Exhibit Manager

Title: Exhibit Manager (Term Contract)

Location: Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, PA (eligible for remote work up to 1-2 days per week)

This position is a term contract working full time (35 hours per week) through December 31, 2029.

Purpose of the Position 

Serves as the project manager for the Exhibiting New Perspectives on Religion in U.S. History grant project, funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc., to develop innovative and impactful traveling, digital, and onsite exhibitions at the Presbyterian Historical Society. Contributes to the development of exhibitions from creation through installation and evaluation. Liaises with external consultants, contractors, and host venues.

Responsibilities:

1. Provides project management for the development, implementation, and evaluation of traveling, digital, and onsite exhibitions.
2. Leads the PHS Exhibit Team. Creates agendas, schedules, and leads project team meetings with staff and external consultants.
3. Contributes to the planning and development of exhibits from ideation through installation and evaluation to ensure connection and relevance for target audiences; works with the PHS Outreach Specialist on connecting PC(USA) congregations and mid councils to exhibits.
4. Manages project budgets and timelines. Proactively adjusts budgets and milestones as the scope of work is finalized, ensuring that all projects stay on schedule and within budget constraints.
5. Liaises with external consultants and contractors, including securing designer, curator, fabricator, and any other necessary professional service agreements and contracts. Researches service providers, solicits proposals for contracted work, and makes recommendations to the Executive Director.
6. Coordinates traveling exhibits with host venues.
7. Reviews and proofs designs and copy created by exhibit consultants.
8. Assists with exhibit installation and deinstallation, as needed.
9. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor or the Interim Unified Agency.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Museum Studies, History, Public History, or a related field strongly preferred.
• At least three years of experience with exhibition work in an archives, library, or museum setting. Knowledge of exhibition design and construction and experience working with exhibit vendors. 
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and written and oral communications skills. 
• Excellent computer skills with strong command of Microsoft Office suite: SharePoint, Word, Excel, Outlook. 
• Proven ability to work in a consultative and collaborative style. 
• Demonstrated commitment to value differences and the benefits derived from working with a broad range of people. 
• Fluency in English.
• Project management experience preferred, including management of budgets. Strong interest in/enthusiasm for American Religious History.

Helpful Skills: 

• A deep understanding and commitment to cultural and racial ethnic inclusiveness. 
• Values diverse groups, ethnicities, genders, communities, cultural constituencies and points of view. 
• Able to relate well to people from all walks of life and of varying theological perspectives. 
• Able to speak one or more languages other than English is very helpful.

Sensory or Physical Requirements: 

• Sight and hearing required. 
• Ability to use the computer for extended periods of time. 
• Ability to communicate via telephone and via Zoom and other computer technologies. 
• Ability to travel as scheduled.

Benefits Information:

We believe a balanced life, with time for work, leisure, and spiritual nurture, makes us healthier and more productive colleagues at the Presbyterian Center. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees including Medical, Dental, Pension Plan, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP),  403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, Vacation Days, Sick Days, and Paid Holidays.

Overview of the Presbyterian Historical Society

The Presbyterian Historical Society is the oldest denominational archives in the United States and serves as the national archives for the Presbyterian church (U.S.A.) and its predecessor denominations.  The society’s holdings include more than 250,000 titles reflecting the history of the Presbyterian tradition in America and over 30,000 cubic feet of official records and personal papers. These include records of congregations, presbyteries, synods, and General Assembly agencies of the current and some predecessor Presbyterian and Reformed denominations in America.

Presbyterian Historical Society Mission Statement

The Presbyterian Historical Society leverages its collections and archival work to galvanize the transformative power of history in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and wider community. 

The Interim Unified Agency Commitment:

The Interim Unified Agency seeks applicants who value differences and the benefits to be derived from working with a broad range of people.  Ability to work in a consultative and collaborative style within and across agencies, councils, and governing body lines.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) A Corp Commitment:

Our faith in God inspires our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and is grounded in scripture, the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and actions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is committed to being not only an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the U.S. government, but with the inclusion of gender identity and sexual orientation as well.

Candidates from Presbyterian communities in the global south and other historic Presbyterian Communities of Color, preferably with theological training and fluency in languages other than English, are encouraged to apply.