Senior Manager, Exhibition Design and Production

Location: – Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai

Reporting to: Deputy Director and Head of Exhibitions and Programmes

Line Managing: Exhibition Design and Production Coordinator, Logistics and Administration Coordinator

 Job Description
Based at the Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai, and part of Art Jameel’s global team, the Senior Manager, Exhibition Design and Production oversees all aspects of exhibition design and production, including exhibition layouts, build, exhibition furniture and user experience. This role also encompasses all spatial design across the Jameel Arts Centre, including inputting into the layout and design for the Art Jameel Shop, the Jameel Arts Centre Lobby, the Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park and any offsite locations and commissions. This role also includes working closely with artists on the design and production of commissions and exhibition copies. The Senior Manager, Design and Production sits within the Exhibitions Team, and directly manages the Logistics and Administration Coordinator for the shipping and movement of artworks as well as the Exhibition Design and Production Coordinator.

This is a pivotal role that interacts with team members across the organisation, working closely with colleagues from Operations, Visitor Experience, Exhibitions and Collections. This is a senior leadership role, with expectations of contributing to strategic thinking for exhibition design and production across the organisation, raising the profile of exhibition design within the organisation and publicly, and directly contributing to the shaping of organisational culture at Art Jameel.

While this role is based at the Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai, we operate as a global team and colleagues are expected to interact and work with colleagues at both Hayy Jameel and the Jameel Arts Centre as necessary. Occasional weekend and evening work will be required in this role.

The ideal candidate will have at  least five years’ experience designing and producing displays, commissions or exhibitions and at least two years’ experience of directly managing team members.

Fluency in English is essential, with a strong preference for fluency in Arabic, Malayalam, Urdu or Hindi.

Responsibilities and Duties
General

• Oversee the design and production of exhibitions and commissions
• Oversee the takedown and installation of exhibitions and commissions
• Oversee the takedown and installation of commissions and artworks in the Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park
• Work with the Exhibitions Manager to plan takedown and install schedules with adequate attention to team capacity and internal calendars
• Work with the Operations team to ensure health and safety procedures are in place and adhered to when planning and producing exhibitions in and around the centre
• Work with artists and oversee production of the commissions with selected fabricators
• Maintain exhibitions during their run, including touch ups, maintaining general good order
• Liaise with Operations team to monitor and control climate readings for exhibitions, suggesting and taking action where necessary
• Set planning timelines together with the Exhibitions Manager for commissions and exhibitions
• Plan for and manage external art handlers and contractors as needed
• Pan for and oversee the framing of artworks as needed
• Liaise with artists to ensure smooth production and installation of their works.

• Support in identifying and sourcing desired materials for commissions and artwork production, in conversation with the artist and contractors
• Develop and maintain a network of production related suppliers and specialists based in the UAE
• Develop and maintain good relations with specialist suppliers and art handlers
• Produce 3D models and architectural drawings with inputs from Art Jameel and external curators for design, planning and communication
• Ensure clear communication of tasks and schedules with colleagues across the organisation
• Acting as contact point, managing and working with external installation teams where necessary
• On boarding and working closely with external fabricators and contractors
• Assisting in preparing reports for insurance purposes or otherwise
• Liaising with insurance providers to update insurance requirements on a yearly or as needed basis
• Condition report artworks as needed

 Administration and Management

• Plan and manage petty cash disbursements and expenses for exhibition production
• Maintain and upkeep exhibition tools belonging to Art Jameel
• Keep an orderly and up to date filing system, including regularly updating budgets and planners
• Work with the Operations team to keep an orderly and up to date database of exhibitions furniture and other furniture belonging to Art Jameel
• Line manage the Logistics and Administration Coordinator, conducting bi-annual performance reviews
• Line manage the Exhibition Design and Production Assistant, conducting bi-annual performance reviews

 Qualifications and Experience

• At least five years’ experience designing and producing with displays, exhibitions, or commissions
• Ability to fluently and quickly work with 3D planning software such as SketchUp or similar spatial and design planning tools.
• Good knowledge of artwork shipping and transportation logistics, including packing requirements
• Written and spoken fluency English is essential with a strong preference for fluency in Arabic, Malayalam, Urdu or Hindi.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills, and the ability to use budget planning software such as Microsoft Excel.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and at least two years’ experience managing team members

Benefits include

• Health insurance
• 25 days annual leave
• Revive days
• Biannual Training day