Exhibitions & Events Manager Recruitment

Location: Santa Barbara, California Salary: $69,500 to $96,500 Employment Term: Full-time Employer Contact: [email protected]

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The UCSB Library’s Division of Learning & Engagement comprises several departments/programs focused on public service delivery and outreach, including Research & Engagement, Teaching & Learning, Makerspace, Access Services, Exhibitions & Events, Communications & Marketing, and Assessment & User Experience.

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Brief Summary of Job Duties:

Under general direction of the Communications and Marketing Manager, the Library Exhibitions and Events Manager is an experienced professional responsible for the strategy, planning, implementation, and assessment of a fast-paced calendar of Library public programming. The UCSB Library Exhibitions Program sponsors a rotating roster of exhibitions that showcase Library collections, present campus research and creative works, and/or enhance the cultural and intellectual life of the University and the larger community. The UCSB Library's Events Program includes the signature annual UCSB Reads common book program, faculty talks, exhibition openings, receptions, awards ceremonies, workshops, and other events geared to faculty, students, staff, and community members. The Exhibitions and Events Manager manages the overall budget for the Library Exhibitions and Events Program, and seeks additional funds and resources, when appropriate. The Exhibitions and Events Manager supervises a full-time Exhibitions and Events Assistant, who supports the day-to-day logistics for the Exhibitions and Events Program. The Exhibitions and Events Manager creates, distributes, and enforces Library exhibition and event policies and procedures, and ensures compliance with relevant UC and UCSB policies. The Exhibitions and Events Manager utilizes qualitative and quantitative assessment methods to present and recommend improvements to the Exhibitions and Events Program. With a high degree of autonomy, the Exhibitions and Events Manager scouts for programming ideas through information-gathering and deep Library and campus engagement, seeking collaborative opportunities to showcase UCSB research and creative work, to integrate the Library with the curriculum, and to situate the Library as a welcoming and active hub of campus life. The Exhibitions and Events Manager collaborates with Library Development staff on community and donor engagement programming. The Exhibitions and Events Manager applies best practices in exhibition and event planning and project management to ensure timelines and deliverables are met for high-quality public programming within resource constraints. They cultivate and manage relationships with invited curators and speakers, guests, advisory committees, Library program and service providers, campus and outside contractors, and UCSB and community partners. The Exhibitions and Events Manager serves as the Library's on-site representative at events, occasionally delivering welcoming remarks on behalf of the Library, or delegates on-site coordination to others. They use independent judgment to troubleshoot and resolve problems in a timely and sensitive manner. The Exhibitions and Events Manager works in a team-based environment with other Library External Affairs staff to promote the Library and engage diverse audiences.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• 4-6 years of professional event planning experience.
• 4-6 years of professional exhibition project management experience.
• Demonstrates good judgment in making decisions and managing events. 
• Highly developed interpersonal communication skills including political acumen and social perceptiveness. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate with diverse populations with competing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Program or project management experience.
• Budget management experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience in an academic or library setting. 
• Public speaking experience. 
• Professional certificate in event planning or project management or professional certificate in exhibition management or museum studies.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Occasional evening or weekend work.
• Satisfactory conviction history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 35% Program Management - Responsible for the strategy, planning, implementation, and assessment of the Library Exhibitions and Events Program. Approves and manages all Library exhibitions and public events, ensuring consistency and quality, as well as alignment with Library strategy. Manages overall Exhibitions and Events Program budget, following campus processes for contracts, catering, procurement, and recharges. Seeks additional funds and resources for exhibitions and events through grants, gifts, partnerships, and co-sponsorships. Creates, distributes, and enforces Library exhibition and event policies and procedures. Ensures that Library exhibition and event policies and procedures are compliant with relevant UC and UCSB policies. Continuously evaluates the Library Exhibitions and Events Program to determine its effectiveness, utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods. Submits annual reporting with statistics for Exhibitions and Events Program. Recommends improvements to the Exhibitions and Events Program based on data and professional practice. Works in a team-based environment with other Library External Affairs staff to promote the Library and engage diverse audiences.
• 15% Exhibition and Event Design - Scouts for exhibition and event ideas through information-gathering and creative partnerships with other Library departments/units, campus departments/offices and community organizations around shared themes and interests. Collaborates with UCSB faculty/instructors, Library employees, and others to develop Library programming that integrates with UCSB curricula. Seeks opportunities to involve UCSB faculty, staff and students in creation and implementation of exhibitions and events, including as curators, speakers, facilitators, etc. Advises Library staff on exhibition and event design. Solicits feedback from stakeholders to inform exhibition and event design. Collaborates with Library Development staff on community and donor engagement exhibitions and events.
• 20% Exhibition Planning and Production - Provides comprehensive planning and management oversight of temporary exhibitions and displays, from idea to implementation. Utilizes project management skills and tools to coordinate and communicate with multiple parties contributing to exhibitions. Defines, maintains, and enhances appropriate spaces, equipment, and supplies for exhibitions in the Library. Reviews and approves exhibition proposals, and maintains an exhibition planning calendar. Manages relationships with exhibition curators, graphic designer, advisory committees, Library program and service providers, campus and outside contractors, and UCSB and community partners. Creates and disseminates tools, resources, documentation, and templates to support exhibition curators. Work with curators to shape exhibitions for general audiences.
• 20% Event Planning and Production - Provides comprehensive planning and management oversight of Library public events, from idea to implementation. Utilizes project management skills and tools to coordinate and communicate with multiple parties contributing to events. Leads annual campus-wide UCSB Reads program, including chairing the Selection Advisory Committee. Identifies, invites, and negotiates with campus and guest speakers. Manages relationships with invited speakers, guests, advisory committees, Library program and service providers, campus and outside contractors, and UCSB and community partners. Serves as on-site representative of the Library at public events, occasionally delivering welcoming remarks, or delegates on-site coordination. Troubleshoots and resolves problems in a timely and sensitive manner.
• 5% Staff Supervision - Supervises a full-time Events & Exhibitions Assistant, including hiring, training, mentorship, and evaluation. Assigns and prioritizes work. Reconciles and approves timecards.
• 5% Other - Contributes to Exhibitions Program as needed. Cultivates expertise in event design, planning, and production, and brings informational and training opportunities to Library employees engaged with events. Serves on Library committees and contributes to special projects as assigned.