Senior Exhibition Designer

Job Summary:

The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC) is a partnership of public museums in Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences that includes the Harvard Museum of Natural History (HMNH), the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East (HMANE), the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments (CHSI), and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (PMAE). To learn more about HMSC's mission, objectives, and core values, please visit our website https://hmsc.harvard.edu/

The Senior Exhibition Designer oversees all 3D and graphic exhibit design work for the HMSC exhibits department, including supervision of a design team with two direct reports. Responsibilities include setting and managing priorities for exhibit design and conceptual development, and leading exhibit design projects from inception through completion. The role collaborates closely with HMSC’s Director of Exhibitions and Executive Director on long-range planning and strategic direction for the exhibits department.

This position requires advanced knowledge of museum exhibit design, visual content interpretation and communication, museum directional signage, and graphic production expertise. The position reports to the Director of Exhibitions and serves on the Exhibits Department leadership team, helping to coordinate planning and production across the design, content development, and fabrication/production teams.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Design

• Manage all aspects of 3D and graphic design for HMSC exhibit projects• Produce digital renderings, modeling, 3D visualizations, floorplans and elevations using Vectorworks.

• Communicate and present design plans to stakeholders to guide decision-making

• Collaborate with HMSC colleagues, curators, and collections staff to ensure designs meet collection care, object safety, and conservation standards

• Collaborate with other exhibits department leaders to coordinate exhibit production

• Research prices and quality of products, materials, and vendors, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards

• Manage external contractors when necessary

• Collaborate with other exhibits department leaders to translate curatorial narratives into spatial experiences, integrating architecture, lighting, media, materials, and visitor flow• Ensure designs are safe and accessible, working with collections staff to present objects securely and in compliance with ADA guidelines

• Partner with curators and HMSC departments (Education, Marketing & Communications, Public Programs, Operations) to align exhibition design with institutional strategy and public-facing goals, resonating with diverse audiences

Leadership/Management

• As part of the exhibits department leadership team, contribute to departmental planning, refining processes, and aligning work to meet departmental and institutional goals 

• Co-manage the exhibits schedule from concept through installation, ensuring deadlines are met, and exhibitions are produced efficiently and to the highest standards

• Stay current on trends in exhibition design, immersive media, and visitor experience• Pending budget approval, attend field-specific conferences and trainings

• Manage and supervise the work of up to two direct reports and/or temporary staff• Lead the recruitment and onboarding of exhibit design team members, in partnership with the Director of Administration and the Director of Exhibitions

• Mentor and supervise staff, fostering a creative, collaborative culture and maintaining high design standards. Provide regular feedback, direction, and support to meet project goals

• Conduct all phases of the annual performance process (goals, check-ins, annual reviews)

General

• Lead design team meetings and participate in all exhibit team meetings

• Participate in All Staff meetings and committees to support cross-departmental collaboration in support of HMSC’s strategic plan

Working Conditions:

• This primarily on-site position will be based in Cambridge, MA

• Some scheduling flexibility is required, especially during periods of intense exhibit production and when meeting exhibit deadlines. Candidates must be available to shift their schedule on occasion to accommodate work planned on mornings and evenings outside of museum public hours.

Physical Requirements:

• Intensive computer work with repetitive motion (typing, mouse, and graphic pen)

• Must be able to view the full spectrum of color, with or without corrective lenses