Description

Organization

Located on the SMU campus in Dallas, Texas, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is a nonpartisan institution advancing the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. The Bush Center comprises the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and the George W. Bush Institute, a solution-oriented policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies through policy solutions and public engagement. The Bush Center also houses the George W. Bush Presidential Library, operated by the National Archives and Records Administration, which provides access to official documents and artifacts from the George W. Bush Administration. Learn more about the Bush Center at bushcenter.org. 

Essential Responsibilities

The George W. Bush Presidential Center is seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join our team as the Manager of Exhibitions and Collections for the George W. Bush Presidential Museum. Working closely with the Director, George W. Bush Presidential Museum and leadership, this role will play a critical role in overseeing the coordination and execution of exhibitions, as well as the care, documentation, and display of artifacts.

Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to:

Special Exhibitions:

• Responsible for the development, coordination, and project management of the Bush Museum’s dynamic and engaging annual special exhibit program in support of the Bush Center’s overall mission.
• Lead internal working groups to ensure broad organizational alignment with the content developed for new special exhibitions.
• Manage external design, construction, and installation contractors that support the special exhibit program.
• Research and write exhibition text for object case labels, panels, credits, and exhibit support materials.
• Develop and execute special exhibitions program within the allocated budget.
• Plan and coordinate the logistics of packing, crating, and shipping of loaned objects for the special exhibition program.
• Maintain a comprehensive inventory of display cases, audio, visual, and other assets for use in the special exhibition program.
• Provide appropriate training and materials for each special exhibition to Bush Museum docents.
• Ensure proper conservation standards for objects in the special exhibition through environmental monitoring controls.
   

Permanent Exhibitions:

• Work closely with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) regarding loaned objects from the NARA collection for display in the permanent exhibition.
• Lead the planning and execution of any planned permanent exhibition updates.
• Identify and monitor permanent exhibition maintenance in partnership with third party vendor.
• Develop and execute a permanent exhibition maintenance program within the allocated budget.
• Ensure proper conservation standards for objects in the permanent exhibition through environmental monitoring controls.
   

Collections Management:

• Oversee the Bush Center’s growing collection of owned and loaned objects including maintaining and updating digital catalog records to reflect detailed object information and documentation.
• Direct the scheduling and oversight of contract art handlers, condition reporting, movers, and couriers for objects as needed.
• Manage incoming and outgoing object loans, including generating and oversight of loan agreements for special exhibits, displays, and permanent gallery object loans.
• Update facility report, collections policy and plan, and other related documents as needed.
• Manage outgoing object loans, including generating and oversight of loan agreements for objects loaned to other cultural institutions.
• Update facility report, collections policy and plan, and other related documents as needed.
• Ensure proper environmental standards for objects on display and in storage through environmental monitoring controls.
   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

 The qualified candidate will possess (a/an):

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum of 2-5 years of progressive experience in museum exhibits and collections.
• Excellent management, decision making, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of museum best practices, standards, and trends in the museum field.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Possess a thorough, working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, museum catalog management software, environmental monitoring systems, and project management tools.
• Flexibility to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.
• Operate with a make-it-happen spirit, collaborative style and possess the ability to thrive in a team-based environment.
• Commitment to the mission and vision of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. 
   

The George W. Bush Presidential Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position.  

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit stationary at a desk and use computer equipment.

Position:              Manager, Exhibitions and Collections

FLSA Status:        Exempt

Reports to:          Director, George W. Bush Presidential Museum

Department:        Finance and Operations

Division:              Bush Museum