Head of Exhibitions | Houston, TX

Head of Exhibitions 

JOB PROFILE 

JOB SUMMARY 

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, serves as a welcoming and inclusive place for all people, connecting the communities of Houston with diverse histories of art spanning 5,000 years and six continents. Through our permanent collections, special exhibitions, learning and interpretation programs, studio instruction, publications, conservation and scholarly research, we strive to inspire appreciation and understanding of the broadest spectrum of human achievement.  

In this context, the museum seeks a new Head of Exhibitions. Reporting to, and working closely with, the Director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), the Head of Exhibitions will manage the complex set of activities, relationships and decision-making involved in bringing exhibitions to fruition, balancing the visions of multiple departments and stakeholders against the practical realities that shape what the public ultimately sees. The Head of Exhibitions is responsible for implementing a comprehensive exhibitions program that includes temporary exhibitions and the installations and rotations of the permanent collection; for managing all stages of exhibition development from concept to installation, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation for multiple projects underway at the same time; for managing and tracking the museum's overall exhibitions budget; and for coordinating and communicating effectively with the many internal and external stakeholders necessary to produce high-quality exhibitions and programs in a cost-effective manner.  

The Head of Exhibitions will manage a team of three—two Senior Exhibitions Coordinators and one Exhibitions Administrative Assistant. As a member of the Senior Management team, this position will liaise closely with the CFO, COO and CDO to create and carry out the MFAH’s exhibition and installation program, managing an annual exhibitions budget that ranges from $3–$5 million.  

This position requires a person who is able to manage complex logistics, competing demands and multiple stakeholders with grace, diplomacy and decisiveness while also being a listener, able to pivot, and open to the ideas of others. The ideal candidate is someone who can maintain a detailed calendar, communicate clearly with relevant parties, troubleshoot unforeseen problems effectively and enjoys working closely with many different kinds of personalities. This position requires a leader who will foster a creative and collaborative work environment while keeping projects on budget and on time and raising up the mission and objectives of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.  

Responsibilities 

• Lead planning and coordination for all exhibitions, liaising with all stakeholder teams across the museum including Curatorial, Conservation, Registration, Preparation, Production, Design, Engineering & Facilities, and Image Services, among others.  

• Manage the exhibitions office, assigning projects and tasks as necessary and liaising with senior coordinators to plan and schedule and manage workflow and budgets. 

• Set and manage all logistical requirements, budget requirements and fund allocations and make sure that they are closely aligned with the MFAH’s exhibitions team to guarantee the smooth and effective execution of exhibitions and installations (i.e. on time and within budget). 

• Create and finalize exhibition budgets and monitor actuals versus budget, reporting quarterly on final project costs. 

• Prepare content for quarterly Trustee Exhibitions Committee Meetings.  

• Maintain long-range exhibition schedules and budgets. 

• Maintain cordial and collaborative relationships with the museum’s ten curatorial departments. 

• Partner with executive staff on long-term planning for the exhibition and installation program. 

• Exemplify a leadership style that engages stakeholders and staff, enhances the visitor experience for a diversity of audiences, and continues to amplify the museum’s role in the community. 

• Provide clear communication of exhibitions, schedules, and budgets to staff throughout the museum. 

• Develop and coordinate traveling exhibition tours, including preparing proposal materials, identifying potential tour venues, establishing terms, and managing shared cost tracking and reconciliation. 

• Oversee the development of all necessary contracts, including exhibition agreements, artist agreements, and professional service agreements. 

• Develop and maintain a national and international network of partnerships with other institutions. 

• Recruit, hire, train, manage and mentor staff; promote and reward excellence and collegiality; provide ongoing support and guidance to maintain a motivated and dedicated team. 

• With MFAH staff support, review and develop audience and engagement metrics that can inform new program and event opportunities and improve the impact and relevance of exhibitions. 

• Take on other special projects or initiatives as they arise. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• BA in art history, museum studies or related field, MA preferred. 

• At least eight years of exhibition experience in roles of responsibility at a museum or cultural nonprofit. 

• Brings a robust knowledge of exhibition concepts and practices; can provide analysis to better help MFAH meet its goals for innovation and audience engagement. 

• Extensive knowledge of exhibition development and implementation— including project management, budgeting, and contracts—is essential. 

• Strong financial management skills and demonstrated success with operational budgeting and reporting. 

• Strong leadership and organizational skills, and up-to-date on new and emerging exhibition trends.  

• Verbal and written communication skills; strong interpersonal dexterity to engage and communicate effectively with internal and external museum professionals, staff, and visitors. 

• An understanding of and daily commitment to diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. 

• Ability to multitask, prioritize, adapt to changing situations, and collaborate with a diverse implementation team. 

• A calm personality who can ably negotiate. 

• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams). 

EXTRAS 

• A thought leader; someone intellectually curious, deeply interested in the connections between art and culture and how those are manifested in a museum experience. 

• An articulate and dynamic manager with proven success in developing cooperative and effective relationships with stakeholders and staff. 

• Knowledge of a foreign language is beneficial. 

COMPENSATION 
Salary range begins at $125,000. Final compensation and title will reflect seniority and experience; experienced candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The MFAH offers attractive health insurance and pension benefits (see details below). 

Equal Opportunities for All 

The MFAH believes that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to the organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to the organization and who uphold our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence. 

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact SearchandRef@museum-search.com. 

Benefits 

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance; life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance.  

The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories: Paid Time Off; Reserve Time Off (for extended illness); Holidays (10); and Volunteer Time Off (up to 40 hours annually). 

Other Benefits 

• MFAH Retirement Savings Plan: eligible staff contributing to the plan may receive up to a 5% matching contribution after one year. 

• MFAH free family membership. 

• Discounts on store purchases, food ad courses. 

• Metro commuter subsidy available upon request. 

Learn more here: https://www.mfah.org/about/careers/ 

HOW TO APPLY 
To apply in confidence, please email: 1) Cover letter expressing interest in this position, giving brief examples of past experiences and salary requirements, 2) Resumé or curriculum vitae, 3) Names and contact information of at least three references and your professional relationship, to Connie Rosemont, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference at: SearchandRef@museum-search.com by September 27, 2023. Early applications are encouraged and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. References will not be contacted without prior permission of the applicant. Nominations are welcome. 

ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON  
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston functions as an integrated visual arts experience centered in one of the nation’s great cities. Counted amongst North America’s largest museums, MFAH has an encyclopedic permanent collection spanning more than 5,000 years of history with nearly 80,000 works from six continents. The main campus encompasses 14 acres in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, with buildings contributed by world-renowned architects housing permanent collections; 300,000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition spaces; a variety of horticultural features and visually stunning gardens, fountains and outdoor exhibition areas; restaurants and arts-themed retail shops; school, classrooms, research and lecture hall facilities; archives, libraries and conservation facilities; and administrative offices. The MFAH employs some 660 permanent and temporary staff. Four hundred docents support the educational mission, and 1,500 volunteers support a broad range of MFAH activities. The annual budget is approximately $80 million, and the Museum welcomes approximately one million visits annually at the Sarofim Campus and its nearby house museums Bayou Bend and Rienzi. 
 
ABOUT HOUSTON, TX 
Houston is America’s fourth largest incorporated city with a population of approximately 2.2 million people, situated in a metropolitan region comprising 7.2 million residents. Founded in 1837, it has become America’s most diverse city. As a cosmopolitan metropolis with a thriving economy largely driven by the oil and gas industry, it is also a significant hub for medical research and technology startups. The Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex globally, is based in Houston, five minutes from the Museum District. Houstonians are actively involved in supporting the arts and various charitable causes, and the city is renowned for its philanthropic spirit. With a majority-minority population, Houston is home to a wide array of communities. The city boasts international arts, culture, music and dining scenes and includes a museum district, botanical gardens, a zoo, a theater district, opera, ballet, and more. The museum district alone attracts millions of visitors annually. Houston's cost of living is much less expensive than that of peer cities like Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles. Residential neighborhoods inside the loop offer the convenience of having everything within reach, and Houstonians are warm and welcoming. The climate is sub-tropical, and the winters are mild. Summers are warm, but AC was invented in Houston!