Senior Manager, Exhibition Development

Senior Manager, Exhibition Development

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County was the first museum in L.A. to open its doors 109 years ago and is poised for an exciting new era as it plans for the future. Having recently completed a new strategic framework, the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County-including NHMLA at Exposition Park, La Brea Tar Pits and museum in mid-Wilshire, and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall-is looking forward to new building projects and campaigns, exhibitions, community outreach, and innovative audience engagement.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County values and endeavors to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within its organization and communities. Candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC), neurodiverse, gender, a person with disability, a veteran, and/or a part of the LGBTQAI+ community are welcome and encouraged to apply.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is seeking a Senior Manager of Exhibition Development for our Education, Exhibitions & Community Engagement department. The Senior Manager of Exhibition Development works closely with the Director of Exhibition Production at the Natural History Museum. It is an exciting time as we embark on new journeys of becoming a museum of, for, and with L.A.

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Staff Management: Oversees and provides mentorship of the exhibition development team. This includes exhibition project assignments, content guidance and review of team concepts, scripts and interpretative writing. In addition, manage external exhibition development contractors, copywriters, editors, and interns.
  
• Exhibition and Content Development: Act as lead exhibition content developer for selected exhibitions utilizing interpretative strategies and inclusive practice with a cross departmental, interdisciplinary team of content experts, designers, and educators. Research and develop ideas for multi-disciplinary exhibitions and gallery installations that meet our strategic goals.
  
• Lead Storyteller: Shape the narrative framework of the exhibition; conduct reviews of collections, images, and content research; conceive and produce media content and interactives as needed; write interpretive copy for labels and scripts. When necessary, participate in the planning of incoming exhibitions including modifying content and experiences to better meet institutional goals and increase relevance for Angelenos.
  
• Interdepartmental Collaboration: Must collaborate with staff across different divisions including Research and Collections, Advancement, Education, Public Programs, and Interpretation for implementation for content/storytelling initiatives for NHMLAC's permanent and temporary exhibitions.
  
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Advocate: Ensures that exhibition development team members support engagement as it relates to IDEA content and institutional initiatives. This includes the effectiveness and considerations of language, appealing to diverse audiences, and decolonizing museum practices. Practice community based partnerships and first-person voices to integrate diverse voices and relevance into exhibitions.
  
• Excellent Communicator and Collaborator: Writes primary exhibition documents and label copy. Gives regular presentations to team members and other Museum staff. Facilitates one-on-one and group interviews with internal and external content experts and consultants. Participates in and/or leads prototyping workshops.
  

This position has the following requirements:

• Broad knowledge of current trends and issues in exhibition development.
  
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Museum Studies, Creative Writing, Art History, Anthropology, or related field required. Candidates with significant equivalent experience will also be considered.
  
• A minimum of five years of professional experience developing successful, content-rich exhibition experiences with sound scholarship and broad community relevance and appeal
  
• A minimum of two years managing teams in an arts, culture, or educational setting
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills with history of inspiring a collaborative team environment
  
• Superior copywriting, editing, communication, and presentation skills
  

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is especially interested in candidates whose background and experience have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to engagement and inclusion at culturally diverse audiences in museums and in sciences.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is seeking applicants who have demonstrated experience and commitment working with a diverse community. Salary range for this position is $83,042- $89,293 based on experience plus excellent benefits. This is a full time, regular, exempt position.

A cover letter, current resume, and list of 3-4 references are required for all applicants. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Interested candidates please visit www.nhmlac.org/careers-our-museums and click the link of the position for which you are interested or go directly to the online application.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.