurisdictional rules; coordinate night/weekend windows with Installations & Packing, Facilities, Security, and Visitor Experience. Your background and experience include: 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. Success Measures (first 12–18 months) A draft gallery master plan and rehang roadmap with clear phasing, budgets, and risk mitigations. Delivery of at least one pilot rehang/cluster with visitor and accessibility evaluation and documented adjustments. On?time delivery to the published calendar; budget variance stays within agreed tolerance. Exhibition Steering Group led by the Director, and decision checkpoints are in place and used; change control applied for variances beyond tolerance. A portfolio dashboard is used regularly for evidence?based decisions. In partnership with Advancement, secured support for priority exhibitions and rehang phases, with on?time fundraising assets (case for support, budgets, schedules) and fulfilled recognition/stewardship commitments. Traveling exhibitions reach ~30% of the program with clear net financial and audience outcomes. A top?to?bottom process review is completed with an approved implementation plan and early wins delivered. A sustainability framework is adopted and pilot reductions are underway, informed by Bizot Group and GCC/ICOM guidance. Position and Compensation Details The salary for this position is $185,000. This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week. This position reports to Deputy director of Curatorial Affairs and Conservation This position is required to be performed fully onsite at 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 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. Institutional Requirements Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums. Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest. Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences. Maintains confidentiality. Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies. Application Timeline 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. What We Offer Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to: 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 We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including: 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 *Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure. Powered by JazzHR DYmtE2CDyn

Keywords: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Hackensack , Senior Director of Exhibition Management, Design, Graphic Design & CAD , Philadelphia, New Jersey