Exhibitions and Engagement Manager

Overview

The Exhibitions and Engagement Manager reports to the Executive Director of the Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture and is responsible for consistently managing high‑quality exhibitions and programs across the Ruth Davis Design Gallery and the Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery, including displays within Nancy Nicholas Hall. The position manages the physical and logistical aspects of exhibition creation, including design, installation, strike, and staffing schedules, as well as managing exhibition assets for online exhibitions and digital use. The Manager develops and maintains relationships with colleagues, students, community organizations, donors, collectors, and corporations, maintains a calendar for social media outreach, collaborates on online exhibits, press releases and creative storytelling, and supervises gallery‑related staff, including students and the preparator.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides operational guidance on day‑to‑day activities of student workers and volunteers.
• Supervises staff, students, and volunteers.
• Produces, publishes, and presents original research.
• Designs, develops, and delivers instruction to faculty, staff, students, and museum patrons.
• Provides budgetary input and subject matter expertise in support of funding requests.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding collection information and access.
• Participates in development of collections plans, acquisition of collection items, exhibitions or displays, educational resources, and access to collections.
• Develops and maintains relationships with donors, collectors, and colleagues.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of post‑baccalaureate work experience with increasing responsibility in museums, galleries, libraries, academic centers, or other nonprofits; project management experience.
• Experience with at least one aspect of the center’s tripartite focus on material culture, textiles, and design.
• Professional museum, library, nonprofit, art, or project management experience.
• Experience managing multiple projects concurrently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with exhibition design and installation.
• Experience managing website content.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience or demonstrated ability in communicating and organizing with diverse audiences.
• Experience mentoring and collaborating with students and/or colleagues.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating an inclusive work environment.

Education

BA/BFA degree in art, design studies, art history, history, anthropology, English or related field required. MA or MFA in design studies, art, museum studies, education, nonprofit management, art history, history, material culture, design studies, or related field preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

The starting salary for this position is $63,000 annually. Final salary will be determined at time of hire based on experience and qualifications of the final candidate.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.

EEO Statement

The University of Wisconsin‑Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.