Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Interpretation

Reports to: Museum Deputy Director 

Department: Exhibitions & Interpretation 

Level: Department Director 

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time 

Benefits: Full Museum benefits 

Salary: Commensurate with experience 

Scope of the Position: 

Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Interpretation:

The Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Interpretation provides visionary leadership and strategic oversight for all aspects of the Museum’s collections management and exhibitions programs, driving excellence and ensuring alignment with institutional goals. The Director ensures projects are executed seamlessly, on time, within budget, and to the highest professional standards. 

Leading the Exhibitions, Design, and Interpretation teams, the Director manages exhibition coordination, design, multimedia development, interpretation, and editorial functions. They also oversee registration and daily management of the Museum’s collections, ensuring continuity and adherence to best practices in collections care and stewardship. As a member of the senior leadership team, the Director serves as a critical liaison, collaborating closely with Curatorial, Education, Experience, Finance, Operations, IT, Security, Development, and Events teams.

This role demands a dynamic leader capable of navigating complex projects, inspiring multidisciplinary teams, and upholding the Museum’s mission to preserve, interpret, and share its collections with excellence. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Oversee development of the long-range exhibitions program schedule, facilitating projects through review and approval processes and implementation: 

• Oversee development of the long-range exhibitions program schedule facilitating projects through the review and approval processes through implementation.  
• In collaboration with the Head of Exhibitions and Publications, oversee and collaborate with exhibitions employees in providing project management for exhibitions, gallery rotations, publications, and other special projects, including managing all calendars, production schedules, convening and chairing meetings, following up on deadlines, materials, and other project details to ensure on-time completion of projects that do not exceed budgets. 
• Responsible for final exhibition financial reconciliation with outside institutions and internal budget management needs. 
• Collaborate with Curatorial and Collections in lender negotiations, as necessary. 
• Responsible for all exhibition-related negotiations including proposals, contracts, exhibition fees, etc. and lead all communication regarding contractual commitments. 
• In collaboration with Exhibition Manager and Assistants, serve as primary liaison for exhibitions organized by other institutions regarding all information, materials, and approvals. 
• Responsible for final exhibition financial reconciliation with outside institutions. 
• Oversee applications for U. S. Indemnity, Immunity from Judicial Seizure, and CITES permits. 

Oversee the process and operations related to collection care, acquisitions, loans, and deaccessions: 

• In collaboration with the Chief Curatorial and Research Officer and the Senior Registrar for Acquisitions and Deaccessions, oversee the fine art acquisition process and management of the Collections Committee of Trustees. 
• In collaboration with the Head Preparator, establish best art handling practices, review IPM reports and implement adjustments as needed.  
• In collaboration with the Registrar for Loans and the Security and Operations department, oversee the management the enforcement of regulations by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). 
• Supervise administration of the Museum’s collection files; collaborates with Collection Information Manager on administration of The Museum System (TMS) and acquisition, collection, and loan establishing data tracking responsibilities. 
• Establish and monitor proper level of fine art insurance coverage for the collection, temporary exhibitions, and tours; oversee offsite and onsite storage needs. 

Oversee the process and operations related to Design and Interpretation: 

• In collaboration with Senior Manager of Interpretation, oversee the development and implementation of interpretive content related to the collection and special exhibitions. 
• In collaboration with the Head of Exhibition Design, oversee quality of exhibition and permanent collection gallery design, construction, and display; including both 2D and 3D design; establish design standards, priorities, and visual aesthetic in the galleries for the Museum. 
• In collaboration with the Senior Editor, oversee deadlines for print, web, and translation projects, as well as in-gallery texts, brochures, and publications in collaboration with other departments as necessary; establish institutional style guides. 
• Oversee and collaborate with editorial employees in the development of deadlines for exhibitions, permanent collection installations, including checklists, texts, floorplans, and print and web projects, as well as in-gallery texts in collaboration with others as necessary. 

Additional duties and responsibilities:

• Prepare and/or review and negotiate all agreements, contracts, and legal documents for acquisitions, loans, exhibitions, publications, vendors, and special projects ensuring implementation and compliance with the terms and conditions. 
• Develop and administer departmental budgets, exhibition budgets by project in collaboration with Exhibitions employees, permanent collection galleries budget, and build projections for multiyear budget analysis and grant submissions and reporting. 
• Lead development of new and improved processes and policies related to departmental and Museum operations in partnership with other departments. 
• Define and implement goals for the department and direct reports, following up on and reporting out progress.  
• Anticipate potential conflicts and actively facilitate resolutions to ensure smooth workflows; ensure that all deadlines are met and create contingency plans to be enacted, if necessary. 
• Collaborate across departments and participate in Museum-wide planning efforts and initiatives. 
• Coordinate with the Development Department on grants or fundraising endeavors. 
• Maintain active involvement in professional organizations and activities relevant to institutional priorities. 
• Complete, direct, or assign special projects as required. 
• Adhere to Museum policies and supports management decisions in a positive, professional manner. 
• Conform to the AAMD code of ethics governing the art museum profession. 

Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements:

Education, Experience, and Certification: 

• Bachelor’s degree in art history or related field required; M.A. preferred.
• A minimum of ten years of progressive experience in supervisory experience of professional and support employees in Exhibition Administration and Collections Management required.
• Ability to plan, develop, monitor, and manage significant, detailed budgets and to analyze and compile budget reports, summaries, and charts.
• Analytical skills to read and interpret professional journals and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write business correspondence, reports, and procedure manuals and respond to questions and present information effectively to the employees and museum professionals.
• Thorough knowledge of art registration methods, conservation terminology, and art law issues regarding legal documents, importation, and acquisition of works of art.
• The ability to read and understand architectural drawings, facility reports, design renderings, governmental regulations and legal documents.
• Excellent computer skills with competence in Word, Excel, and Outlook and working knowledge of TMS database desirable.
• Ability to visually inspect artwork, sit or stand for long periods of time, climb ladders, and lift 30 pounds.
• A second language is desirable.

Key Qualifications: 

Leadership: Motivates, leads by example, and provides recognition; self–confident; takes responsibility and accountability for the outcome of work; plans and prepares for all projects; decisive and able to set priorities, formulate goals and establishes a course of action; initiates and supports changes needed for future growth.

Effective Communication: Effectively expresses and communicates ideas, both orally and in writing. Listens actively to information presented by others. Clearly expresses desired outcomes. Keeps all appropriate parties informed on projects and issues.

Teamwork / Attitude: Collaborates toward the overall stability of the DMA by forming internal partnerships and building/nurturing external relationships. Moves seamlessly in and out of teams.

Personal Interactions: Goes above and beyond to respond to the needs of internal and external audiences both efficiently and effectively. Treats others, including peers, superiors, and subordinates with respect, fairness, and sensitivity. A good sense of humor is required.

Quality of Work: Conforms to the highest professional standards in achieving results. Work is complete, accurate, on time, and cost effective. Leads by example while adhering to the organizational vision.

Fiscal Capabilities: Ability to successfully manage function wide budgetary responsibilities, including projections and cost analyses for proposals and grant purposes.

Conduct Standards: Keeps information confidential, speaks honestly, clearly, yet tactfully. Consistently respects all the Museum’s policies and displays professional demeanor as a representative of the DMA.

Problem Solving: Contributes ideas with supporting rationale and an action plan to improve quality and productivity. Supports/executes implementation of these ideas to promote change and success.

Time Management: Manages time well and displays an above and beyond attitude to complete projects.

Initiative: Actively influences and brings forward collaboration. Self-starter who is self-disciplined and seeks innovative approaches.