Description

As a key member of the Exhibition Design Department, the Senior Manager of Exhibition Design works closely with the Director of Exhibition Management and Design to develop, from concept to execution, the design of temporary exhibitions and permanent collection galleries at both the de Young and Legion of Honor, and workflows and processes for Exhibition Designers. The Senior Manager of Exhibition Design must work well in a collaborative environment and have excellent management, organizational, and communication skills. This work requires working closely with many internal and external teams, including curators, artists, designers, project managers, conservators, registrars, and technicians.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received by Friday, January 30, 2026. We plan to launch the interview process in February.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develop an understanding of each assigned special exhibition to create sophisticated and engaging design proposals in close collaboration with design and curatorial colleagues.
2. Work closely and engage with Curators and/or Artists to ensure that the curatorial/artistic intent is interpreted spatially, visually, and organizationally in a compelling way.
3. Ensuring visitor experience while maintaining high standards for design, safety, and accessibility.
4. Prepare presentations that effectively communicate design ideas at every phase of the design process.
5. Produce design documents (plans, sections, elevations, renderings), case lists and schedules, and complete and detailed bid/construction drawing sets.
6. Prepare a set of “as-built” drawings at the end of every installation.
7. Participate in art installation to ensure the execution of design intent and to address design-related questions and issues.
8. Work with colleagues in the Exhibition Design and Technical Productions department to develop, coordinate, and source all design elements of an exhibition or display.
9. Work closely and communicate regularly with Collections Management/Registration, Conservation, Curatorial, Exhibition Management, and Preparation/Installation teams during the design, construction, and installation phases to incorporate any technical feedback regarding conservation, display, and construction requirements.
10. Manage Exhibition Designers (currently two) and, as assigned, interns or freelance designers. Provide technical input/oversight to ensure design and production standards are met.
11. In coordination with the Director of Exhibition Management and Design, make determinations on workload distribution for the entire department and assist with administrative duties as assigned.
12. Work closely with the Director of Exhibitions Management and Design to develop and improve workflows, processes, and design standards for the entire department.
13. As assigned, oversee and manage special (non-exhibition) projects and initiatives that require design or architectural input, such as seating improvements, casework upgrades, capital improvements to permanent galleries, etc.
14. Represent the Exhibition Design department at meetings and provide project updates as needed.
15. Actively participates in institutional working groups, as assigned, to ensure that Exhibition Design input and needs are taken into consideration.
16. Build strong relationships with other museum teams to ensure cross-departmental collaboration and goals are aligned with institutional strategy.
17. Build and keep good relationships with external vendors.
18. Maintain the departmental archives and resource library, including 3D models of casework inventory, 3D and 2D records of gallery spaces at both museums.
19. Work with the Exhibition Management team to develop and adhere to project schedules and budgets.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. A degree in Architecture is strongly preferred.
Preferred: M.Arch, 5-year B.Arch, or international equivalent.

Work Experience: 

Minimum of 5 years of cumulative exhibition design, architectural design, or interior design experience.
At least 3 of the 5 years should be direct exhibition design experience within/for art museums and include progressively increased managerial responsibilities.
Experience managing designers and leading multiple simultaneous projects.

Skills and Abilities

• Advanced skills in Rhino, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Knowledge of Revit, Enscape, and/or Cinema 4D is a plus.
• Knowledge of new materials and digital fabrication techniques.
• Ability to oversee the work of other designers and provide technical and design direction and input.
• Ability to work collaboratively and diplomatically with internal and external partners.
• A clear, direct communicator with the ability to present high-level executive summaries and effectively convey detailed technical information, data, and processes to construction partners.
• Contribute to a positive and team-oriented work culture.
• Comprehensive knowledge of architectural terms, symbols, and details.
• Ability to work according to strict deadlines and within established budgets.
• Ability to travel, take initiative, work independently, and be flexible with changing priorities.
• Ability to work onsite 4 days a week, and 5 days a week when there are project-specific needs.
• Knowledge of current ADA standards and guidelines for museum environments.
• Knowledge of the latest Conservation requirements and standards for the display of art objects.
• Knowledge of art history is a plus.

Additional

Schedule: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Hybrid schedules are a minimum of 4 days a week onsite, with the understanding that schedules may change based on operational needs. The workweek is Monday - Friday, 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week.

Compensation: The benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k), and paid time off. The annual salary range for this position is $105,000-$115,000. The final offer amount within this range will be based on experience and internal equity. 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received by Friday, January 30, 2026. We plan to launch the interview process in February.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources @ famsf.org.

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COFAM is the Corporation of Fine Arts Museums and is the privately funded non-profit corporation which supports the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, a department of the City and County of San Francisco.

COFAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all phases of employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Comprising the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, we are the largest public arts institution in the City of San Francisco and one of the largest art museums in the United States. The de Young, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and located in Golden Gate Park, showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa. The Legion of Honor displays a collection of over 4,000 years of ancient and European art including Auguste Rodin's The Thinker and houses the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts in a Beaux-Arts style building overlooking Lincoln Park and the Golden Gate Bridge.