Exhibition Production Manager

Link to VMFA Job Posting

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts seeks an experienced professional to join our Exhibition Design and Production team. This position supports the mission of the VMFA by producing custom and rotating gallery installations. The responsibilities of this position include:
– Under the supervision of the Director of Exhibition Design and Production, directs exhibition production workflow and gallery changeovers.
– Based on design plans and project schedules, provides budget estimates and generates strategies and action items for the Production team and vendors.
– Oversees fabrication, assembly, and finishing for display casework and fixtures, architectural and scenic build-outs and take-downs, and ongoing gallery and fixture maintenance.
– Responds adaptively to challenges and contingencies, keeping projects on time and production staff focused on priorities.
– Working with operating or project budgets, sources building materials, while maintaining and making improvements to production facilities, tools, and equipment.
– Advises the Director of necessary shop upgrades and oversees their implementation.
– Participates in planning for additional production facilities as part of VMFA building expansion.
– Researches potential long-term storage options for casework and fixtures.
– Stays abreast of new products and technology to improve shop safety and efficiency.
This position manages Production personnel, overseeing individual job performances while promoting team cohesion. This includes providing guidance and mentorship, seeking opportunities for training and professional development.
This position is anticipated to begin work July 1st, 2024.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience leading a production team through cycles of fabrication, build-out, installation, and take-down, tackling projects of varying scope and complexity. Demonstrated ability to motivate staff, delegate tasks and deploy them in a resourceful, equitable manner. Familiarity with project management tools (such as Asana) and personnel management software.
Experience overseeing a production budget, sourcing vendors and suppliers, bidding jobs, coordinating onsite work, and processing invoices. Good math skills, ability to estimate costs, and a working knowledge of spreadsheet and inventory management software (such as Excel).
Advanced skills in carpentry, woodworking, trim work, veneering, finishing, and installation/assembly. Advanced experience with tools such as CNC machines, routers, tablesaws and panel saws, joiners and planers, drill presses, jigsaws, and a variety of handheld tools. Skilled with a variety of finishes, especially latex paint, as well as wood stains and topcoats.
Able to read and correctly interpret design drawings. Able to creatively solve challenges relating to logistics, staging, and loading of exhibition fixtures, and to devise methods of joining and assembly, including with large-scale and fragile items.
Must have been trained and kept up to date in the proper use and maintenance of shop tools. Advanced understanding of best safety practices, including use of PPE, air quality and cleanliness, storage of hazardous materials and sharps, and safe methods for loading and installing large-scale and heavy fixtures.

See posting linked above for further details and application instructions.