Exhibits Workshop Manager

Reports to:      Director of Exhibits

Department:   Exhibits Workshop Manager

FLSA Status: FT, Exempt

The statements below reflect the general details considered necessary to describe the major responsibilities of the identified position and are not to be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job. An asterisk (*) indicates that this is an essential function of the job as outlined in the American with Disabilities Act.

Position Overview:

 

The Exhibits Workshop Manager oversees fabrication and production of exhibits, as well as daily exhibit workshop operations for Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC). The tenant of this position collaborates with Exhibit Designers to determine technical design and prototyping strategy during various points in Design Phase and Production Handoff, and s/he collaborates with Project Managers and Designers to plan for and actualize schedules, personnel, and budgets for large-scale exhibits projects (e.g., full galleries, large traveling exhibits), as well as individualized fabrication projects (e.g., for external clients or individual components). S/he also executes smooth handoff to installation teams to ensure on time, high- quality exhibits.

 

The Exhibits Workshop Manager ensures that production standards and safety standards are being met within the Exhibits Workshop through regular checks and benchmarking of final built components, as well as evaluations of temp staff performance and progress. In the long term, this position helps to determine ongoing temp staffing for the department, advising on new temporary staff needs and permanent staff training needs.

 

Throughout each cycle of project development, the Exhibits Workshop Manager communicates about project progress, and adjusts workflows as needed to ensure completion of galleries on time, on budget, and in alignment with Cincinnati Museum Center’s mission and its brand

 

Responsibilities/Duties:

Staff Management – 25%

Accomplishes staff results by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; developing, coordinating, and enforcing systems, policies, procedures, and productivity standards.

• Provide direction to exhibit fabricators for best use of tools, techniques and materials as the specific project requires.

Production Management – 25%

• Administer and lead schedule of checkpoint exhibits production meetings. Summarize content of collaborative checkpoint sessions, relaying steps to move projects toward progress.
• Work with Project Managers and Designers to establish fabrication scopes of work, enumerating roles, staffing plans, estimates, and required resources in consultation with vendors, Exhibit Coordinators, outside design firms and the Director of Exhibits.
• Develop and execute a prototyping plan and benchmarks in consultation with Project Managers, Designers, and other members of Exhibit Development Core Teams.
• Develop, schedule, monitor, and adjust staff assignments, resource allocations, project timelines, sequencing, and deadlines, communicating progress to Project Managers.
• Work with Project Managers to coordinate and administer a five-year master schedule of production and completion for large-scale exhibits.
• Coordinate with Project Managers to develop, monitor, and evaluate project budgets vs. expenditures.
• Administer production schedules, offering intervention, assistance, and adjustments as needed.
• Work with Designers, Project Managers, and Production Managers to spec and order materials.

 

Shop Management – 25%

• Maintain through the implementation of a checklist the day-to-day materials and supplies inventory. Order inventory as needed within a timely fashion.
• Maintain shop and gallery installation tool kits.
• Perform/delegate a daily clean-up process and prepare the workshop for the tasks of the next day with a visible checklist for staff to see.

Standards Management and Quality Control – 25%

• Establish and summarize production quality standards and checklists for Cincinnati Museum Center design and fabrication projects based on applicable industry standards for woodworking, cabinetry, and welding.
• Establish and summarize safety standards and checklists for Cincinnati Museum Center design and fabrication projects,

 

• Implement a scheduled maintenance program for shop tools, equipment, and machines including: band saws, table saws, chop saws, compressors, spray booth, welding equipment, drill presses.
• Reinforce Cincinnati Museum Center exhibit production quality standards via staff testing, performance reviews, and production checks, with input from the Director of Exhibits and other internal staff as required.
• Work with project teams to develop and distribute RFQs and/or RFPs to prospective external fabricators.
• Evaluate exhibit-related contracts and agreements with vendors and contractors based on internal production quality standards.
• Reinforce Cincinnati Museum Center safety standards via staff testing, performance reviews, and production checks, with input from the Director of Exhibits and other internal staff as required.

Education and Experience:

• 5 years minimum experience in carpentry, cabinet making and using typical woodworking shop tools (critical, with parallel career experience considered).
• 5 years minimum work experience in one or a combination of the following: industrial design and fabrication, set design and fabrication, interior design and fabrication, museum studies, fine art (critical).
• 5 years minimum experience managing a production shop and teams of fabricators. Previous experience as an Exhibit Builder, Master or Journeyman Cabinet Maker, and/or Installer is highly desirable and preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Deep knowledge of foundational fabrication practices (carpentry, metalworking, CNC routing, 3D printing, finishing), and strong base of knowledge to articulate and reinforce best practices among work teams (critical).
• Knowledge of electrical codes, building codes, and ADA accessibility requirements (critical).
• Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, Word, and Outlook, as well as Adobe Suite applications.
• Experience using Microsoft Project, SmartSheet, or project management application equivalent preferred.
• Experience working in museums, public education, or cultural heritage disciplines.
• Must have ability to read and work from building plans, scaled designs, and construction drawings. Design experience in theater, museum, or film settings a plus.
• Ability to lead, take initiative, work autonomously (critical).
• Superb organization, professionalism, and project organizing confidence (critical).
• Short and long lead Deadline driven, with ability to manage time and organize tasks efficiently (critical).
• Commitment to superior workmanship and a safe, orderly work environment (critical).
• Collaborative spirit aimed toward making great ideas actionable (critical).
• Passion for working in a fast-paced, team centered nonprofit environment in Cincinnati (critical).
• Strong communication skills and thorough attention to detail (critical).
• Ability to lift a minimum of 70 pounds (critical).
• Valid driver’s license and reliable mode of transportation (critical).
• Forklift use required
• Ability to load and drive a typical 18’-26’ box trucks

Additional recommended skills may include:
• Audio/visual production skills (e.g., digital audio and video machines, digital projectors, digital cameras, and DVD players), familiarity with Flash Card Media, video/DVD & audio editing, Macromedia Flash.
• Computer skills including Sketchup, Vectorworks (CAD a plus), and file transport software (e.g., Dropbox)

Applicants may apply online at https://goo.gl/DULgmy