Deputy Director for Exhibitions and Operation | USA

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Deputy Director for Exhibitions and Operations

Duties
Reporting to the Dana Feitler Director, The Deputy Director for Exhibitions and Operations is a vital member of the senior leadership team at the museum, as he/she oversees the exhibitions logistics, registration, finance, administration and operations of the museum, supervising managers in each of those divisions. Working closely with the Director and the senior members of the Curatorial and Audience Engagement and Public practice teams, the DDEO has ultimate oversight and responsibility for all non-content production related activities at the museum.

He/she leads and is responsible for the successful planning, production, management, and completion of the museum’s entire exhibitions program (including, special exhibitions, travelling exhibitions, focused exhibitions, and collections rotations). The position calls for a strong leader to strategize, plan and manage a complicated exhibition schedule of more than 10 different exhibitions annually, working as a trusted partner with both the museum’s curatorial and registrations staff and a wide range of faculty, students, and other guest curators to develop a process for each project that allows the set goals to be met.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of supervisory experience, having led the planning and implementation of exhibitions in a museum or gallery setting with a team of staff and contractors and being equally familiar with museums best practices in collections care and maintenance. The DDEO will be responsible for overseeing the development of exhibition schedules and budgets, and working with curatorial, education, registration, communications, operations, and security departments to identify and manage all logistics of exhibitions, including overseeing tour details for travelling exhibitions.
The DDEO also provides active leadership in the Museum’s general administration in accordance with its educational mission and objectives, including overall management and long-term strategic planning. Critical to this position is the proven ability to develop and implement effective financial management and operational policies, as well as the initiative to work collaboratively with other senior managers and staff, and to communicate effectively and collegially with a diverse community of faculty, students, administrators, and patrons.

The DDEO is responsible for overseeing all financial, administrative, and operational aspects of the Museum. Key responsibilities include managing the museum’s multi-million dollar operating budget and maintaining the policies and goals that govern its operations, personnel, and financial performance. The DDEO supports and advises the Director in developing strategic objectives, decision making, and in fulfilling the mission of the museum, and the DDEO takes a leadership role in establishing institutional policies, practices, and direction. The DDEO also serves as the lead liaison to the university for finance and operations, including working closely with the University leadership.

Qualifications

B.A. required, preferably in Museum Studies, Arts Administration, or a related field or comparable work experience in those areas. Graduate level studies preferred
A senior museum professional with a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible supervisory experience managing registrars, preparators, and exhibition staff, with a deep knowledge of exhibition concepts, practices, policies and procedures, is required. Proven supervisory and leadership skills; a solutions-oriented, diplomatic problem solver and team player.
Experience within a highly productive international operation is preferred. Knowledge of current and emerging trends of museums and cultural institutions is a key component to a candidate’s potential success in this role. Knowledge of professional museum practices.
Extensive experience in the preparation of financial statements; knowledge of fund accounting and not-for-profit management.
Experience leading an institute-wide budget process to completion on a timely basis and then providing ongoing monitoring of financial performance and measuring against approved budgets.
A proven track record of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously and staying on budget and on time. Self-confident and secure; unflappable in the face of multiple problems; pragmatic, grounded, authoritative, decisive and disciplined; mentally flexible and creative as circumstances demand. A creative problem-solver who is nimble and able address and lead a team to solve any unexpected challenges.
Superlative communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills grounded in excellent judgment; a diplomatic ambassador who can assess risk, hold a position, engage diverse partners and drive complicated deals to closure. Experience negotiating and managing contracts and legal agreements.
A true collaborator about whom all sides consider possesses a strong sense of integrity and an unerring ethical compass in a dynamic cultural arena.
Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines.
Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness.
Demonstrated creativity, problem solving, critical analysis, initiative, judgment and, decision-making skills.
Demonstrated ability to develop and meet budget goals.
Demonstrated solid planning and organizational skills.
Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
Strong relevant subject matter knowledge.
Ability to direct the work of others, for jobs requiring supervision.

Compensation
Full-time, benefits-eligible.

To Apply
To apply, send cover letter, resume, and references via jobopportunities.uchicago.edu. Search for requisition #103523.

SMART MUSEUM OF ART
The University of Chicago
5550 S. Greenwood Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60637
https://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu