Museum Exhibitions Management Section Head

Job Title: Museum Exhibitions Management Section Head

Reporting Line

Reports to: Collection & Exhibitions Department Director

Role Purpose

The Exhibitions Management Section Head is responsible for the end-to-end planning, coordination, and delivery of all exhibitions, including permanent, temporary, and touring shows. The role ensures that exhibitions are executed to the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency, aligning with the museum's curatorial vision, operational requirements, and international best practices.

Key Responsibilities

Exhibition Planning & Delivery

• Lead the planning, scheduling, and execution of all exhibitions using structured project management methodologies.
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocations for each exhibition.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including curatorial, collections, conservation, operations, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure timely delivery of exhibitions within approved scope, schedule, and budget.

Design & Production Management

• Oversee exhibition design development in collaboration with curators, designers, and external consultants.
• Manage technical production, fabrication, and installation processes to ensure high-quality execution.
• Supervise de-installation processes, ensuring safe handling and proper documentation of artworks and materials.
• Ensure all exhibition elements meet aesthetic, interpretive, and functional requirements.

Logistics & Installation

• Coordinate artwork movement, transportation, packing, and installation in collaboration with collection management teams.
• Oversee on-site installation activities, ensuring adherence to handling, conservation, and safety standards.
• Manage contractors, fabricators, and installation crews to ensure efficient execution.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, procedures, and international museum standards related to exhibition delivery and collection care.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to exhibition production, installation, and visitor safety.
• Enforce health, safety, and environmental (HSE) requirements across all exhibition activities.

Budget & Contract Management

• Develop and manage exhibition budgets, ensuring cost control and value optimization.
• Oversee procurement processes, including tendering, vendor selection, and contract management.
• Monitor contractor performance against agreed deliverables, timelines, and KPIs.

Stakeholder & Vendor Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal departments and external partners related to exhibitions.
• Liaise with lenders, artists, designers, and partner institutions for touring and loan exhibitions.
• Ensure clear communication and alignment across all stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including schedules, drawings, technical specifications, and reports.
• Provide regular progress updates, risk reports, and post-project evaluations.
• Contribute to institutional knowledge through documentation of best practices and lessons learned.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Museum Studies, Exhibition Design, Fine Arts, Architecture, Project Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in exhibition management within museums, galleries, or cultural institutions.
• Proven experience managing complex exhibitions from concept to completion.
• Strong knowledge of museum standards for art handling, conservation, and exhibition design.
• Experience with project management tools and methodologies (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2 is an advantage).

Skills & Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Technical understanding of exhibition design, fabrication, and installation.
• Excellent leadership and team coordination abilities.
• Strong problem-solving and risk management skills.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management.
• Budgeting and financial management capability.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety standards.