Project Manager, CMNH

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of the four Carnegie Museums, is among the top natural history museums in the country. It maintains, preserves, and interprets an extraordinary collection of artifacts, objects, and scientific specimens used to broaden understanding of evolution, conservation, and biodiversity. Carnegie Museum of Natural History generates new scientific knowledge, advances science literacy, and inspires visitors of all ages to become passionate about science, nature, and world cultures. Carnegie Museums is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.
 

This Full-Time position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums' many Benefits. 

Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.

The Project Manager is a key part of an interdisciplinary team creating museum experiences that make learning inspirational and accessible, and that show the interrelationship between humanity and the rest of nature.

The Project Manager coordinates exhibition content development, design, graphics, production, and installation for both in-house, traveling, and temporary exhibitions. They perform ongoing project management, including (but not limited to) leading exhibition team meetings, representing the team at Museum-wide and inter-departmental meetings, and ensuring that exhibitions are on schedule and on budget. They are the conduit of information between the exhibition team and other Museum departments and the Museum’s main contact with outside partners on these projects. As needed, the Project Manager acts as the Museum’s spokesperson to the press and media for these exhibitions.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, and 5 years of project management experience is required. Experience working on exhibitions, or in a field related to anthropology, science, or education is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience holding non-direct reports accountable for tasks.
• Experience or familiarity with industry accepted project management concepts and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with and coordinate diverse teams of internal stakeholders as well as with external vendors in a creative, multidisciplinary, and fast-paced environment.
• Experience with creation and reviewing contracts, budgets, and schedules.
• Demonstrated organizational, planning and project management experience with exceptional attention to detail and communication skills.
• Experience with of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.) required. Other project management software (such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, Asana etc.) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills (interpersonal, public speaking, and written)
• Embraces working with people of different cultures, nationalities, and localities, and cares about making museum experiences accessible to a wide variety of communities.

• Exhibits positive, professional manner, and helps build team spirit. Actively seeks opportunities for team building and growth.
• Facilitates positive interpersonal dynamics on the team; works as needed with individuals and the group to help eliminate roadblocks.
• Equally supports all team members in their roles of design, production, development, etc. Encourages communication between team members. Ensures quieter team members can be heard. When there are dissenting opinions, encourage team members to clearly articulate their differing points of view and work toward resolution. When needed, drive the team toward decisions to reach closure.
• Ability to work with limited supervision.
• Ability to work with and maintain confidential information.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:The staff sits is in a non-confined office-type setting in which they move about at will. The environment for this position is clean and comfortable but includes minor annoyances such as noise, odors, drafts, etc. While performing their work, the employee:

• Will spend substantial time utilizing the computer.
• Will spend time in exhibition galleries and storage closets as needed.
• Must travel via personal vehicle or public transport to off-site meetings and facilities.
• Operate a computer using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.) and other project management software (such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, Asana etc.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND Accountabilities

• Contracts: Works with Director to draft project-related contracts and works to ensure contract compliance
• Budgets: Works with Director to guide team to meet budgetary goals
• Schedules: Assists in the creation of multi-year project schedules, status reports, checklists.
  
  
• Project Team Lead:
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Organizes meetings and develops agendas and ensures that all team members are aware of deadlines and specific deliverables.
• Documents decisions and next steps, and notes when team members will bring deliverables back to the team. Sends project status emails and correspondence to appropriate internal/external project team members.
• Ensures project documentation is complete, current and stored appropriately.
• Reinforces institutional goals for the project and makes sure the team is responsive to these goals, which form the starting point in the conception of the project.
• Facilitates the team throughout the exhibition development, design, production, and installation process (detailed below).
  
  
• Installation/Deinstallation Coordination:
• Hires and coordinates temporary exhibition preparators and provides relevant documentation and information to entire installation/deinstallation team including exhibition technicians, temporary exhibition preparators, and staff from other institutions.
• Coordinates traveling exhibition deliveries, staffing, and scheduling internally and externally working closely with Exhibition Technical Manager.
• Works with Exhibition Technical Manager to create and maintain installation/ deinstallation schedule, punch list, and budget.
• Coordinates installations/ deinstallation with Director of Exhibitions and Design, Exhibition Technical Manager, Project Coordinator, FP&O, Security, Visitor Services, Science Sections, Special Events, Learning and Community, and the Directors Office. Keeps these internal stakeholders informed, as needed, as project progresses.

• Internal and External Communications:
• Works with Director of Exhibitions and other team members communicate, adhere to, and refine exhibition processes across projects.
• Acts as spokesperson for the team to other museums, departments, and outside groups. Serves as a conduit of information into the team from these sources.
• Works closely with museum Directors to best position the team’s work within the institution; prepares team and individual team members (as needed) for presentations.
• Coordinates with community groups, vendors, contractors, and suppliers.

Expecting starting pay range, based on experience, $45,000-55,000

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.

Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Females / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity

The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.   

*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities.  An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job.  When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below.  Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive.  If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function?  The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often?  Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential.  G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it?  If so, it is more likely to be essential.