Exhibitions Project Manager

Description

The Exhibitions Project Manager is responsible for managing the design, development, and implementation of innovative and ground-breaking exhibitions. This role requires a creative, collaborative, and strategic thinker with a passion for building immersive experiences and one who can participate in the hands-on exhibit process as needed. Reporting to the COO, this position will proactively project manage all aspects of exhibits from inception to installation, including creation of installation timelines, developing and tracking project budgets, arranging for and scheduling all vendor activity, ordering necessary materials, and communicating expectations clearly to all involved parties. This role is responsible for managing long-standing successful annual exhibitions such as Garden Lights Holiday Nights and Orchid Daze as well as annual temporary large-scale outdoor art installations at both the Atlanta and Gainesville gardens.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with the CEO and COO to develop exhibition schedule and long-range plan by researching exciting and innovative exhibits and features for the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville. 
• Plan and manage all activities pertaining to the installation and dismantling of exhibits including management of internal and external exhibition teams.  
• Successfully negotiate contracts with vendors and partners to ensure ultimate protection of the garden’s interests.
• Provide timely, accurate and precise project status reports to Chief Operating Officer.
• Work with the internal and external exhibition team to manage all vendor activity associated with the installation and removal of exhibitions.  
• Develops and adheres to 7-figure departmental annual budget
• Uses skills, an eye for aesthetic quality, understanding of the ABG expectations as well as artist and/or landscape designer vision to assess installations as they are happening and make corrections as necessary to achieve the expected results.
• Is flexible and enjoys trouble-shooting and problem-solving issues as they arise during installation and dismantling of outdoor exhibits.
• Build lasting relationships with installation companies, logistics providers, heavy equipment vendors, contract employees and other suppliers and contractors to source and insure necessary resources are in place for a variety of installation needs.  
• Develop scope of work statements for vendors use in the quoting process. Must understand the needs of the installation in order to partner with the correct vendors.
• Plan, communicate, and work with other departments in the garden to create a successful installation process managing expectations garden-wide throughout the installation process.
• Prepare project reports, conduct informational meetings for staff and vendors.
• May be required to work nights and or weekends and holidays to support a specific exhibition.
• Performs other duties as required to support the overall mission and vision of ABG.

The above job duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory of all duties required of employees in this job. 

Requirements

• Proven self-starter, with strong management experience within the execution of exterior and interior exhibits, requiring minimal supervision with the ability to anticipate upcoming needs, define potential problems and address before issues arise.
• The successful candidate will have a keen eye for aesthetics, possess excellent managerial and communication skills, and be extremely detail oriented.
• Background shall include at least 7 years of related experience in project management, or other related fields.
• Ability to interpret ideas and sketch designs for financial, installation timelines, materials, logistics, etc.
• Ability to develop, manage and work through cost estimates on new projects.
• Must be able to manage tight timelines or challenging situations with a positive outlook.  
• Must be able to execute one project while planning the next few.
• Strong preference for someone with the ability to read prints and schematics as well as communicate in technical construction and heavy equipment installation terms.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as the skills to document processes, inventories, & resources used for each project.
• Preferred applicants will have intermediate knowledge of display design, and basic familiarity with plants.
• Only those applicants demonstrating successful multi-tasking of planning and execution of projects while working with internal resources and staff will be considered.
• Strong initiative