The Design Museum of Chicago is searching for a full-time Executive Programming & Operations Director — a Scottie Pippen, one could argue — who will play an integral role in the management of our exhibitions, events, special projects, and operations. This is a leadership position that reports to and works very closely with Tanner Woodford, our founder and executive director — who is more of a Phil Jackson than a Michael Jordan. Anyway, that’s about as far as our sports references get us.

What type of person will excel in this position?
We’re looking for: a passionate, self-motivated, and design-minded problem solver; a creative thinker that can also tap into the left side of their brain; a detailed project manager that enjoys empowering and helping their colleagues; a person that cares deeply about Chicago and all of the people that live here; a wearer of many hats; a cautiously optimistic entrepreneur; and a big thinker comfortable in a small team. The museum’s work is approachable, collaborative, passionate, surprising, and clever. A successful candidate will share these values with us.

What are the challenges? 
We are a small, new-ish museum, and are constantly working on raising funds and visibility. Projects have modest budgets, so we work to keep costs low by elevating humble materials. Though we work on special projects, we are often our own client, and deadlines are self-imposed. Project management can be complex and a challenge. 

What else? 
This is a full-time, salaried position at $65,000/year. We offer a SIMPLE IRA plan match up to 3% annually, and a flexible vacation policy. You’ll work with a collaborative team and have a lot of agency over your work. You’ll play a lead role in designing programs and planning exhibitions, and will collaborate with a wide variety of partners across Chicago. There are no two days that are alike at the Design Museum, and you’ll meet and collaborate with some of the most incredible people in the city. Oh, and we’re generous with scheduled holidays, and close the last week of the year. 

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Tanner Woodford at tanner@designchicago.org by May 3, 2021.

 

What are the responsibilities?

  • Exhibitions/programs management (people & process)

    • Coordinating and managing teams and team schedules for exhibitions and special projects, including staff, contractors, and other partners.

    • Program planning

      • This includes planning and management of lectures, workshops, openings, etc. organized by museum staff as well as supporting the museum’s yearly gala organized by the Events Committee of the Executive Board in collaboration with the Executive Director

    • Content and data management

      • Gathering and communicating content with internal and external team members for exhibitions, events, and special projects

      • Gathering and maintaining content and data for grant reporting

    • Audience evaluation

      • In person and digital

  • Scope Management

    • While this is partially related to schedule, goes beyond just schedule management. It also includes evaluating and determining what, when, and how the team can complete and accomplish projects while balancing internal and external needs. 

  • Manage recruiting process, including interviews, contracts, and communications

  • Direct Interns (as needed) and Administrative Project Manager (future hire)

  • Managing earned revenue-related projects 

    • Currently, this is primarily focused on retail payout and contracts but could evolve in the future

  • Lead weekly staff meetings

  • Managing day-to-day operations of museum

    • Bill pay, insurance, assisting contracted accountant and auditor, licenses, memberships

    • Updating public-facing operations information (phone, website, social media) 

  • Assist in gallery and pop-up exhibition installations and de-installations

  • Other projects as identified

About the Design Museum of Chicago

The Design Museum of Chicago educates, inspires, and fosters innovation through design and exists to change how people, their families, and communities experience and engage with the world by making design approachable. Our work celebrate the breadth of design, 
creators and disciplines, contextualizes the significance of 
design throughout society, and connects diverse cultures and perspectives 
with the broader design ecosystem.

Design is more than a source of inspiration. It is an integral tool that connects communities and creates equity. Through free, short-term exhibitions, engaging public programming, and robust partnerships with hundreds of other arts, academic, and non-profit organizations, the Design Museum contextualizes and humanizes design's influence in everyday life. Design surrounds us. It impacts our worlds deeply, affecting everything from our quality of life to our interactions with our neighbors. Bringing design to a relatable, human level allows us all to better understand the power of design.

Founded in 2012, the museum began as an entirely volunteer-run organization that planned and executed pop-up exhibitions. To date, we have mounted 17 exhibitions and hosted more than 180 public programs for over 150,000 visitors. All of our exhibitions are free and open to the public, and most programming is also free or low cost. Today, we are 3 staff, 15 board members, and about 30 long-term volunteers who work closely with people and organizations across communities, disciplines, and audiences.

Our gallery is in the City of Chicago Expo 72 gallery at 72 E Randolph.
Our studio is on the 2nd floor of the Chicago Cultural Center.
Our pop-ups, partners, and programs are across Chicago and beyond.