Associate Director for Exhibitions & Education

Associate Director for Exhibitions & Education, The Harry Ransom Center Job Posting Title: Associate Director for Exhibitions & Education, The Harry Ransom Center ---- Hiring Department: Harry Ransom Center ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Nov 20, 2026 ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS ---- Job Details: General Notes About the Harry Ransom Center The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. Visitors engage with the Center's collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings. The Ransom Center encourages discovery, inspires creativity, and advances understanding of the humanities for a broad audience through the preservation and sharing of its extraordinary collections. Purpose The Associate Director for Exhibitions & Education provides strategic leadership for the Ransom Center’s exhibitions program and other educational activities. Reporting to the Director, this role oversees a portfolio of interpretive initiatives including exhibitions, public programs and symposia, classroom instruction, and fellowships. Working closely with the Director, senior leadership team, and unit heads within the portfolio, the Associate Director for Exhibitions & Education translates institutional strategy into coordinated programs that deepen engagement, build partnerships across campus, and expand public understanding and appreciation of the Center’s collections. This position plans, coordinates, and manages the Center’s active schedule of public exhibitions and associated public programs. In coordination with the Head of Instruction & Archival Engagement and Library Services staff, it oversees a robust program of classroom instruction with rare and unique primary sources, and in coordination with the Head of Education & Public Programs, it ensures consistently engaging visitor experiences. The Associate Director for Exhibitions & Education collaborates with the Head of Fellowships & Scholarly Programs in the review, selection, and administration of the Center’s fellowship program which serves approximately fifty fellows a year. The position works closely with exhibition curators, events staff, teaching faculty, speakers, and community partners to deliver consistently engaging experiences in the Center’s exhibition galleries, theatre, classrooms, and online. The Associate Director for Exhibitions & Education serves as a member of the Ransom Center’s senior leadership team and participates in setting institution-wide priorities and strategic directions. The position manages the annual budget for the Exhibitions & Education Department and collaborates with development staff in securing exhibition sponsorships. Responsibilities Program Execution Plan and manage the Center’s rotating exhibitions (2 to 4 per year), and with the support of the Registrar, oversee a national and international program of collection loans to peer research libraries and museums. In collaboration with the Director, the Head of Education & Public Programs, and Ransom Center leadership, develop an engaging series of readings, lectures, and other program offerings that amplify exhibition themes or engage public audiences with the Center’s collections. In collaboration with the Head of Education & Public Programs and Visitors Services team offer rich engagement opportunities for all ages of learners. In collaboration with the Head of Instruction & Archival Engagement, provide rich instructional opportunities for the UT undergraduate and graduate student community. In collaboration with the Head of Fellowships & Scholarly Programs, manage a campus-focused works-in-progress series, the Flair Symposium, and other occasional symposia. In collaboration with the Membership Manager, coordinate around exhibition opening member events and scheduling of 6 – 8 membership events annually. Supervise, support, and provide guidance to department program leaders in setting goals, managing projects, and navigating operational challenges. Foster a collaborative culture within and across the Exhibitions & Education Department. Work closely with curatorial, collections, conservation, Reading Room, and operations teams to support integrated approaches to access and engagement. Partner with communications and development colleagues to promote programs, and support exhibition sponsorship and other fundraising opportunities. Strategic Leadership for Exhibitions and Education Provide vision and strategic direction for engagement initiatives that connect the institution’s collections with public audiences, teaching faculty, fellows, and students. Plan and maintain the Center’s long-range exhibition plans (3 to 5 years ahead) and collaborate with, and provide guidance to, in-house and guest curators on exhibition development. Ensure alignment of exhibitions and program offerings with the Center’s mission, strategic directions, and priorities. Monitor program outcomes and support data-informed improvements to engagement strategies. Represent the Exhibitions and Education Department on the Center’s senior leadership team and collaborate with leadership on institutional directions and priorities. External Partnerships & Representation Cultivate relationships with faculty, researchers, cultural institutions, and community partners. Represent the institution in collaborations related to exhibitions, teaching initiatives, fellowships, or public programs. Required Qualifications Master’s degree or higher in one of the Ransom Center’s areas of collection strength (e.g., literature, theatre, film, photography, or art). At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in library or museum education and exhibitions. Experience leading major cross-departmental initiatives, institutional programs, exhibitions, or other complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and areas of expertise. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively across departments and areas of expertise. Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff and supporting teams through organizational or programmatic change. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with faculty, scholars, students, community partners, cultural organizations, and other stakeholders. Demonstrated record of scholarly or professional publication. Flexibility of schedule with the ability to work on site on some weekends and evenings. Familiarity with museum exhibition best practices. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Preferred Qualifications Experience providing strategic leadership across multiple engagement areas, such as exhibitions, instruction, fellowships, scholarly programs, public programming, or visitor services, preferably within an academic library, archives, museum, or cultural institution. Experience using program assessment, evaluation, and other evidence to inform strategic decision‑making and improve engagement initiatives. Experience with collection management systems. Salary Range $110,000, non-negotiable Working Conditions Standard office conditions including repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Employment Eligibility Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval. Retirement Plan Eligibility The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Background Checks A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. Equal Opportunity Employer The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. Pay Transparency The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. Employment Eligibility Verification If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I‑9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university. 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