Production Manager (2 Positions)

SUMMARY
The Exploratorium Exhibits group develops, designs, engineers, and produces interactive exhibits, architectural elements and visitor experiences that foster active engagement and learning - for our museum on the San Francisco Bay and our local community, as well as for partner organizations around the world. The Production Manager reports to the Director of Exhibit Production and is responsible for the day-to-day operation, administration, and supervision of exhibit and exhibition production on major projects. The Production Manager works with project leadership to integrate production with project management, design, and accounting.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Partner with project leadership to provide production management on major exhibit projects:
o Ensure deliverables being designed / developed are within the agreed-upon scope - otherwise flag for project management & help to strategize solutions.
o Determine and execute production strategy, including how to best utilize in-house resources as well as outsourcing.
o Create and manage detailed budget for exhibit development, engineering, and production pieces of the overall project; build and refine real-time estimates at the exhibit and gallery levels.
o Build and iterate the exhibits portion of the project timeline, including regular scenario planning and course correction.
Supervise exhibits group staff in the production of high quality, hands-on science exhibits:
o Develop and maintain short- and long-term schedules incorporating development, engineering, procurement, fabrication, finishing, and assembly in order to build and ship exhibits on time and within budget.
o Assign development, engineering, fabrication and assembly tasks; monitor progress and troubleshoot as necessary.
o Broker skill-sharing within and across project teams, facilitating nimbleness and efficiency in staffing.


As required by timeline, budget, and capacity, work with outsource partners to produce complete exhibits, including issuing RFQs (and collecting bids), editing/administering to contracts, gathering source assets, engineering review, and final QC check.
Work closely with production staff around procurement: ganging like parts for batch fabrication / finishing, vendor relations, inventory tracking, and maintenance of production database.
Identify and implement ways to support, streamline, and improve the exhibit production process.
Participate in engineering reviews and support engineering staff by helping to resolve production-related issues, exporting details from CAD models as required by outsource partners, etc.
Anticipate, raise, and resolve questions / disputes at the intersection of engineering and exhibition design.
Possible travel in the US and internationally to install exhibitions or oversee contractors.
Perform additional duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in a technical field (design, architecture, construction, engineering, etc.) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Three years of team leadership, management, or supervisory experience in a design/build setting (architecture, engineering, construction, fabrication, etc.). Significant experience in technical product and/or project management considered.
Demonstrated experience with outsourcing processes and management of subcontractors.
Ability to read, check, and suggest changes to working drawings including fabrication, mechanical assembly, and electrical schematics.
General understanding of electronics, mechanism assembly, and use of machine shop equipment.
Demonstrated proficiency with Gantt charts (Smartsheet); relational databases (FilemakerPro); Excel & Word; CAD (Autodesk Inventor preferred); and web-based collaboration tools like Basecamp, Jira/Confluence, and G-suite.
Strong ability to work both independently and in a group.
Excellent communication, administrative, managerial and organizational skills.
Ability to travel domestically and abroad up to several times a year.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
This position is open until filled

HOW TO APPLY
This is a regular, full-time (37.5 hours per week), exempt position that includes benefits. Please, no phone calls in regards to this job. To apply, please visit the Exploratorium job page.

https://exploratorium.applytojob.com/apply/0qRHeuozR6/Production-Manager-2-Positions?source=Getmuseumjobs

The Exploratorium is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity, inclusion and respect. We welcome and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.