Head of Exhibition Design

Job Description

Job Description

The Head of Exhibition Design is a leadership role essential to delivering design initiatives throughout the museum, its campus, and affiliate locations. Reporting to the Chief Exhibition, Design, and Publications Officer, this innovative and collaborative leader oversees both the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the Exhibition Design Department, including exhibition design and graphic design. Beyond departmental management, the Head of Exhibition Design also leads institutional design projects in partnership with and under the guidance of the Chief Exhibition, Design, and Publications Officer.

Rooted in our mission to create transformative experiences through art for the benefit of all people forever, this role defines and drives the design vision for projects across the institution. It fosters innovative, functional, and compelling experiences while upholding the highest standards of quality and ensuring brand consistency across all platforms and programs.

Summary of Responsibility:

• Lead and manage a department of 4 staff, providing strategic direction and oversight, implementing standard operating procedures, and oversight of staff performance.
• Oversee the design development and implementation for a dynamic portfolio of 30+ concurrent projects, including temporary exhibitions (across approximately 25,000 square feet), permanent collection activity and rotations, and major institutional initiatives, at various stages of development and implementation.

Requirements and Key Competencies

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university with courses in architecture, interior design, fine arts, art history, or related field; ten years of art museum experience with a proven track record of successfully planning and implementing highly complex design projects. Prior managerial experience is required.
• Advanced technical expertise in museum exhibition design, paired with a forward-thinking approach to creating innovative, accessible, and meaningful visitor experiences.
• Practical knowledge of project managing design initiatives from conception through fabrication, installation, and final realization.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, balance shifting priorities, and adapt quickly to evolving challenges. Maintains a strong attention to detail, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and quality across all initiatives.
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools and software (Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Vectorworks, SketchUp, Rhino, and CAD tools).
• Clear, confident, and responsive communicator with a demonstrated ability to present ideas and design concepts to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Creative and collaborative manager who inspires and mentors staff, fostering innovation and excellence in the creation of transformative visitor experiences through design.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively under pressure while maintaining flexibility, sound judgment, and strong problem-solving skills.
• In-depth understanding of museum best practices and exhibition display standards.

Responsibilities

Department Operations:

• Lead a team of exhibition designers and graphic designers to execute a broad and complex portfolio of design projects to the highest professional standards.
• Oversee departmental staffing, including recruitment, hiring, goal setting, performance management, professional development, and succession planning.
• Develop, manage, and monitor department budgets and timetables, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources while supporting ambitious and high-quality design outcomes.
• Align departmental initiatives with institutional priorities, ensuring all work advances the museum’s mission and long-term strategic plan.
• Develop, implement, and refine standard operating procedures, workflows, and scope-of-work documentation to ensure operational clarity, accountability, and efficiency.
• Remain current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in exhibition and museum design, integrating innovation thoughtfully into departmental work.

Design Standards:

• Develop and implement comprehensive design and graphic standards across the museum campus, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with institutional branding.
• Review and approve design specifications for gallery construction, back-of-house areas, offices, campus and gallery signage, and other public-facing and operational spaces to ensure quality, functionality, and adherence to design standards.
• Establish and maintain standardized design documentation to support cross-departmental communication, institutional knowledge-sharing, and archival recordkeeping.
• Produce highly detailed renderings, schematic plans, and construction and fabrication documents using industry-standard software to guide projects from concept through execution.
• Clearly and confidently present design concepts, technical plans, and strategic recommendations to a diverse range of stakeholders, including executive leadership, cross-functional teams, and external partners.
• Identify, champion, and implement sustainable design and operational practices, integrating environmentally responsible solutions into both project work and daily departmental operations.

Project Planning and Execution:

• Align project scope, timelines, and deliverables with institutional priorities to ensure strategic impact and efficient resource allocation.
• Develop and manage detailed design budgets, schedules, and performance benchmarks to ensure initiatives are completed on time and within budget.
• Schedule, facilitate, and lead design planning meetings with key stakeholders; present design strategies, progress updates, and final plans to the Executive Team as requested.
• Oversee and manage relationships with external contractors, fabricators, and vendors supporting gallery construction and related activities, ensuring quality, accountability, and adherence to project specifications.
• Conduct comprehensive post-project evaluations assessing process, schedule adherence, budget performance, and final outcomes; implement lessons learned to strengthen future planning and execution.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Partner cross-institutionally to ensure projects reflect and support the needs of key stakeholders, including curatorial, collections management, conservation, digital initiatives, interpretation, and facilities, while advancing shared institutional goals.
• Build consensus across diverse perspectives, fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and mutual respect among departments.
• Communicate ideas, expectations, and project updates clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, maintaining the highest standards of clarity, diplomacy, and accountability.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Exhibition, Design, and Publications Officer.

Application Requirements

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following materials:

• A cover letter outlining their interest in the position and relevant qualifications.
• A current résumé.
• A design portfolio showcasing examples of recent and relevant work.
• Three professional references, including contact information.

Annual salary Range / $95,000-$100,000

Full-time Benefits include:

• Partner level membership to CMA 
• Free, unlimited admission to select Cleveland Museum of Art ticketed exhibitions (two adult member tickets per visit, subject to availability)
• 50% off admission to select ticketed exhibitions for members' guests
• Free admission to select ticketed exhibitions for unlimited children, 17 and younger, when accompanied by a member
• Priority registration and discounts for museum art classes for adults and children
• 20% discount in the museum store
• 25% discount in the museum restaurant and café
• Annual subscription to Cleveland Art members magazine
• Free Garage Parking
• Your employment relationship with the museum qualifies you for free or discounted admissions to other cultural institutions such as the Natural History Museum, Botanical Gardens, The Cleveland Zoo, etc.
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Voluntary Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• HSA
• FSA
• 401(k) with company match
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• ID Theft
• Legal Services
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off