Job Title: Assistant Director, Gallery and Exhibition Planning
Company Name:
Harvard Art Museums
Location:
Cambridge, MA United States
Position Type:
Full Time
Post Date:
06/12/2026
Expire Date:
07/12/2026
Job Categories:
Collegiate Faculty, Staff, Administration
Job Description
Assistant Director, Gallery and Exhibition Planning
Job Description
The Assistant Director of Gallery and Exhibition Planning works across museum teams to realize temporary exhibitions, presentations in the collection galleries, and related spaces from initiation through closure. With the Director, they shape and guide the development and realization of exhibitions and collection displays that create meaningful encounters with works of art of varying media and from diverse regions, time periods, and areas of human experience. This position also supports the reach of the collection through traveling and partnered exhibitions. Leads planning process for establishing the schedule of exhibitions; develops and manages short- and long-term budgets for the exhibition program and oversees administration of all temporary exhibitions and collection displays; serves on the Directors’ team and other institutional teams as assigned.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
• In collaboration with the museum’s leadership, defines projects, coordinates planning and scheduling with contributing departments, manages execution, and tracks progress. With leadership, develops a strategy, defines and sets the concept goals, and ensures a balance of divisional representation, media, etc.
• In all matters works closely with related staff in Curatorial, Collections Management, Editorial and Design Services, Institutional Advancement and Finance. Provides guidance and direction, as needed, and maintains active communication.
• Drafts, develops, and manages exhibition budgets. Works closely with Curatorial, Finance, and Institutional Advancement to identify funding sources and to complete and submit the working budgets. Under the general direction of the museum’s Director, monitors expenditures, its impact on funding and provides approval as appropriate. Reconciles deviations or unanticipated expenses.
• Drafts, develops, and manages contracts and relationships with external partners and contributors, including artists and institutions related to commissions and traveling exhibitions.
• Sets institutional review process, from proposal to approval; develops and communicates strategies and processes to stakeholders and project teams. Continuously reviews and revises for effectiveness and relevance, consulting with stakeholders as appropriate.
• Forms cross-departmental exhibition project teams and manages toward timely completion; sets milestones within the project plan, assigns activities and timelines. Sets project team meeting schedules, directs agendas, and facilitates discussions.
• Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications are the minimum requirements a candidate must meet to be considered for this role.
• Minimum of seven years of exhibition project management experience in an art museum or other cultural properties institution.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
• Bachelor’s degree in art history, museum studies, arts administration, or other relevant discipline strongly preferred.
• Supervisory experience desirable.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated successful problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships at all levels of an organization.
• Experience in monitoring and/or managing complex budgets. Skills in meeting management and facilitation very helpful. Proven ability to accomplish goals amid sometimes conflicting priorities.
• Must be able to work both independently and as an effective team member.
Additional Information
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings: Identity, Education, Criminal
Other Information:
o This position may be considered for a hybrid schedule. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
o This position will have a 3-month orientation and review period.
o For more information and to apply, please visit the Harvard Careers website: https://us.smrtr.io/4R6Ns
o This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Company Description:
The Harvard Art Museums promote exploratory thinking about art, working across disciplines and in collaboration with students, faculty, and the public. Through research, teaching, and professional training, we provide a foundation for understanding art’s relevance to the defining issues of our time. We advance knowledge by preserving, documenting, sharing, and interpreting our collections, which span a broad range of time periods and geographies.
