Museum Exhibition Project Manager

Career Guide

A Museum Exhibition Project Manager plans and delivers exhibitions from concept to opening day. They coordinate people, budgets, schedules, lenders, fabricators, and internal museum teams to ensure the exhibition is engaging, safe, on time, and within budget.

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Key Responsibilities

Build and manage the exhibition project plan, timeline, and milestones
Coordinate cross functional teams including curators, designers, educators, and operations staff
Manage budgets, purchase orders, and vendor contracts
Run project meetings, track decisions, and communicate updates to stakeholders
Oversee object logistics including packing, shipping, and installation planning
Coordinate loan requests, lender requirements, and documentation
Ensure compliance with safety, accessibility, and conservation requirements
Manage production with fabricators, graphic vendors, and installers
Handle risk planning and issue resolution during planning and installation
Support opening readiness including signage, training, and maintenance plans

Top Skills for Success

Project Planning

Schedule Management

Budget Management

Vendor Management

Contract Management

Stakeholder Communication

Team Coordination

Risk Management

Problem Solving

Accessibility Standards

Exhibition Production Knowledge

Object Handling Protocols

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Exhibition Project Manager

Exhibitions Manager

Head of Exhibitions

Director of Exhibitions

Operations Director

Transition Opportunities

Producer

Project Manager Program Manager Visitor Experience Manager

Facilities Project Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Cost EstimatingContract NegotiationChange ManagementInstallation PlanningDocumentation ManagementAccessibility Standards

Development SuggestionsBuild a portfolio of timelines, budgets, and run of show documents. Seek installation experience on site and shadow an object movement lead. Practice vendor bidding and cost estimating on small projects before managing large builds.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 50,000 to 65,000

Mid LevelUSD 65,000 to 90,000

Senior LevelUSD 90,000 to 120,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, with hiring tied to capital projects, major exhibitions, and renovation cycles. Skills in budgeting, vendor management, and accessible visitor experiences are increasingly valued.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

The Metropolitan Museum of ArtSmithsonian InstitutionAmerican Museum of Natural HistoryThe Museum of Modern ArtThe GettyScience Museum GroupTateVictoria and Albert Museum

Industry Sectors

Art MuseumsHistory MuseumsScience MuseumsChildren’s MuseumsCultural Heritage OrganizationsExhibition Design StudiosFabrication and Build ShopsUniversities and Campus Museums

Recommended Next Steps

Create a sample exhibition project plan with milestones, dependencies, and risks

Build a budget template and track a small internal project end to end

Learn museum loan and shipping workflows and document checklists

Strengthen vendor management by running at least one request for quote process

Develop accessibility knowledge and apply it to labels, media, and physical layout

Join professional networks and attend exhibition planning meetups and conferences