Director, Exhibitions

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Director of Exhibitions leads the planning, coordination, and execution of the Arboretum's exhibition portfolio, including recurring seasonal exhibitions and large-scale temporary exhibitions that advance the Arboretum's mission and enhance the guest experience. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director serves as the organization's central project leader for exhibitions, guiding projects from concept development through deinstallation. Working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners, the Director ensures exhibitions are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business administration, project management, museum studies, arts administration, communications, or a related field preferred.
Minimum of seven (7) years of applicable experience, including supervisory or team leadership experience.
Demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional projects involving budgets, schedules, and external partners.
Experience coordinating vendors, contractors, consultants, artists, exhibition studios, or other external partners.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software.
Ability to successfully complete all pre-employment requirements, including a background check and drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a public garden, museum, cultural institution, visitor attraction, performing arts organization, or similar experiential environment preferred.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management training preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning and delivery of the Arboretum's exhibition portfolio from concept development through project close-out.
Develop project plans, schedules, budgets, and implementation strategies that align creative vision with operational requirements.
Serve as the primary project manager for exhibition initiatives, establishing milestones, managing risks, and ensuring accountability across participating departments.
Facilitate project meetings, coordinate decision-making, and keep the Chief Operating Officer informed of project status, emerging risks, resource needs, and significant issues requiring executive decision-making.
Participate in the development of exhibition concepts and implementation strategies, providing operational guidance that supports successful execution while preserving creative intent.
Serve as the primary liaison with exhibition studios and creative partners throughout the exhibition lifecycle, fostering productive relationships and ensuring clear communication, alignment, and successful project delivery.
Oversee vendor and partner performance, ensuring contractual obligations, deliverables, and project milestones are achieved.
Help ensure exhibitions deliver an engaging, accessible and high-quality guest experience while supporting the Arboretum's mission and strategic priorities.
Develop, administer, and monitor project budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
Oversee procurement, contract administration, project documentation, and reporting.
Maintain accurate project records and prepare project updates and budget reports for organizational leadership.
Conduct post-exhibition evaluations to assess project outcomes, identify lessons learned, and recommend improvements for future exhibitions.
Supervise the Exhibitions Department and establish departmental priorities, workflows, and project management standards.
Develop and manage the Exhibitions Department budget.
Evaluate departmental processes and implement continuous improvements that strengthen organizational effectiveness and project delivery.
Lead special projects and other initiatives as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer.