Associate Director, Special Projects

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) include the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park, La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park, and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall. They operate under the collective vision to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds. The museums hold one of the world’s most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural history—more than 35 million objects—used for groundbreaking scientific and historical research, and community engagement. From NHM’s opening in 1913 as the very first museum in Los Angeles, the organization has entered an exciting new era of transformation with building projects and campaigns, exhibitions, community outreach and impactful audience engagement.

NHMLAC’s values—adventurous, inclusive, authentic, and intentional—guide our work and visitor experience, committing us to foster a welcoming, safe and respectful workplace environment where innovation and collaboration thrive and every team member can contribute their unique perspectives to advance our mission. NHMLAC seeks candidates who are aligned with our values and priorities, and are passionate about connecting science with the vibrant and diverse communities we serve throughout Los Angeles.

The NHMLAC is seeking an Associate Director, Special Projects for our Exhibitions department.  The Associate Director, Special Projects is responsible for working in collaboration to lead cross-departmental teams from project concept to completion, and beyond. The successful candidate will bring an organized and creative mind-set to the position. 

Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Project Management, Exhibition: Work with external exhibition design firm to manage and develop project plans (e.g. project objectives, action plans, responsibility matrix, detailed requirements, etc.) for capital project master plan from design through construction. Develop new (and refine existing) processes, standards, and procedures to implement strategic project goals completely and efficiently. 

• Collaborate and coordinate with LBTP Project Architect and facilities team to shepherd exhibits through facility impact assessment and contractor work, Historic Preservation Office review, plans examination, building, electrical, and fire inspection. 

• Manage subcontractors, ensuring consistency and adherence to project parameters. Subcontractors on large exhibition projects include the Engineer, Designers, General Contractor, Specialty Fabrication, and additional consultants, as required by the project parameters.

• Make regular inspections of construction projects and attend regular and special project meetings to assess progress against project goals and schedules, and ensure work is completed to contract specifications.  

• Budget and Schedule Management: Responsible for exhibition project schedules, budgets, contracts, vendor management, and for maintaining the team's digital collaboration tools. 

• Negotiate and manage exhibit related RFPs, bids, and agreements with external fabricators, contractors, and vendors.

• Manage the exhibitions budget and fabrication schedule in coordination with the building/construction budget and schedule. 

• Produce and present regular status reports related to progress, budget, and schedule, developing risk mitigation strategies at all phases.

• Interdepartmental Collaboration/Communication: Serves as an internal, cross departmental liaison for exhibitions and the museum’s representative for the project incl. with external partners, media outlets, donors, and other stakeholders, as needed. 

• Act as a spokesperson to communicate LBTP’s exhibits project goals and progress to stakeholders, staff, and administrative leadership.

• Communicate expectations across key stakeholders and provide constructive feedback informally and formally to individual team members to ensure deadlines are met and quality standards are achieved. 

• Ensure and communicate the team's adherence to established exhibition process and procedures, and work with the team to shape and refine these practices over the course of the project.

• Advancement: