Exhibition Content Writer/Manager

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC) are dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – including fostering respect for all, serving the greater good, and welcoming individuals from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. HMSC is a partnership of public museums in Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences that includes the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. To learn more about HMSC's mission, objectives, and core values, please visit our website https://hmsc.harvard.edu/
The Exhibition Content Writer/Manager is responsible for producing exhibit content across 4 museums in the HMSC partnership - the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Reporting to the Director of Exhibitions, the Exhibition Content Writer/Manager provides overall leadership and direction for the content development process, executing tasks in line with field-specific best practices from preliminary planning through final design and installation. They research and produce interpretive content including label copy and other print, digital, and interactive materials. They also oversee the image acquisition process, monitoring intellectual property ramifications and obtaining permissions as needed to secure images, video, and audio for public museum exhibits. This position manages up to two direct reports and/or contract staff who contribute to exhibit and multimedia content development. The Exhibition Content Writer/Manager must understand universal design and approach projects with a strong focus on visitor experience.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in the natural or social sciences, education, nonfiction writing, museum studies, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience researching, organizing material, developing concepts, and writing for a public audience
• 2+ years of supervisory and management experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Nice To Haves

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proven ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and imaginatively with a wide range of audiences
• High standards of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work successfully as a member of a team and independently
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to multitask and maintain a positive, helpful attitude
• Knowledge of museum signage and exhibit development processes
• Experience interpreting cultural or scientific objects or specimens for exhibits in a science, social science, or history museum
• Ability to read and understand scientific and social science literature

Responsibilities

• Develop exhibit content for delivery through text
• In partnership with the Director of Exhibitions, ensure that exhibit goals, objectives, themes, and key messages are clearly established and reviewed at specified points in the process
• Develop interpretive exhibit content by conducting, in-depth research through literature reviews, subject matter expert interviews, and collaborating with other team members and exhibit stakeholders
• Coordinate outreach and communications to new, existing, and prospective content advisors, including all scheduling matters
• Coordinate and review material from academic and curatorial partners and integrate into exhibit label text
• Write, edit, revise, fact-check, and proofread text for exhibit labels and scripts
• Ensure that the style standard for language, punctuation, and vocabulary usage, is consistent with museum field best practices for readability
• Develop and/or oversee development of exhibit content for delivery through images, video, interactives, and audio
• Conduct research on visual imagery appropriate for inclusion in exhibits
• Select visual and other imagery, such as photographs, videos, illustrations, and audio for exhibits.
• Coordinate outreach and communications to prospective partners to secure copywrite or other intellectual property permissions for use of images, video, or audio files in HMSC exhibits
• Ensure that audio/visual exhibit components are consistent with museum field best practices for accessibility
• Coordinate translation of label text to additional languages as appropriate
• Conduct outreach to HMSC partner translators, including scheduling meetings as needed
• Collaborate with HMSC finance team members to develop contract and payment mechanisms as needed
• Manage and supervise the work of up to two direct reports and/or temporary staff
• Lead the recruitment of new exhibit content team members, in partnership with Director of Administration and Director of Exhibitions
• Lead onboarding of new exhibit content team members, in partnership with HMSC administration colleagues
• Direct and oversee the work of direct reports, providing regular feedback to achieve project goals
• Conduct all phases of the annual performance process (goals, check-ins, annual review) with direct reports
• Participate in the installation of final exhibit objects, labels, and interactives in collaboration with the entire exhibit team, guest curators, and exhibit contractors.
• Participate in exhibit team meetings
• Participate in All Staff meetings and committees to support cross-departmental collaboration in support of HMSC’s strategic plan
• Perform other duties as needed and assigned to meet exhibit deadlines

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree