Senior Director of Exhibitions and Collections

Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

2d•$155,000 - $170,000

About The Position

The Senior Director of Exhibitions and Collections is responsible for the administration, coordination, and successful implementation of all operational aspects of MOCA’s exhibition program. This position provides managerial oversight for the museum’s exhibitions, directs the day-to-day activities, and establishes protocol and workflow for the Exhibition Management, Registration, and Production departments. The Senior Director of Exhibitions and Collections provides strategic vision and ensures that all operational aspects of the exhibition program are in alignment with the overall objectives. The Senior Director of Exhibitions and Collections will work closely with department heads to help them understand the financial and/or operational implications of the museum’s programming decisions. The position works closely with the Chief Curator to develop strategy, and advance short and long-term museum goals as it relates to the exhibition program and will meet with other members of the Senior Management team to keep them informed of all areas mentioned above. In conjunction with Curatorial, Registration and Exhibition Production department directors the Senior Director of Exhibitions and Collections oversees all exhibition project and department general operating budgets, as well as tour expenses and reconciliation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s in art history or equivalent preferred, with extensive knowledge and emphasis in Contemporary art.
Minimum of five years of relevant work experience, and minimum of three years of experience leading and managing museum projects, programs, and mentoring others.
Advanced knowledge of, and experience in, museum exhibition and collection development.
Strong staff management and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

Supervise Associate Director of Exhibition Management, Director of Production and Director of Registration & Collections, and work with all curatorial staff to determine timelines and related needs
Provide ongoing day-to-day direction, supervision and guidance to assigned administrative teams in their operations, policies, and procedures. Evaluate complex issues and identify multiple options for resolution. In conjunction with Department Heads, develop, monitor and oversee related budgets.
Work closely with Exhibitions Management, Registration, Production and Curatorial Departments to ensure coordinated, timely and cost-effective exhibition program.
Evaluate processes and activity performance to maintain competency, encourage best practices, and implement new strategies.
Oversee all aspects of multi-year exhibitions including planning, exhibition and touring
Primary liaison to Deputy Director regarding all aspects of program management
Partners with the Chief Curator to manage and coordinate the exhibition program that advances the Museum’s visibility and reputation and includes exhibitions that travel nationally and internationally to ensure the Director’s strategic vision is realized. Works closely with the Director for exhibition management areas.
Supervises Director of Registration and Collections in the care and stewardship of MOCA’s permanent collection
Oversees MOCA’s current and advance exhibition calendar and tour schedule. Insures timely dissemination of exhibition schedules and related information
Drafts and manages timelines for individual exhibitions that provide deadlines for budgets, checklists, loan requests, fundraising proposals, installation, printed matter, and other requirements
Attends exhibition production meetings and ensures budget and timing stays on track
Finalizes exhibition and co-organization agreements in consultation with organizing curator(s), registrar, exhibitions staff, and co-organizing museums
Supervises and advises on all contract negotiations with guest curators, artists, and other individual contractors.
Works with key MOCA staff to schedule and negotiate incoming exhibition contracts, fees, and tour costs with the organizing institution
Oversees all exhibition organization and exhibition tour budgets, works with Exhibition Management, organizing Curators, Finance, Registration, and Production departments to determine exhibition budgets for upcoming fiscal years, regularly communicates with museum staff to monitor exhibition expense activity throughout the year
Reviews ledger reports for exhibitions as well as Exhibition Management, Production and Registration departments and makes corrections as necessary. Maintains “year-to-date” budget forms that include actual expenditures and provides budget projections on a monthly basis. In consultation with Associate Director of Exhibition Management performs budget reconciliation of all exhibition budgets at the end of the fiscal year