Director of Exhibit Development

Discovery Place is seeking an experienced professional to lead exhibit development across our family of museums.

The Director of Exhibit Development will be responsible for the overall development of new exhibits across the organization. This role will lead the creative and strategic planning, content development, design, and implementation of innovative and engaging exhibits that align with the museum's mission and goals. They will work closely with various departments to ensure exhibits are educational, interactive, and appealing to diverse audiences. The Director will report to the Chief Exhibitions and Experiences Officer and supervise project management and exhibition design roles.

Discovery Place operates multiple museums in the Charlotte region including Discovery Place Science, Discovery Place Kids Huntersville, and Discovery Place Kids Rockingham. Additionally, Discovery Place is expanding, building the Charlotte Museum of Nature which is currently under construction, and Discovery Place Kids Matthews which is in the initial stages of development. This new role will have the unique opportunity to create brand new exhibits and experiences in a wide variety of museums.

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Lead the ideation and development of new exhibits and experiences that reflect the museum’s educational goals, community relevance, and visitor engagement strategies.
• Partner with the content development teams for Science and Nature, and Children's museums to develop exhibition vision and narratives.
• Collaborate with the Chief Exhibitions and Experiences Officer to align exhibit initiatives with institutional priorities and strategic plans.
• Conduct research and stay updated on current trends and best practices in exhibit development and museum education.
• Champion inclusive design and accessibility in all exhibit experiences.

Project Planning & Execution

• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, including timelines, milestones, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate with internal teams (content developers, educators, designers, fabricators) and external stakeholders (contractors, artists, consultants) to ensure timely and on-budget delivery.
• Oversee the full exhibit lifecycle, ensuring adherence to quality standards and institutional values.
• Track and organize project documentation, including permits, contracts, and design files.

Budgeting & Financial Oversight

• Create and manage exhibit development budgets, including cost estimates for design, fabrication, and installation.
• Monitor expenditures and financial performance, providing regular updates to senior leadership.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization without compromising quality or visitor impact.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise and mentor exhibit development, project management, and design staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Lead regular project status meetings and ensure clear communication across departments.
• Delegate tasks effectively and ensure team members are supported in their roles.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a primary liaison with external partners, including designers, contractors, and community collaborators.
• Review and manage contracts and agreements with outside vendors.
• Represent the museum in public presentations, donor briefings, and professional forums as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Education, Design, Architecture, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in exhibit development, preferably in a science or children’s museum.
• Demonstrated success in leading complex, multidisciplinary exhibit projects from concept to completion.
• Strong project management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and team coordination.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Passion for science, education, and community engagement.

Core Competencies:

• Visionary thinking with a strong sense of visitor-centered design.
• Solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve challenges.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to equity, innovation, and collaboration.

Uphold the values of Discovery Place:

• Science leads us.
• Integrity guides us
• Equity drives us
• Innovation energizes us

Physical Demands:

• Regularly lift and/or move up to 25 lbs., occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
• Excellent manual dexterity.
• Visual accuracy.
• Regular travel to other DPI museums will be required.
• Occasional travel out of state may be required.

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities of this job.  Other duties may be assigned.