Project Manager
About the Design Museum
The Design Museum of Chicago (DMoC) was created 11 years ago to showcase how design improves our lives and brings people together. We elevate the value of design in our individual and collective lives by partnering with Chicago communities to celebrate our rich and dynamic design legacies, while using innovative design to build better futures. DMoC celebrates the breadth of design and creators from a multitude of disciplines, studies the significance of design throughout society, and connects diverse cultures and perspectives within the broader design ecosystem.
About the Position
The Project Manager is a new position reporting to the Executive Director of Programming & Operations. It is an opportunity to grow with a small, vibrant staff in a dynamic cultural arts and museum setting that is located in one of the nation’s most significant design and architectural cities. This role focuses primarily on the many facets of exhibitions, events, and special projects (like murals, catalogs, activations, and more), including developing and supervising schedules and budgets, assisting in concept development, prototyping, installation, and deinstallation.
The Project Manager will be an integral member of the team and take initiative in helping staff manage and streamline various projects. The candidate is a creative individual who is organized, results-oriented, and has great communication skills. The successful candidate will have a passion for arts, culture, and community building and be excited to help the organization achieve its ambitions.
This is a full-time, salaried position at 40 hours per week. The schedule is flexible, and the candidate will work a combination of virtual, at our offices at 72 E Randolph in Chicago, and on-site at installations.
Responsibilities
Acts as Project Manager for all projects.
Project management
Participates in long- and short-term strategic initiatives in support of exhibitions, events, and special projects
Oversees and tracks production throughout the development, design, production, installation, and deinstallation process for exhibits, events, and special projects
Liaises with stakeholders to manage installation, buildout, maintenance, and deinstallation logistics; furniture; audiovisual components; security needs; lighting; and environmental and interpretive materials, including labels and wayfinding, visitor collateral, and other interpretation materials
Develop project management strategies for assigned projects.
Design and manage all aspects of planning, budgeting, and execution for several projects
Manage the program’s budget and schedule and provide project management while fostering collaboration, engagement, and equity across all teams and individuals
Organize meetings, develop agendas, document all decisions and next steps, and ensure all team members know deadlines and specific deliverables.
Develop timelines and track progress, including scope planning, content development, design, and logistics
Budgeting
Create and maintain the overall budget for each project
Forecast expense projections, create initial budget and scope proposals, and facilitate modifications as needed for approval
Collate, track, and report budget for programs and department expenditures
Communication
Coordinate exhibition, event, and special project content development, design, graphics, production, installation. and deinstallation for both in-house or traveling temporary activations
Contracting
Initiate, facilitate, and ensure compliance for artist agreements, and vendor contracts
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required. At least three years of museum experience producing/building exhibitions, and a background in anthropology, art history, design or a related field is preferred
Demonstrated commitment to design
Demonstrated organizational, planning, and project management experience with exceptional attention to detail and communication skills
Experience creating and managing budgets, contracts, and schedules
Extensive research, writing, and copy-editing experience preferred but not required
Proven ability to communicate complex ideas with a wide range of audiences
Exhibits a positive, professional manner and maintains strict confidentiality at all times
Self-motivated, natural leader, and comfortable working with small teams
Knowledge of standard Office suite software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.) with Google Apps experience preferred
Note: In order to protect the health and safety of our employees, guests and their families, DMoC is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Compensation
salary: $45,000–52,000 annually, depending on experience.
Job Type: Full-time, salaried.
Benefits include: Flexible vacation policy: 21 days per year. Healthcare stipend: $500 per month. SIMPLE IRA: matched up to 3% annually.
To Apply
Send your resume and cover letter to info@designchicago.org by Friday, July 14, 2023 at midnight.
Non-Discrimination Policy
DMoC does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
DMoC is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.