Exhibition Manager and Lead Preparator
University of Richmond · UR Main Campus · $50,461–$66,851 (stated in the posting)
Job Description
Position Reposted. Review of applications will begin on September 28, 2026
REQUIRED: Attach Resume and Cover Letter
The Exhibition Manager and Lead Preparator for the University Museums oversees the planning, coordination, and implementation of all exhibitions and permanent collection installations at the Harnett Museum of Art and the Lora Robins Gallery. A critical member of the Museums' collaborative team and reporting to the Deputy Director and Curator of Exhibitions, the Exhibition Manager and Lead Preparator is responsible for managing the Museums' exhibition program, developing exhibition production timelines, budgets and installation plans, and ensuring exhibitions open on time and at the highest standards. A skilled art handler with broad experience in all media, the Exhibition Manager and Lead Preparator leads all exhibition preparation and fabrication and coordinates all audiovisual displays and new media in the Museums’ galleries. They supervise the Assistant Preparator, occasional contract workers, and UR student interns.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
- Work conditions are primarily inside, however, infrequent outside work will occur. Frequently required to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to paint, solvents, adhesives, and air-borne particles, and to minimize risk while using specialty hand and power tools.
- Position requires ability to climb ladders; to have flexibility and ease of mobility; ability to lift and move large and heavy objects using basic moving equipment; and ability to stand for long periods of time.
- Position requires the ability to work unscheduled overtime during periods of installation/deinstallation and to support special programs and events.
- Position requires the use of personal vehicle.
JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Exhibition Planning and Management [40%]
- Oversees exhibition planning and management for all museum exhibitions and permanent collection installations in coordination with museum leadership
- Creates and develops exhibition and installation timelines using specialized project management software, including AirTable
- Ensures benchmarks are met according to schedule
- Presents timelines to entire museum staff and assigns tasks as appropriate
- An expert in exhibition design, creates exhibition layouts professionally designed with CAD software, including in SketchUp, with assistance from Assistant Preparator and in consultation with curators
- Ensures exhibitions and objects are installed according to the highest museum standards and best practices, and in accordance with programmatic, conservation, aesthetic and ADA requirements
- With Deputy Director and Director of Operations, prepares and administers exhibition budgets and estimates, and ensures that expenditures are within agreed upon budgetary limits
- Researches, recommends and hires specialized contractors and specialized equipment as needed for complex exhibition projects and as approved by museum leadership
- Oversees and coordinates routine gallery inspections, touch-ups and cleaning
Exhibition Preparation and Installation [35%]
- Manages and executes all aspects of exhibition installation, deinstallation, and construction
- Prepares exhibition spaces in advance of exhibitions, schedules any necessary contractors or campus partners, coordinates gallery painting, and facilitates building all temporary walls and installation components
- With museum curators, determines display casework and presentation furniture as needed for specific exhibitions, produces construction plans and shop drawings for all necessary furniture, and coordinates and builds all exhibition casework and display furniture as needed with Assistant Preparator
- Oversees the inventory and movement of cases, museum furniture, and other exhibition-related objects
- In consultation with curators, identifies framing and other artwork preparation needs for each exhibition
- Assigns and supervises artwork preparation, including artwork framing, by the Assistant Preparator
- Supervises the design, production, and installation of all exhibition didactics, text panels, title displays, object labels, and other graphic displays by the Assistant Preparator
- Well versed in the technical demands of time-based media and its installation, determines and coordinates all audiovisual requirements for exhibitions, assists with audiovisual equipment installation, set up and regular maintenance, and supervises any specialized contractors
- With Curator of Collections, coordinates delivery and handling activities for loaned artworks
- In consultation with museum curators, sets and maintains gallery lighting at accepted light levels
- With Director of Operations, manages vendors, temporary contractors and purchases, identifies skilled vendors and temporary contractors as needed, requests estimates, places orders, tracks, coordinates, and manages deliveries
Facilities Management [10%]
- Oversees facilities maintenance and upkeep, organization of collections and storage spaces, and museum workshops in coordination with the Director of Operations including scheduling and facilitating work with University Facilities and outside contractors
- Ensures that storage areas are maintained at professional levels of environmental and security control
- Monitors and maintains museum facilities, including overseeing the organization of collection storage spaces and maintaining the appearance of exhibition spaces by Exhibition Preparator
- Manages the museum workshop and establishes workshop standards to ensure overall safety of museum facilities
- Maintains tools and equipment and coordinates replacements with the Director of Operations
- Tracks inventories of tools, materials and supplies
- Supervises the cleaning and organization of shop facility
- Assists with museum facilities environmental monitoring
Collections Care and Management [10%]
- Ensures that collections storage areas are maintained at professional levels of environmental and security control and all collections objects are safely moved, stored and maintained
- In coordination with the Director of Operations, schedules and facilitates work with University Facilities and outside contractors
- Maintains and updates the location of collections objects, packing, materials, and supply storage with TMS Administrator
- Oversees and facilitates safe packing and transportation of collections objects
- Supervises the matting and framing of collections objects and as well as the preparation of collection objects for storage and display by the Assistant Preparator
- In consultation with Museum leadership, curators, and TMS Administrator, makes conservation recommendations
- With Curator of Collections, coordinates shipping and receiving, packing and unpacking of all collection objects to ensure proper handling and security procedures are followed
Supervision [5%]
- Supervises Assistant Preparator
- Trains student interns and temporary exhibition workers
- Ensures all workers understand and implement best museum practices and safety protocols at all times in all museum spaces and workshops across campus.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge, skills & ability:
- Specialized knowledge of exhibition planning and project management, including project management software, such as AirTable.
- Highly skilled in exhibition design and recent exhibition technologies.
- Ability to easily translate curatorial ideas into 3-D models and CAD drawings.
- Broad knowledge of best museum practices for art handling and installation, collections management, object care, fabrication, and shipping.
- Fluent in time-based media installation.
- Highly skilled in object handling, carpentry, matting and framing, fabrication of exhibition furniture, platforms and displays, hanging and mounting systems, gallery lighting, moving objects, patching, painting, and proper ladder use and safety.
- Skilled and clear communicator who can work with a diverse range of colleagues and stakeholders, including museum leadership, university faculty and staff, visiting artists, and students.
- Ability to carefully assign tasks to ensure exhibition planning and installation is completed on time and on budget.
- Ability to make independent decisions and apply creative methods to solve complex installation problems with attention to detail.
- Ability to work in a diverse environment and with a diverse range of colleagues, stakeholders, and visitors is required.
- Ability to work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects and competing demands, balance tasks and see projects through to completion.
- Curious to continuously learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in exhibition planning and design.
- Working knowledge of SketchUp, AirTable, The Gallery System (TMS) Collections Management Software, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Education & experience:
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of art preparator and exhibition planning and design experience with increasing responsibility. MFA is preferred
- Knowledge of museum best practices, an appreciation for the stewardship, safety and care, and preservation of fine art.
- Requires a successful driving check
SALARY STRUCTURE: Full-time, with Benefits, Salaried, Exempt
Pay Grade 6: $50,461 to $66,851