Senior Exhibit Developer [Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ]

Description

Your Role

As Senior Exhibit Developer at Liberty Science Center (LSC), you develop dynamic and engaging exhibits that interpret STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concepts through audience-focused, interactive experiences.  The responsibilities include: project managing and collaborating effectively with teams to develop new projects and renew existing exhibitions for Liberty Science Center—and occasional external clients—and supporting traveling and temporary exhibitions. The Senior Exhibit Developer reports to the Exhibitions Development Lead.

About You

You self-identify as a science geek and have an insatiable curiosity about all things STEAM. You can synthesize complex concepts into experiences, narratives, and environments that connect people to science topics through interactions, conversation, and shared experience in memorable ways.  You are especially interested in new technologies, immersive experiences, and hands-on interactive exhibits. You are empathetic and deeply interested in people as end users . You are a skilled researcher, an effective communicator, and a storyteller.  Your sense of humor, flexibility, and generous nature makes you a valuable member of a collaborative team. A creative thinker, you are able to think big but can also focus on the details and easily navigate and manage multiple projects.

Essential Functions

Develop rich, interactive exhibition experiences that represent the latest scientific research and understanding, and fulfill our mission to provide meaningful and compelling experiences for guests.

• Develops engaging exhibits that meet the needs of visitors, lead to compelling experiences, and ensure the success of LSC’s informal education mission.
• Identifies exhibit objectives and topics; write story lines and treatments.
• Researches educational, scientific and technological content for exhibits.
• Works with exhibit designers on the development of exhibit ideas and environments.
• Works with graphic designers on preparation of interpretive and instructional graphics.
• Works closely with other Liberty Science Center staff as part of a cross-divisional exhibition teams.
• Writes and edits content and exhibition panel copy and multimedia scripts
• Cultivates and works with external advisors, contractors and experts to help develop content, assure content accuracy, and other support.
• Conducts exhibit prototyping and, as required, visitor evaluation studies.
• Reviews exhibition design drawings and graphics for accuracy.
• Prepares and delivers oral and written presentations to communicate the projects.
• Prepares and participates in review bid packages for project vendors (fabrication, multimedia, etc.).
• Prepares and provides project marketing content and presentations for prospective funders and other externals.
• Procures artifacts and in-kind donations.
• Conducts visual media research and negotiate visual media acquisition.
• Manages and maintains exhibit project documentation.
• Serves as project manager, as assigned, for all phases of exhibition development.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

1. Organization and project management across multiple simultaneous projects
2. Leadership that supports a collaborative work environment
3. Innovative problem solving
4. Excellent research capabilities
5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
6. Experience designing and conducting visitor evaluations
7. Demonstrated success as a project manager of a creative or technical team
8. Experience with budget management.
9. Proficiency with office computers and software, including MS Word, Acrobat, PowerPoint and Excel
10. Knowledge of new technology, multimedia and film production a plus.
11. Experience managing external partnerships or contractors

Supervisory Responsibility
As assigned, this position manages design staff, interns, freelancers and external vendors.

Work Environment

Liberty Science Center is located in a beautiful state park in Jersey City with easy access to free parking, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, and the NJ Path train. All employees have access to an on-site café, a terrace with stunning NYC views, and on-site yoga. The Senior Exhibit Developer will be assigned work space in an office that has an open floor plan, moderate noise level and a wonderful abundance of natural light.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The Senior Exhibit Developer needs to sit for extended periods at a desktop computer; however, time on the museum floors is necessary, especially during installation and evaluation phases of a project to observe how visitors experience the science center.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Some early morning, evening, and weekend hours will be required during peak work periods.

Travel
This position may require up to 10% travel.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Responsibilities can be modified at any time.

About Liberty Science Center 
LSC’s mission is to excite learners of all ages about the power, promise, and pure fun of science and technology.

How to Apply:

Submit a thoughtful cover letter expressing your interest in and fit for the role, resume, and a relevant writing sample.

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Liberty Science Center (LSC) is committed to a diverse workforce. It is LSC’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Requirements

Desired Education and Experience

• Bachelor degree required;  advanced degree a plus. Strong background in science, technology or engineering preferred.

• 7+ years of strong exhibit development experience in a science museum, science center, children’s museum, or similar setting, creating interactive exhibition experiences for family audiences.
• 2+ years of project management experience that includes creating and managing complex budgets and schedules.