Traveling Exhibitions Manager

About the role

The Traveling Exhibitions Manager leads the planning and execution of Art Bridges’ Traveling Exhibitions program, providing day-to-day oversight of logistics, schedules, and partner communications across a portfolio of exhibitions. This role works closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to manage complex, cross-functional projects from proposal through closeout.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Traveling Exhibitions program, including assessing and prioritizing departmental workflows, delegating responsibilities, and ensuring timely completion of projects and deliverables.
• Support the department’s strategic plan by setting measurable goals, tracking progress, and delivering results while advancing operational effectiveness across the program.
• Support national initiatives through cross-functional collaboration with leadership and key stakeholders.
• Develop and update department policies, workflows, project plans, timelines, and milestones in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Lead high-priority traveling exhibition projects and other exhibition-related initiatives from planning through closeout, including cross-functional collaboration, partner coordination, risk management, and issue escalation to support successful project execution.
• Develop and manage department and project budgets; track expenditures, generate financial reports, review and process invoices, and proactively identify risks and recommend budget adjustments as needed.
• Maintain accurate project records in Asana, SharePoint, and Salesforce.
• Advance sustainability initiatives through environmentally responsible packing, shipping strategies, and climate-conscious loan agreements aligned with lender requirements.
• Work collaboratively with organizers, lenders, and borrowers to facilitate the planning and implementation of traveling exhibitions.
• Support the department director with proposal development, review, evaluation, and the preparation of timely data, updates, and supporting materials for board reporting and presentations.
• Plan and facilitate meetings; develop agendas, distribute notes and action items, and support cross-functional communication and coordination across exhibition initiatives.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships and collaborate with Marketing and program leadership to promote exhibitions, improve coordination, and support venue engagement.
• Develop, adapt, and oversee exhibition contracts; monitor lender and borrower compliance to ensure obligations are met and on schedule.
• Compile and distribute exhibition materials to venues, including budgets, checklists, interpretive content, and installation guidance.
• Support venue funding applications, including review, budget feedback, and approvals coordination.
• Travel domestically as a courier when needed to support exhibitions, artwork installations, and partner institutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in fine art, art history, museum studies, arts administration, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 5–7+ years of progressively responsible experience across exhibition project management, operational coordination, partner engagement, budgeting, and cross-functional collaboration within museums, cultural institutions, nonprofits, or similarly complex organizations, with 2+ years of experience leading and developing direct reports.
• Experience managing exhibitions, timelines, contracts, budgets, and cross-functional coordination in complex project environments required, along with experience with art handling and installation processes, condition reporting, gallery layouts, and current museum standards and best practices.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously, and maintain strong organizational oversight and accuracy in fast-paced environments.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify operational challenges, develop practical solutions, and exercise strong attention to detail and risk awareness.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners to achieve project goals, timelines, and operational objectives in a collaborative environment.
• Enthusiasm for expanding access to American art and engaging communities across a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including SharePoint, Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint, along with experience using project management and collaboration platforms such as Asana, Salesforce, or similar systems.
• Experience with or the ability to quickly learn specialized software systems such as TMS, Workday, Orange DAM, Canva, and Trainual.
• High level of professional integrity and the ability to handle sensitive issues and situations with discretion.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, remaining adaptable and resilient.