For over 40 years, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and the Leslie Science & Nature Center have been creating moments of discovery that inspire curiosity, exploration and respect for STEAM and the natural world. Our Museum and Nature Center sites, outreach programs to school classrooms, and digital distance learning programs provide opportunities for people to explore the world around them.
We encourage our team members to be curious, foster innovation, visualize the big picture and take the lead when creating and implementing strategies for achieving our mission. As the Director of Exhibits, you’ll advance our mission by leading the vision, design, fabrication, and maintenance of every exhibit experience across our organization. You will set the long-range exhibit plan, manage the Exhibits team and workshop, and ensure that visitor experiences are safe, accessible, durable, and aligned with our values and priorities.
This position reports to the President & CEO and directly supervises three full-time Exhibits team members while collaborating with colleagues across the organization and external partners.
How you’ll contribute:
• Lead institutional thinking related to the design, implementation, and refinement of exhibits. Collaborate with other staff leaders to create and advance a multi-year exhibit master plan that supports the organization's mission and strategic vision.
• Set and manage exhibit operating and capital budgets, including project budgets, timelines, and resource allocation, to ensure projects are completed efficiently and within scope.
• Work collaboratively with Development and Finance to secure appropriate funding for exhibit projects and track project costs and long-term needs.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor the Exhibits team, including three full-time team members, and oversee the work of exhibit-related volunteers. Build a team culture that values craft, safety, experimentation, and visitor focus.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, designers, and fabricators, including contract oversight, project coordination, and deliverables.
• Oversee the design, prototyping, fabrication, installation, maintenance, and evaluation of interactive exhibits, exhibitions, and galleries.
• Ensure exhibits meet applicable safety standards, accessibility requirements, and durability expectations.
• Manage an ongoing exhibit maintenance program that includes regular inspection, cleaning, repair, redesign, enhancement, and rebuilding.
• Maintain safe working conditions for exhibit-related construction, finishing, and repair. Conduct periodic safety checks of exhibits and the areas in which exhibits are developed.
• Stay informed about industry research, new exhibit techniques and approaches, and opportunities to collaborate with like-minded organizations.
• Participate in the on-duty staff rotation, staff meetings, and required organizational events, including volunteer recognition, membership, and fundraising events.
• Participate in the Visitor Experience Committee, collaborating with leaders from Exhibits, Education Programming, and Operations to provide the best possible visitor experience.
• Attend meetings of the Board of Trustees and board committees as requested.
• Contribute to and advance our Core Values: Champion Excellence; Embody the Learner; Facilitate Flexibility; Invite Optimism; Provide Opportunity; Think Globally; and Inclusivity.
Experience and qualifications you bring:
We acknowledge that people bring all of themselves to their work, and your perspective, talents and skills may come from a wide range of work and life experiences. Your qualifications may include paid work, volunteer work, projects in a different field, or other experiences that have helped you build the competencies and knowledge needed to be successful in this role. We welcome and encourage diverse perspectives combined with a spirit of collaboration and community. We excitedly anticipate your application.
• Bachelor’s degree with a strong command of physical sciences, museum studies, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of five years of experience developing hands-on exhibits and observing exhibit functionality and visitor behavior.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize competing demands, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic planning, and management skills.
• Ability to work collegially and collaboratively within a small organization.
• Excellent customer relations orientation and strong written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred experience and qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in science, science education, technology, museum studies, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience working in museums or nonprofit organizations.
• Established relationships with vendors and other external resources supporting quality exhibit design and fabrication.
• Mastery of 3D CAD software for exhibit design.
• Skilled fabricator in metals, plastics, and wood, with demonstrated experience using appropriate tools.
• Understanding of materials used in exhibit development and their practical applications.
Salary and Benefits
This is a full-time, exempt position that includes access to a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental healthcare, paid vacation & sick days, 9 paid holidays, retirement plan, EAP, membership discounts and more! The salary range is $82,000 - $90,000, commensurate with experience.
Application Process & Timeframe
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Initial phone interviews will commence in December 2026. We anticipate second round interviews to be conducted in January 2027 with a start date to be determined upon acceptance of offer.