AVP of Exhibition Design

This is a hybrid role, which requires the talent in the office 3 days onsite, note that if there are installations in process, more in-person days may be required.

Advantages
This role provides the opportunity for supervision, and mentoring of an experienced design team as well as working collaboratively with a variety of other internal and external stakeholders to create experiences for visitors of all ages that also have a broad social impact

Responsibilities
• Directs the operation of the Exhibition Design Department and manages schedules, team assignments, balances workloads to ensure strong team engagement, and determines opportunities for creative outsourcing and delivery models.
• Works closely with Senior VP of Exhibition and Gallery Development and other exhibition leaders to ensure appropriate execution integrating curatorial concepts and interpretive strategies into cohesive visitor experiences
• Develops and tracks the budget for the Design Department and collaborates with project managers and exhibition planners to track budgets for exhibition projects.
• Ensures the technical, material and budgetary feasibility of design for successful construction and implementation in the development of tender packages, scopes of works, and construction and production drawings for contractors, preparators and other vendors for exhibitions and museum spaces.
• Considers innovative and creative ideas for use of exhibition spaces, including overarching design and construction strategies for effective use of resources, budgets and schedule alignments for in-house and travelling exhibitions.
• Works closely with Digital Team to determine strategic technology and equipment needs for installations including digital and audio-visual equipment, lighting, and digital media and for use in signage / wayfinding.
• Guides design team in the use of 2D and 3D visualization tools to accurately demonstrate and communicate the look and feel of exhibitions, key conceptual components, and how visitors will interact in a 3D environment including detailed floorplans and drawings-to-scale of exhibition components
• Organizes presentations, design briefs, and other various documents including, but not limited to, renderings, schematic designs, concept designs, and shop drawings, as needed, for review by leadership and to inform RFP(s) for outside contractors.


Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in a field appropriate for the position, e.g. graphic design, industrial design, studio arts, environmental graphics, architecture, etc. Alternative degree, credentials, and/or experience may be considered for applicability.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a relevant leadership position within design for built environments, exhibition or environmental graphics.
• Administrative experience managing a staff, setting objectives for success and expectations for accountability.
• A portfolio demonstrating substantial experience leading collaborative design processes, and outstanding projects implemented within budgets and on time.
• Ability to organize, represent, and communicate concepts that inspire a broad audience through design.
• Ability to manage and deliver all stages of design from concept to technical construction drawings.
• Familiarity with museum exhibition best practices, including object handling, moving and installation, and maintenance of museum objects.
• Demonstrated responsibility with budget forecasting and tracking.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and be able to work professionally and collaboratively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds in a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent time management, project management, planning, and organizational skills and the ability to work collaboratively on multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven familiarity with construction and fabrication techniques, lighting requirements, graphic design and production, hardware and software for audio-visual and digital engagements, shipping, and de-installation.
• Deep skills in computer knowledge is essential including experience with Sketch Up, Adobe Creative Cloud, AUTOCAD or 3D design-related software, and Microsoft Office.
• Experience supervising unionized employees is beneficial for this role

Summary
This role offers the opportunity to drive meaningful results for all audiences while having a broad social impact. If you have experience overseeing Exhibition Design and are ready to make a significant impact to Canadian culture, we invite you to apply for this exciting role! Please know we are an equal opportunity employer and only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Randstad Canada is committed to fostering a workforce reflective of all peoples of Canada. As a result, we are committed to developing and implementing strategies to increase the equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace by examining our internal policies, practices, and systems throughout the entire lifecycle of our workforce, including its recruitment, retention and advancement for all employees. In addition to our deep commitment to respecting human rights, we are dedicated to positive actions to affect change to ensure everyone has full participation in the workforce free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise, especially equity-seeking groups who are usually underrepresented in Canada's workforce, including those who identify as women or non-binary/gender non-conforming; Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples; persons with disabilities (visible or invisible) and; members of visible minorities, racialized groups and the LGBTQ2+ community.

Randstad Canada is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that all job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by sending an email to accessibility@randstad.ca to ensure their ability to fully participate in the interview process.