Exhibitions Manager // Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project

POSITION TYPE: Full-time 2 years contract

The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is located in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and is a museum of modern and contemporary art with a mission to contribute to and stimulate expansive perspectives on the history of art. Presenting an international collection with a specific focus on West Asia, North Africa, and South Asia (WANASA), Guggenheim Abu Dhabi fosters a deeper understanding of how different local, regional, and international forces have shaped the interconnected histories and cultures of our time.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

As a member of the exhibitions teams of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project, the Exhibition Manager, New York will ensure the effective planning, budgeting, communication, and implementation of exhibitions for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, including permanent collection displays, temporary exhibitions, and commissions.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

- Minimum of 5-7 years experience working in Exhibitions area for a museum, gallery, or foundation.
- Working knowledge of 20th and 21st Century art and a familiarity with artists materials.
- Experience developing and managing budgets in excess of $2,000,000.
- Experience negotiating and managing contracts and legal agreements.
- Foundation in exhibition management procedures helpful.
- Excellent concern for detail while working within multiple fast-paced project timelines.
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically
- Exceptional file organization skills
- Ability to collaborate with diverse implementation team is essential.
- Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Ability to be proactive, use independent judgment and initiative.
- Foreign language skills helpful.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Serve as the lead project manager for assigned exhibitions and projects, managing the process, completion of milestones, team communication, budget, and implementation.

- Organize and lead exhibition checklist development with the curatorial and design departments, and planning and implementation meetings across multiple departments. Ensure smooth communication between all parties involved in executing exhibitions. Monitor and analyze scope
and budget against time and resources.

- Utilize project management best practices, such as detailed project schedules, budgets, and communication platforms, to ensure high-quality exhibitions result, completing on time and on budget.

- Liaise with all stakeholders to ensure they are well represented and incorporated within a strong team environment.

- Coordinate meetings, set agendas and ensure information is regularly shared as appropriate, to keep all stakeholders moving forward.
Develop high-level budget estimates.

- Work with Finance on the final exhibition budget, monitoring actuals versus budget, and report on final project cost versus plan.

- Participate in regular forecast meeting with the department and Finance.

- Review and approve all invoices related to assigned exhibitions submitted by departmental staff.

- For assigned exhibitions, manage implementation onsite at the Museum, including calling regular meetings, monitoring activity on the floor, and overseeing budgets.

- Troubleshoot any problems that arise during the course of the exhibitions installation and alert senior staff to any significant trade-offs to ensure an exhibition is completed on time and goal.

- Oversee use of an assigned exhibitions space during changeover and during the run of the exhibition.

- Work closely with internal departments on the parameters for use of the space.

- Responsible for communication of key information to staff, and keeping staff updated on project progress.

- Liaise with other museums on touring exhibitions organized by SRGM or hosted by other institutions.

- Facilitate GAD (Guggenheim Abu Dhabi) projects as assigned.

- Track contract negotiations internally and externally, ensure smooth communication between external partners and internal staff, and monitor deliverables and contractual obligations.

- Assist the Senior Manager of Exhibitions in development of museum procedures related to the functioning of the exhibition program.

- Meet with/respond to inquiries from professional colleagues regarding the exhibition program, research/development, etc.

- Work closely with the Senior Manager of Exhibition Planning.

WORK DEMANDS and ENVIRONMENT:

-  Ability to travel within the metropolitan area as required to perform the above duties at any of the Guggenheims owned or leased properties upon request.

- Occasionally, work may be conducted outdoors, with exposure to varied weather conditions.

- Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays on occasion.

EDUCATION:

- Bachelors Degree required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

- REPORTS TO: Curator and Interim Director Curatorial Affairs Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project with a dotted line to the Senior Curator Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project.