Exhibition Project Manager II

At the Monterey Bay Aquarium we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. We firmly believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together increases our capacity to serve our visitors and fulfill our mission.âWe welcome people from all backgrounds into our team and strongly encourage people of color LGBTQ individuals veterans and people with disabilities to apply.

Priority deadline for applications is March 9 2026. Due to the volume of incoming applications the role may be closed earlier than March 9 2026.

Job Summary:

Under general supervision manage small to medium exhibition projects from initial planning and design through construction and installation. Responsible for overall project communication and coordination to deliver public-facing exhibition projects and public programs often in collaboration with Guest Experience & Education and generally without major life support components. Bring expertise to managing effective cross-divisional teams as well as subcontractors and consultants as appropriate. Perform other duties as required. The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the oceans. All work will be conducted in a way that promotes animal welfare environmental sustainability as well as a sustainable culture of diversity equity and inclusion.

Core Activities:

• Develop and manage project plans (e.g. project objectives action plans responsibility charts detailed requirements etc.) for small to medium public-facing Exhibition projects from design through construction.
• Develop and manage scope schedule budgets and estimates and identify resources needed for exhibition projects.
• Update key project documentation throughout each project.
• Produce quarterly status reports related to progress budget and schedule developing risk mitigation strategies at all phases.
• Participate in collaborative processes (e.g. brainstorming feedback and decision-making sessions creative development workshops and retrospective reviews).
• Schedule and host cross-functional project meetings across multiple departments and divisions managing overall project communication and coordination.
• Track project deliverables (from content design animal care exhibit fabrication and general construction) against project requirements (e.g. scope timelines budget) from initial planning through completion.
• Review the work of other staff and project managers throughout the Aquarium working on Exhibition projects to obtain necessary approvals from others.
• Communicate expectations across key stakeholders to individual team members to ensure deadlines are met and quality standards are achieved.
• Develop scopes of work requests for proposal and award of contracts for subcontractors and specialty fabricators.
• Manage select subcontractors ensuring consistency and adherence to project parameters.
• Provide project support to larger Exhibition projects and other project managers including material and vendor research compiling data meeting notes or other project documentation support.

Preferred Knowledge Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• BA or equivalent combination of education training and experience
• Project Management certification or equivalent experience preferred
• Minimum 2-3 years of project management experience
• Ability to utilize general supervision or guidance from others to manage exhibition projects independently
• Knowledge of exhibition project management and visitor-centered museum practice
• Ability to keep creative and complex projects focused on track and in line with our goals and mission
• Leadership qualities with strong team building communication and active listening skills required
• Ability to learn facilitation and design thinking techniques
• Contributes to an open inclusive and collaborative environment on project teams for all disciplines to contribute their best work in line with project constraints and parameters
• Ability to build positive relationships with personnel from other Aquarium divisions leadership staff contractors and stakeholders
• Capable of adhering to critical project timing while using good judgment problem-solving skills and follow-through
• Ability to maintain safety standards on all site work for projects including internal staff and contractors
• Ability with training to work with contractors and to learn to recognize and direct remediation of common construction hazards such as elevated work confined spaces hazardous chemicals the hazardous release of stored energy
• Excellent computer skills (i.e. Google Docs preparing presentations creating budget spreadsheets database management email)
• Experience organizing and tracking project budgets from conceptual square-foot budgets and detailed estimates through cost-to-complete tracking
• Knowledge and experience reading and interpreting technical exhibit drawings
• Knowledge with construction and specialty exhibit fabrication
• Practical knowledge of Agile Waterfall and/or Spring project management methods
• Ability to work within and maintain Monterey Bay Aquariums Core Values

Physical Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions:

• Typical office equipment
• Constant sitting standing walking bending
• Occasional unassisted lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Typical office environment main aquarium and exhibits active installation and construction sites occasional offsite events and/or subcontractor visits

Annual Compensation Range:

$70304 - $82000 USD annually. Starting rate will vary based on previous experience and relevant skills/knowledge set.

Required Experience:

IC