Associate Director of Collections and Exhibitions | Houston, TX

Holocaust Museum Houston 

Associate Director of Collections and Exhibitions 

Job Description 

Position summary: The Associate Director of Collections and Exhibitions is responsible for the management of all aspects of collections and exhibitions which includes the planning, design, implementation, and installation of all permanent and temporary exhibits for the museum galleries and other spaces. As well as overseeing the direction and implementation of the Permanent Collection in support of the museum’s mission. HMH’s Permanent Collection includes art and artifacts, archives/institutional archives, and oral testimonies. This position is also responsible for keeping Holocaust Museum Houston’s accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums within best standards and practices.  

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Collections:  

• Oversees the organization and care of the museum collection using best practices.  

• Negotiate, arrange, and occasionally transport loaned objects.  

• Management of budget, development of departmental policies and procedures (Strategic Plan, Collections Management Policy, Interpretative Plan, Collections Plan, Conservation Plan), and other administrative duties.  

• Oversees acquisitions of artifacts and archival materials, accessioning/de-accessioning, preservation/conservation, incoming/outgoing object loans, interpretation, text, and label writing. 

• Supports the development department with information related to grants. 

Exhibitions:  

• Oversee the Changing Exhibition curatorial and administrative duties including the planning and implementation of exhibits. 

• Manage and develops all budgets related to permanent, changing, and traveling exhibits. 

• Research and maintain a log of all potential temporary exhibits to present to the Changing Exhibits Committee. 

• Manage and develop the rotating exhibits calendar.  

• Review/negotiate all contracts for incoming changing exhibits. 

• Responsible for designing exhibit layouts for all changing exhibits. 

• Plan, design, and produce exhibit related labels, text, signage, graphics, and publications for the museum. 

• Oversees the layout and display of all exhibit related objects. 

• Manages all outside vendors for installation, paint/gallery maintenance, and printing of all exhibit graphics. 

• Coordinate all exhibit related logistics such as safe packing and transportation of objects/artwork. 

• Manage all exhibition-related events, including exhibition opening receptions/private receptions, artist/curator lectures or remarks, and docent training sessions. 

• Markets and manages all logistics related to the travel of in-house curated exhibits to other institutions. This includes contract negotiations, shipping, layout assistance, and on-site installation. 

• Facilitate/lead the quarterly Changing Exhibits Committee meetings.  

• Works directly with the Public Programs department to plan appropriate programming based on current exhibits. 

• Works closely with the Building Manager to ensure the upkeep of all exhibit spaces. 
  
  

Required Skills 

• Experience in project management and organization. 

• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently. 

• Excellent communication skills. 

• Experience with SketchUp software. 

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products and database management; Past Perfect desirable. 

• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and problem solve with ease. 

• Creative, responsible, personable, and self-motivated. 

• Possesses a high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to meet deadlines. 

• Experience with social media, digitization and website applications. 
  
  

Qualifications and experience: 

• Education required: minimum bachelor’s degree. 

• Master’s degree in history, museum studies, or a related field preferred. 

• Two to three years of experience in a history museum environment involving collections management and object handling, preferred. 

• Two - three years of professional museum exhibitions experience. 

• Knowledge of AAM museum standards and best practices, exhibitions related responsibilities and exhibition preparation preferred. 

• Bilingual in Spanish a plus, but not required. 

• Must possess a valid Texas State driver’s license. 
  
  

Physical requirements: 

• Able to climb ladders, kneel, crouch, and reach with hands and arms in any direction. 

• Able to move heavy objects and use basic tools. 

• Able to sit or stand for long periods of time. 
  
  

Salary Range: $65,000 to $75,000 commensurate with experience 

Reports to: Chief Learning and Interpretation Officer 

Directs: Collections Manager, Registrar, volunteers/docents, occasional interns, and vendors.  


To Apply:

Applications should be sent with a cover letter to jobs@hmh.org

Please include Associate Director of collections and Exhibitions in the subject line.