The Role   
The Head of Exhibitions for Liberty Science Center (LSC) provides strategic and operational leadership for the creative design, development, and maintenance of exhibitions, experiences, and environments relevant to LSC’s diverse audiences and in support of LSC’s mission and goals. The role oversees multiple teams: Exhibition Development & Design, Exhibition Operations & Maintenance, and Animal Husbandry. In addition, the Head of Exhibitions oversees the management of Liberty Science Center’s featured traveling exhibitions program.  

The Head of Exhibitions reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is a key member of the Senior Leadership team.

What You’ll Bring
You are an eager consumer and seeker of all things related to the intersection of design, science, technology, art, and culture. A creative storyteller deeply interested in people as end-users, you are a high-performing individual who can navigate and manage multiple projects and dive into complex problems and challenges to find innovative solutions and opportunities. You are passionate about leading multidisciplinary, collaborative teams to create and deliver interactive, memorable, inquiry-driven experiences that bring joy and meaning to diverse audiences.  You embody competence, generosity of spirit, humor, grit, and humility.  

What You'll Do
Below is a list of the essential functions that this role should expect to perform with or without reasonable accommodations.

Culture

1. Provide leadership to the Exhibitions teams
2. Foster a team culture of creativity, inclusivity, mutual respect, accountability, and high performance while also maintaining a safety-first culture
3. Solicit, digest, and provide feedback and expertise
4. Ensure productive cross-department working relationships and coordination
5. Oversee management of subcontractors, ensuring consistency and adherence to project parameters
6. Work with LSC’s People & Culture team to attract and retain skilled and diverse employees and address any performance-related concerns

Exhibitions

1. Develop and execute a strategic and tactical plan for renewing current galleries and future projects, with the goal of sustainability in design, operations, and maintenance
2. Oversee the research, prototyping, and development of concepts that embody LSC’s experience, content, and design philosophy and result in a compelling, inclusive, and identifiable product unique to LSC
3. Oversee multidisciplinary teams from initial concept and narrative development, through a phased design development process, to the oversight of fabrication and final installation; facilitate a dynamic exchange and collaboration across departments and divisions, and between external partners, contractors, and vendors
4. Oversee the exhibition maintenance functions, operations, and processes to ensure exhibitions are fully operational, cleaned, and well-maintained
5. Ensure safety protocols and training processes are in place and followed for all teams
6. Collaborate and coordinate across divisions to ensure exhibitions are integrated with building systems and operational procedures, and support public outreach, educational programming, and fundraising goals

Budget & Project Management

1. Implement and execute project management practices that ensure the successful completion of projects on time, on budget, and within scope
2. Create and manage department and capital project budgets and timelines, and maintain accurate records
3. Draft and administer RFQ and RFP processes
4. Negotiate and contract with traveling exhibition providers, external firms, outside freelance designers, photographers, illustrators, researchers, writers, and design, media, lighting, engineering, and architectural firms and consultants
5. Approve and monitor project and department invoicing and payments in coordination with the Finance team

Across Departmental Functions

1. Supervise, mentor, and develop a staff of full-time and part-time designers, exhibition developers, animal husbandry specialists, exhibition techs, vendors, and consultants
2. Create and implement an integrated work plan and processes for each department
3. Maintain a digital and physical project archive of design, administrative records, and material samples
4. Oversee the Exhibition Development and Design team to ensure exhibition projects meet LSC’s goals for experience
5. Oversee the Exhibitions Maintenance team to ensure LSC’s exhibitions are fully operational, cleaned, and well-maintained
6. Oversee the Animal Husbandry team that manages the ongoing care of our animal exhibitions
7. Oversee the operation and maintenance of existing exhibitions with modifications and repairs to exhibit components and graphics
8. Participate as a Senior Leadership team member to actively and effectively collaborate across divisions to support LSC's mission, goals, and objectives
9. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Traveling Exhibitions & Special Projects

1. Oversee the contracting, budget, installation, and strike of featured traveling exhibitions
2. Liaise with LSC staff, external contractors, and venues
3. Serve on the committee to research and select traveling exhibitions for LSC
4. Ensure the delivery of CEO-assigned special projects

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs)

1. Extensive knowledge of exhibition planning, interpretation, design, visitor evaluation practices, and current principles, practices, trends, and innovations in new media, the museum field, and related disciplines
2. Understanding the principles and processes of architectural and industrial design, experiential graphic design, interactive media design, sound and lighting design, mechanical interactive design, interior design, exhibition fabrication, sustainable green materials and methods, and building systems integration
3. Experience in developing and implementing state-of-the-art experiential media is a strong plus
4. Demonstrated leadership skills; a strategic thinker and a strong, emotionally intelligent manager
5. Experience developing and defining scopes of work and estimating costs for complex projects
6. Effectively communicate orally and in writing appropriate for a range of audiences, and diverse formats; a skillful presenter and storyteller
7. Strong understanding of exhibition operations and maintenance practices
8. A background in museum collection registration, care, handling, transportation, and display a strong plus
9. Experience with project and budget management processes and software
10. Understanding of standard design software and hardware tools. Technical proficiency with MS Office Software, Google Docs, and project management software
11. Accurately read and interpret architectural and other technical design drawings and documentation
12. Facilitator and motivator of others in new practices and ways of working to support a culture of innovation and collaboration
13. Foster an atmosphere of ongoing learning, creativity, empathy, humor, and trust

Preferred Qualifications

1. 7+ years of experience at a supervisor level, including management of staff, budgetary oversight, and collaboration with departments and multidisciplinary project teams
2. 10+ years of expertise in exhibition development (both onsite and traveling), exhibition planning, management, and operations 
3. Bachelor's degree required. Masters or higher a plus
4. A deep network in the museum and informal education fields
5. Track record of successfully leading compelling, engaging, and innovative design (both digital and physical) that is centered on the visitor experience
6. Experience organizing and managing multiple, complex initiatives through periods of growth and change

Supervisory Responsibilities 
This role supervises the following direct reports: the Sr. Director of Exhibitions, the Sr. Director of Exhibition Development and Design, the Sr. Experiential Graphic Designer, and the Director of Animal Husbandry.

Travel
This position travels occasionally to meet with vendors, consultants, and contractors, attend conferences, and view exhibitions at other institutions.

Classification, Location, & Schedule
The Head of Exhibitions is a full-time, exempt position that is eligible for full benefits and a discretionary bonus. The ideal candidate must be available to work onsite at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ, a minimum of 3+ days per week. Occasional early morning, weekends, or evening work hours may be necessary as business needs or special events may require.

Physical/Environmental Demands 
The position sits for long periods at a computer and must be comfortable using standard office equipment. Spending time navigating crowds on the museum floors will also be necessary, especially during exhibition installations and evaluation phases of a project to observe how visitors experience the Center. The position requires frequent visits to the museum floor, back of house and outdoor areas which require the ability to: walk on concrete floors and uneven ground; climb stairs; navigate construction zones; withstand exposure to a variety of materials and weather; and work in galleries with a high level of noise. Lastly, the Head of Exhibitions must feel comfortable speaking to a diverse audience while conducting exhibition tours.

LSC's Work Culture at a Glimpse
LSC prides itself on fostering a culture that enables all employees to experience a sense of pleasure, passion, and purpose while in the workplace. We believe in embracing and driving change, inspiring fun and learning, and creating a positive and family-friendly team spirit. Our differences as individuals (race, gender, age, cultural heritage, physical ability, education and lifestyle) are an asset and contribute to our ability to drive innovation. Lastly, at the heart of our work culture is the commitment to delivering a “wow factor” through our exceptional customer service to not only our guests but also one another.

Our Environment
Liberty Science Center is located in a beautiful waterfront state park in Jersey City, New Jersey. Not only is Jersey City easy to get to from any points in Northern NJ and Manhattan, but it also holds the title of the most diverse city in the United States. Employees have access to free parking, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, and the NJ Path train. In addition, all employees have access to an on-site café and  a terrace with stunning NYC views. In addition, you will have many opportunities to participate in interesting on-site events, programs, and exhibition openings.

Compensation & Benefits
Compensation for this position is commensurate with abilities, education, certifications, and experience but is expected to be in the range of $165,000-$180,000 annually. In addition to compensation for salary, you will be eligible for compensation in the form of generous benefits, including, but not limited to:

1. Medical, dental, life, vision, and pet insurance
2. 403(b) retirement plan with employer match in addition to a pension plan
3. 20 days of paid vacation to start with an additional 5 days when you reach your 4-year work anniversary plus 6 days of flexible PTO and 9 federal holidays annually
4. Long-term disability coverage
5. Flexible spending accounts
6. Commuter benefits
7. Free parking
8. 25% discount in on-site store
9. 15% discount in on-site cafeteria
10. LSC family membership

To Apply:
Please submit a resume and a personalized cover letter via LSC’s careers page. Attach your cover letter and resume as a single PDF file. Your cover letter should clearly outline how your background aligns with this particular role. Please note that applications without a cover letter may not be considered.
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Liberty Science Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and innovative environment with the best employees. We, therefore, provide employment opportunities without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service, marital status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. If there are preparations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please let us know.

• To find out more, visit lsc.org or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.