Associate Director Of Design And Art Handling, Cantor Arts Center

Associate Director of Design and Art Handling

Stanford University is one of the world's premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Silicon Valley employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world. In turn, the university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives. We believe Stanford's future success will be shaped by the diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture of its community.

Serving the Stanford University campus, the Bay Area community, and visitors from around the world, the Cantor Arts Center provides an outstanding cultural experience for visitors of all ages and a growing online audience of scholars. The Cantor's encyclopedic collection spans 5,000 years and includes more than 40,000 works of art from around the globe. An established resource for teaching and research on campus, the Cantor offers free admission and programs year-round. It is consistently one of the most visited university museums in the U.S. It is an exciting time to join the expanding team at the Cantor Arts Center. Join us as we build capacity to achieve the museum's goals within an equitable, collaborative, and creative work environment.

Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Associate Director of Design and Art Handling leads the planning and operations of the department and serves as Cantor Art Center's key advisor for exhibition design, fabrication, production, art handling, and installation. Promotes and implements a departmental and museum-wide understanding of best practices for design (2D and 3D), fabrication, production, art handling, and installation/deinstallation for the museum's temporary exhibitions and permanent collection installations circulating through approximately 50,000 square feet of dedicated galleries and public spaces. Working collaboratively with curators, artists, registrars, and museum staff, they will use innovative design and production techniques to develop and deliver attractive, engaging, and durable exhibitions that comply with the highest museum standards for object safety and visitor accessibility. This position will manage a team of experienced art and gallery preparation staff and contractors who are responsible for exhibition design, fabrication, graphic and didactic production, mount-making, gallery prep, art movement, lighting, AV coordination, and installation/deinstallation. This position is responsible for cultivating a professional, collaborative, and results-driven culture that fosters a spirit of continuous improvement and excellence across the department.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the planning and operations of the department and serve as the museum's leader for exhibition design development and delivery, promoting a departmental and museum-wide understanding of best practices for design (2D and 3D), fabrication, production, art handling, and installation/deinstallation
• Cultivate a professional and highly collaborative team culture, ensuring the highest standards of communication, accountability, and excellence in all departmental operations.
• Work collaboratively with curators, artists, registrars, educators, and museum staff to develop and produce attractive, engaging, and durable exhibitions that comply with the highest museum standards for object safety and visitor accessibility
• Oversee the design, fabrication, gallery preparation/turnover and installation/deinstallation of exhibition elements including display furniture, environmental treatments, mounts, didactics and labels, painting and/or reskinning of perimeter and mobile walls, lighting, A/V, and interactive components (mechanical, digital)
• Develop, implement, and update the standards and written guidelines for the full range of design, fabrication, and art handling efforts, embracing high museum standards, industry best practices, and safety regulations
• Continuously research, evaluate, and incorporate trends and innovations that improve and strengthen processes and practices for effective exhibition design and production
• Serve as the principal designer for assigned projects, overseeing all phases of design from concept through deinstallation
• Develop and produce design packages and submittals for review and/or approval including technical drawings, floor plans, and digital renderings including object layouts, wall treatments, mobile walls, casework, mounts, didactics, A/V and digital media displays, and lighting. Review and approve output and submittals produced by staff and contract designers
• In close collaboration with the Project Manager of Exhibitions and Publications and the Associate Director of Registration, manage the logistics and scheduling of design and production efforts, ensuring timely completion and smooth installation.
• Demonstrated ability to use project management software (Airtable preferred)
• Develop and lead training workshops for exhibition design, fabrication, production, gallery preparation, and art handling that reflect industry best practices, are OSHA and ADA compliant, and meet safety regulations.
• Represent the Cantor's exhibition design and art handling programs to internal and external stakeholders, campus partners, and within the arts sector, positioning the museum as a leader in the field
• In close collaboration with the Director, Deputy Director, and Project Manager for Exhibitions and Publications, develop and manage project budgets ensuring projects are completed on budget, on time, within scope, and meet the quality standards of the Cantor
• Formulate and administer the department's annual operating budget and financial transactions, including monitoring, analyzing, reporting, and approving expenditures. Participate in out-year budget planning for exhibitions and department operations. Collaborate with Development and exhibition planning teams on exhibition-related grants and fundraising proposals
• Work with project teams and preparator staff to oversee the purchase and maintenance of equipment, materials, and inventories for exhibition needs
• Oversee and direct the day-to-day efforts of staff to schedule and perform various tasks and assignments. Set and monitor performance goals, standards, and accountability. Interface proactively and collaboratively with all museum departments and central units
• Supervise bargaining unit staff responsible for exhibition design, fabrication, mount-making, matting and framing, gallery prep, art preparation and movement, lighting, AV coordination, installation/deinstallation, routine maintenance of all galleries and installation spaces (cleaning, light replacement, paint touch-up, etc.)
• Work with external contractors to schedule, fabricate, produce, deliver, and install design and display elements
• Work with preparator staff to oversee the cleanliness and organization of the workshops (fabrication, matting/framing, mounts), and supply areas. Manage the inventory of exhibition furniture stored onsite and offsite. Uphold an up-to-date and accurate inventory of all tools, equipment, and supplies
• Work in partnership with the Collections team to advise on, direct, and/or assist with, the receiving, handling, crating/packing, movement, and storage of artworks
• Other duties as assigned

Please note that this position will be based on the Stanford campus and will be considered an onsite role. This position may need to work extended or non-standard hours, weekends and holidays based on business needs. The role is a 3-year fixed-term position with an anticipated end date in March 2029.

In order to be successful, you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. Extensive experience working at a major museum, art gallery, or cultural center with museum loans is preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and supporting an inclusive environment
• Demonstrated experience with building a culture of professionalism and collaboration at the highest level, driving teams to consistently achieve exceptional results.
• Demonstrated experience in comprehensive design process for museum installations, including staffing and team coordination, scheduling and budgeting, and overall design phasing and document packaging/preparation
• Demonstrated experience supervising designers, preparators, bargaining unit employees, and external contractors. Ability to operate with individual initiative and creativity while delegating to and mentoring staff is preferred
• Strong portfolio showcasing previous design projects and creative work
• Strong working knowledge of various design software applications such as Vectorworks, AutoCAD, or REVIT, 3D Studio MAX, Rhino, Sketchup, Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project), and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator)
• Working knowledge of Experiential and Universal Design concepts and applications, and of ADA guidelines
• Demonstrated experience of the care and handling for fine art objects
• Extensive knowledge of fabrication and construction methods and art handling and installation techniques
• Working knowledge of electrical practice, electronics, and mechanical installations
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with senior leadership, museum project teams, and a variety of vendors
• Ability to work effectively and systematically on several projects simultaneously, meeting exhibition schedules on time, within budget, and meeting quality standards
• Ability to think abstractly and design creatively within a variety of public spaces. Ability to coordinate and graphically communicate design ideas and assemble presentations
• Demonstrated effective communication skills, both