Fast Facts

The Exploratorium is seeking a Production Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of exhibit production in our San Francisco museum, ensuring the successful development and implementation of interactive exhibits.

Responsibilities: Manage production on major exhibit projects, supervise staff, handle budgets, timelines, and ensure quality production while collaborating with project leadership and external partners.

Skills: Proficiency in project management tools, CAD, and team leadership; ability to read technical drawings and understand production processes essential.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a technical field and three years of managerial experience in design/build settings; strong project management and technical skills required.

Location: San Francisco, CA

Compensation: $97500 - $103350 / Annually

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 Manager, Production Group 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:
Ensure deliverables being designed / developed are within the agreed-upon scope - otherwise flag for project management & help to strategize solutions
Determine and execute production strategy, including how to best utilize in-house resources as well as outsourcing
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
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:
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
Assign development, engineering, fabrication and assembly tasks; monitor progress and troubleshoot as necessary
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 RFQ’s (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

Updated 02/10/2025

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

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to move from place to place, work at a computer for long periods of time, use general office equipment, lift and carry up to 50 pounds short distances
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 non-union position that includes benefits. The salary range for this role is $97,500-$103,350 DOE. Please, no phone calls in regards to this job. To apply, please visit the Exploratorium job page.

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.

Exploratorium

Piers 15/17, San Francisco, CA 94111

Website: https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs. No phone calls, please

The Exploratorium is committed to a diverse workforce.

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