Chief Officer for Exhibits and Environments

Description

Chief Officer for Exhibits and Environments (COE2)

Classification

Type: full-time, exempt position

Schedule:  Approximately 40 hours a week with occasional weekends, events, and holidays.

Scott Family Amazeum Overview

The Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive museum in Northwest Arkansas and recognized as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. We create a fun environment where risk taking, imagining, problem solving, discovery, collaboration, and exploration bring children and adults together to learn and grow. 

Core Purpose:  The Amazeum exists to spark and nurture the curious and creative spirit in all of us. 

Guiding Principles:
 

1. Active, Playful & Messy Nature of Learning
2. Curiosity, Creativity, and Risk-Taking
3. Trust and Authenticity
4. Community-Building
5. Passion for Powerful Guest Experience
6. Commitment to Belonging
    

Through experiences with the Amazeum, individuals and the community are engaged in building relationships and developing identities as creative, curious, and innovative shapers for the region. Learning at the Amazeum is an active, playful exploration that inspires curiosity. It is rooted in inquiry-based discovery and involves an element of risk. Hands-on learning opportunities allow guests to exercise critical thinking in the context of play. 

The Amazeum facility includes approximately 50,000 square feet of indoor space and one acre of outdoor exhibition and activity space. The museum is located at the intersection of Museum Way and J Street in Bentonville, AR.

 Position Summary

This position is directly involved in supporting the organization's purpose and achievement of key community impacts. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this is an executive-level position that provides visionary leadership and strategy in the design, development and installation of high-quality exhibits and experiences. The COE2 integrates best practices in informal learning and early childhood education with a rich array of interactive exhibits, lab and workshop facilities and other activity platforms. This role leads a team of dreamers, doers, and builders who create physical learning experiences not just for the Amazeum, but for a growing community of close partners and collaborators. This role has a visible public presence and successfully extends and sustains community relationships to advance learning environments through the region. The ideal COE2 is equal parts dreamer, planner, and connector, as well as a teacher & lifelong learner.

 Essential Functions

Organizational Executive Leadership

• Strategize with Executive leadership of the museum and the Board of Directors to set overall direction for the museum, ensuring that innovative exhibit leadership drives increased visitorship,  program revenue and donor engagement. 
• Maintain relationships with other museum/exhibitions professionals, consultants, vendors and community partners.
• Develop professional learning development opportunities for museum teams and volunteers to help advance the intellectual, skill, social, and cultural capacity of the overall team.
• Assist in the development of funding strategies, including grants, contracts, and proposals, that help secure resources for creative development at the museum.
• Be a learner - develop and model effective practices of lifelong learning and growth.

Creative Development of Exhibitions, Experiences, and Environments

• Assist in the execution of the museum Level Up strategy & expansion, working in close collaboration with the Sr. Exhibitions Manager, Facilities Manager, and the Project Manager, Construction and Exhibits. These positions report to the COE2.
• Constructs and/or oversees construction of temporary and permanent exhibits using a variety of materials; fabricates exhibit sets, learning props and furniture as required.
• Facilitate positive and effective collaboration in exhibit development with numerous stakeholders including contract designers, architects, fabricators, subject matter experts, educators, artists, community partners, and donors, analyzing and synthesizing project team discussions to provide innovative exhibit design solutions.
• Collaborates to develop and lead Amazeum exhibit development strategy. Ensure goals and objectives for content development and interpretive design are clearly established, reviewed at specified points in the process, and attained in the exhibition.
• Approach projects and work streams through the lens of the Amazeum’s commitment to belonging, making intentional progress toward inclusive, accessible, and representative exhibits and experiences.
• Manage a comprehensive departmental budget, complex schedule, and responsibility matrix to ensure efficient completion of the museum exhibition scope of work.
• Oversee the lifecycle of existing exhibits, ensuring regular evaluation, maintenance, and technology upgrades to sustain high-quality guest experiences.
• Ensure maintenance of a high-quality, safe, and welcoming facility and grounds.
• Position requires a flexible weekend and evening work schedule, with occasional domestic travel.
• Oversee the identification and hosting of temporary exhibitions, including leading the selection process with museum and community stakeholders.
• Oversee development and review of key administrative instruments, including contracts, insurance, logistics, etc.

Team Leadership

• Lead a creative and technical staff in the execution of daily and long-term responsibilities.
• Collaborate closely with internal departments and external volunteers on cross-functional teams to plan the goals, budgets and high-level logistics for all exhibit experiences at the museum or at outreach locations.
• Support staff development by mentoring team members, fostering professional growth, and providing opportunities for skill-building and career advancement.
• Provide a welcoming and collaborative environment that sparks interest and curiosity.
• Prepare overall personnel and operating budgets.

 Community and Collaboration Focus

• Develop a community network of fabricators and volunteers to collaborate in the development of new programs and exhibit ideas.
• Engage with the broader community, locally, regionally and nationally, developing and sustaining collaborative relationships with both formal and informal institutions to offer innovative experiences for audiences of varied ages and abilities.

General Duties

The responsibilities listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The Amazeum reserves the right to revise or change position duties and responsibilities as necessary to accommodate changing organizational needs.

Qualifications

 Minimum Requirements:

• BS/BA degree in education, science, mathematics, arts, or related field, OR commensurate working experience.
• 7 years of experience in exhibit development in a museum or similar setting.
• Portfolio demonstrating understanding of exhibit development principles, practices and concepts.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and fostering collaboration across internal teams and with external partners.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as within a strong, culture-rich team environment.
• Demonstrated agility and ability to organize and prioritize time and work streams for self, team, and organization.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficient with tools such as Google Workspace, MS Office Suite  Adobe Acrobat, and other common office software. 
  • Demonstrated proficiency in reading and interpreting floor plans, elevations, shop drawings, etc.
  • Demonstrated ability to engage instructional technology such as videoconferencing.
• Exhibit Fabrication Expertise:
  • General knowledge of commonly-used power and hand tools.
  • Experience maintaining a safe and organized workshop, including proper tool use, safety protocols, and awareness of potential hazards.
• Advanced verbal, presentation, and written communication skills.

All applicants must be able to:

• Provide the necessary documentation to prove that you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or a foreign national with authorization to work in the United States
• Complete and pass a background check

Physical Requirements

• Capacity to stand, walk, bend, stoop, and climb stairs as needed for site inspections, installations, and other exhibit-related activities.
• Ability to use tools, equipment, and materials for exhibit construction, repairs, or installations, including handling delicate or intricate components.
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 lbs, such as exhibit materials, tools, and program equipment.
• Comfortable working in varying conditions, including workshops, outdoor spaces, and on ladders, lifts, or scaffolding for exhibit installation and inspections, for extended periods.

 Preferred Skills:

• Experience communicating with varying audience levels to include general public, professional and C-level partners.  
• Demonstrated fabrication ability and materials-based knowledge in wood, metals and other media.
• Robust portfolio illustrating experience in exhibit and/or program development.
• Familiarity with and ability to use best practices in teaching and learning, such as hands-on, inquiry-based, and play-centered approaches.
• Ability to operate forklift, scissor lift, and other common conveyance equipment.
• Knowledge and experience working with 2D and/or 3D visualization tools such as Turbo CAD, Fusion360, Illustrator, SketchUp, etc.
• Experience with common digital fabrication tools such as 3D printing, CNC, laser cutting, etc.

How to apply

Submit your completed Amazeum application, your resume and cover letter, via the Amazeum Career Portal.

Salary : $75,000 - $90,000