Organization Summary
Swiss Institute (“SI”) is an independent non-profit contemporary art institution dedicated to promoting forward-thinking and experimental art making through innovative exhibitions, education, and programs. Committed to the highest standards of curatorial and educational excellence, SI serves as a platform for emerging artists, catalyzes new perspectives on celebrated work, and fosters appreciation for under-recognized positions. Open to the public free-of-charge, SI is committed to being an organization that is diverse, equitable, accessible, and sustainable in its work, structure, and programming.
Job Summary
The Head of Gallery Operations develops, budgets, and oversees the implementation of all aspects of SI’s exhibition program. An essential partner to Curatorial, this role leads a team of fabricators and art handlers in the installation and deinstallation of art in various media, both within the institution’s walls, and in public spaces.
The Head of Gallery Operations oversees maintenance and facilities for the 7,500 square foot gallery as well as the administrative office space and works with SI’s environmental team toward achieving institutional sustainability.
This position reports to the Executive Director, and Senior Curator and Head of Programs.
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Gallery:
- Oversee the installation, maintenance, and de-installation of 6 newly commissioned ambitious exhibitions annually, as well as occasional site-specific projects
- Plan and create an exhibition schedule and workflow, ensuring deadlines are met and installation is executed at a high quality
- Consult and communicate effectively with Curatorial and other internal stakeholders about all phases of the exhibitions cycle, from proposal, to production, installation, maintenance, and deinstallation
- In collaboration with Curatorial and the Associate Director, develop and manage budgets for all exhibitions
- Hire, supervise, and schedule art installers and fabricators in painting, construction, carpentry, lighting, design, audio-visual, media, technology, wall label texts, and other broad range installation needs as dictated by the artworks
- Liaise with art handling companies, couriers, and conservators
- Coordinate incoming and outgoing shipments of artwork
- Obtain competitive shipping and storage quotes
- Coordinate events organized by the Curatorial team
- Track, receive, return, break down, and/or store art shipments
- Oversee inventory of storage including limited editions and publications
- Assist and oversee after hours events, public openings, press events, etc.
- Prepare documentation, condition and loan reports, and presentation materials
Operations:
Plan, execute, and oversee a maintenance program to ensure proper care and functioning of museum exhibitions in general, as well as related equipment including projectors, media players, computers, sound equipment, and other technology.
- Oversee gallery and office security and fire systems, communicate with gallery’s security company as needed, and ensure that all systems and fire extinguishers are functioning and up to date
- Keep gallery up to code, be on site for all inspections, and keep track of all building certificates
- Maintain and monitor all facility systems and equipment, responding to and resolving problems where and when appropriate, liaise with contractors and architects when necessary
- Supervise and communicate with all building vendors, including but not limited to cleaning services, sanitation companies, plumbers, electricians, contractors (phone/internet), IT services, exterminators, repairmen, installers, etc.
- Must be willing and able to complete a fireguard certification test
- Maintain supplies for art handling and shipping purposes
- Knowledge of OSHA and other environmental regulations
- Liaise with the Executive Assistant to the Director to ensure updates to employee computers and subscriptions, including Adobe, Microsoft Office, Dropbox
- Ensure printers, phones, and all points of communication are working efficiently
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of successful arts project management and interdisciplinary exhibition organization
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred
- Affinity with the mission of SI
- Experience working with artists, fabricators, shippers, art installers, and architects
- Experience supervising part-time art installation crews
- Knowledge of art fabrication methods, mechanized equipment, audio-visual, media and other technology, applied in an installation or for interdisciplinary exhibitions
- Knowledge of best practices and protocols in art handling, packing and crating, materials, construction, painting, and lighting
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to negotiate bids
- Excellent knowledge of Google SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), as well as Flexisign and video creation and editing software
Compensation
The Head of Gallery Operations is a full-time, exempt position with required work outside of scheduled office hours.
The salary range for the position is $70,000 – $80,000, or commensurate with experience.
SI offers a competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision coverage; a health reimbursement account (HRA), 401k account, commuter benefits, and generous paid time off.
Additional Requirements
Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background and reference check.
You must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
To Apply
Please email a cover letter and résumé to jobs@swissinstitute.net with your name and “Head of Gallery Operations” in the subject line.
We will only contact candidates selected for further consideration.
No phone inquiries please.
SI is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from BIPOC, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented applicants. SI considers all candidates for employment regardless of race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, sexual and reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
