The Peabody Essex Museum
DIRECTOR OF EXHIBITION DESIGN
Salem, MA
Application Deadline: FeBruary 7, 2026
APPLY ONLINE: https://rcr.li/PUXH
The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), in Salem, MA, is one of the largest and most dynamic art museums in the nation, committed to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful environment. Over the last 30 years, PEM has distinguished itself as one of the fastest-growing art and culture museums in North America. Founded in 1799, it is also the country's oldest continuously operating museum. At its heart is a mission to enrich and transform people's lives by broadening their perspectives, attitudes, and knowledge of themselves and the wider world. PEM's team is passionate about art, culture, and creating a memorable experience for everyone who walks through the doors. PEM's growth in recent years has attracted a host of creative and innovative individuals.
PEM is seeking a qualified candidate to lead our Exhibition Design Department in the imaginative planning, design, and implementation of changing exhibitions, long-term collection galleries and object rotations, as well as in public space enhancements throughout the museum’s campus. This role will lead and inspire a vibrant team of designers and fabricators to deliver original and thought-provoking visual experiences in collaboration with exhibition project teams. The Director of Exhibition Design manages an annual exhibition budget (design costs), of one million dollars and a team of seven to eight staff. They play a pivotal role in shaping PEM's exhibitions by delivering original, innovative designs while ensuring the seamless integration of artistic vision, practical execution, and strategic planning.
PEM's culture is forward-thinking and collaborative, with staff regularly working across collections and departments, celebrating intersections, discovery, and immersive, out-of-the-box visitor experiences. The Exhibition Design Department provides an artful design-build function utilizing in-house talent and contract providers. As the leader of this department, the Director will inspire and guide the team, managing their contributions to all exhibition projects while also serving as Lead Designer for selected projects each year. The department operates as a collaborative unit, requiring close coordination to balance in-house fabrication capabilities with outsourced services to achieve outstanding and timely results.
This role requires an individual with excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across administrative, curatorial, marketing, interpretive, media, collection, facilities and security departments to achieve successful outcomes for PEM established goals and initiatives. The Director of Exhibition Design will also play a key role in the long-term planning of the Museum’s exhibition program in relation to scheduling, process development, budgets, contracts, and design and production resources.
This position offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of PEM's exhibitions, combining creative vision with operational excellence in a role that intersects art, culture, and design innovation to create transformative and engaging visitor experiences. The role requires a leader with the ability to oversee complex logistics who can effectively manage schedules, balance competing priorities, and resolve challenges. They will expertly balance the diverse expectations of stakeholders with strong decision-making and adaptability. By combining clear communication with a collaborative spirit, they will engage constructively across departments to foster an environment of creativity and teamwork. The Director of Exhibition Design will be ultimately responsible for delivering projects on time and within budget.
This position reports to the Chief Curator, who also serves as the Nancy B. Putnam Curator for Fashion and Textiles.
Exhibitions
The Director of Exhibition Design works closely with PEM’s exhibition managers, curators, and museum project teams to share in the production of a robust calendar of unique and highly acclaimed special exhibitions, circulating through approximately 30,000 square feet of gallery space. Ongoing collection galleries, occupying 55,000 square feet, rotate regularly and are often installed in thematic, multi-disciplinary presentations. PEM is particularly celebrated for its groundbreaking exhibitions that explore both contemporary and historical themes with bold, interdisciplinary perspectives. Recent exhibitions include Salem Witch Trials: Restoring Justice, Andrew Gn: Fashioning the World, Gu Wenda: United Nations, The Great Animal Orchestra: Bernie Krause and United Visual Artists, Bats!, Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle, Power and Perspective: Early Photography in China, and Empresses of China’s Forbidden City, which exemplify PEM's commitment to presenting holistic narratives and experiences that resonate with diverse audiences.
SELECT RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Lead the design team—including 3D design, graphic design and fabrication—in innovative exhibition, gallery installation, and experience development.
Contribute original, innovative designs and presentation ideas that align with PEM’s mission while facilitating a collaborative design process.
Ensure successful development, review, and implementation of all design projects centered on design quality, resource planning, and timely completion.
Coordinate a high volume of work, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Manage departmental staffing; lead and develop a high-performing design team, fostering an environment where both departmental staff and project team members can succeed.
Hire and oversee project-based consultants, including writing job descriptions, contracts, work order agreements, and progress reports, and approving invoices.
Promote a shared departmental understanding of best practices for conservation-grade materials and mounts, casework materials and fabrication, gallery fit-up and finishes, media integration, interactives and public program support, graphics materials and techniques, and electrical and lighting systems.
Mentor the design team to cultivate creative opportunities and promote knowledge of new technologies and techniques for inventive visitor engagement.
Build strong, collaborative relationships with senior leadership, curators, cross-divisional project team members, and outside vendors.
Update and maintain a standardized design documentation system with a high level of clarity for internal stakeholder reviews, external bidding and production efficiency, and external lender or organizational reviews.
Establish, track, and oversee compliance to both departmental and exhibition design budgets. The Director of Exhibition Design’s position is supported by an Administrative Assistant for general bookkeeping.
Collaborate on exhibition-related grants with Development, Exhibition Planning, and Curatorial teams, providing budget projections and concept designs.
Adhere to museum policies, procedures and practices as a department head and supervisor.
ACADEMIC AND EXPERIENtIAL REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree in design-related field required—Exhibit, Industrial, Theater, or Architectural Design. Advanced degree preferred.
A minimum of eight years' experience in exhibition design as well as four years of management and administration experience in a design-related capacity.
Knowledge of a comprehensive design process for museum installations, including staffing and team coordination, scheduling and budgeting, and overall design phasing and document packaging.
Strong working knowledge of various design software applications such as Vectorworks, AutoCAD, or REVIT, 3D Studio MAX, Rhino, Sketchup, Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project), and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator).
Well-versed in Experiential and Universal Design concepts, their applications, and a working knowledge of ADA guidelines and a practiced dedication to compliance.
ESSENTIAL ABILITIES
Organizational, critical thinking, problem solving, and team management skills.
Resourcefulness and nimbleness. Ability to adjust easily to changing priorities and complex situations.
Passion for collaboration and team-oriented work.
Strong professional interpersonal and communication skills that are open, decisive, and proactive.
Ability to operate with individual initiative and creativity while delegating to and mentoring junior staff. Able to cultivate a positive and collaborative work environment of high productivity and creativity.
Financial management skills and demonstrated success with operational budgeting, tracking and reporting on exhibition-design budgets. Skill to identify and fulfill needs and implement new administrative systems and strategies to manage multiple projects.
Capacity to multitask, address complex issues, coordinate high-volume work, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with senior leadership, museum project teams, and a variety of vendors.
Research shows that women and individuals from under-represented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.
COMPENSATION
The hiring salary for the position is $94,258 -- $120,181. Final compensation will reflect seniority and experience. Experienced candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Comprehensive benefits package.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply in confidence, submit application online at https://rcr.li/PUXH by February 7, 2026.
A complete application should include:
A cover letter expressing interest in the position and giving brief examples of past related experience.
A résumé or C.V.
The names and contact information for three professional references able to evaluate the candidate’s leadership and work, indicating their relationship with the candidate.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. All applications and nominations are kept confidential; we will not contact references without your permission. EA/EO. For more details, visit: www.museum-search.com/open-searches.
Questions should be directed to Ken Turino, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference, via SearchandRef@museum-search.com.
The Peabody Essex Museum is committed to diversity among its employees and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
ABOUT THE PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM
The Peabody Essex Museum is a premier cultural institution with a rich history and a forward-thinking mission. Established in 1799, PEM is the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States. Its mission is to inspire thought-provoking experiences of the arts, humanities, and sciences, activating understanding of our shared humanity while empowering imagination and lifelong learning through creative experimentation.
PEM’s world-class collection spans centuries and continents, reflecting the interconnected nature of global cultures. It consists of more than 850,000 works of art and culture, architecture, and objects that date from antiquity to today, including African, Asian, American, Native American and Oceanic art objects of every medium, and including Yin Yu Tang, the landmark 17th-century Chinese merchant’s home - the only one of its kind on display in the United States. The museum also holds renowned collections of maritime art and artifacts. fashion and textiles. The Phillips Library Collection, more than 350,000 bound volumes, broadsides, maps, photographs, ephemera, and ships’ logbooks, is among the oldest libraries in the United States, and is now housed along with a public Reading Room at the Hawkes Collection Center.
With 87,000 square feet of gallery space, a $38-million annual operating budget, and an endowment exceeding $628 million, PEM attracts approximately 200,000 visitors annually. The museum’s dynamic exhibitions blend historical depth with contemporary relevance, addressing vital social and cultural issues. As a magnetic meeting place and engine of creative expression, PEM serves as a dynamic environment where art, history, and modernity converge, inviting visitors to engage with the interconnected stories of humanity and explore the limitless potential of artistic innovation.
PEM’S INTERPRETIVE PHILOSOPHY AND METHODS
Experiential presentation and audience-oriented interpretation of contemporary and historical works of art and culture as well as a commitment to interdisciplinary and multisensory considerations reside at the core of the Museum’s mission and methods. PEM presents and interprets works of art and culture in ways that connect art to the world by fusing art, culture, history and even the sciences; connecting the past to the present by acquiring and exhibiting contemporary and historical works; and encouraging people to discover and explore the rich interconnections among international artistic and cultural expressions and traditions. As a people-centered museum, PEM dedicates its resources to providing inclusive, compelling, and meaningful experiences to diverse audiences. PEM aims to make a lasting and positive difference in the lives of the public it serves.
ABOUT SALEM AND BOSTON
Salem, Massachusetts offers an exceptional quality of life, blending vibrant cultural experiences with the charm of a historic coastal town. Renowned for its rich history, Salem is home to a thriving arts scene, including museums, theaters, and annual festivals such as the Salem Arts Festival. Food enthusiasts can take advantage of the city's diverse dining options, ranging from fresh seafood to international cuisine. Nearby North Shore communities like Beverly and Marblehead add to the region's appeal. The region has a 400+ year history of art and architecture, and maritime activities are still an important part of the regional culture. Salem Public Schools and a variety of private institutions offer educational opportunities. The city is also home to Salem State University. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate local parks, beaches, and trails. Salem's combination of history, culture, and community makes it a wonderful place to live and work.
Boston is a world-class center for banking, health care and technology research. One of America's leading intellectual centers, Boston boasts some of the most prestigious universities and medical centers in the world. As a metropolis, it is home to numerous attractions including museums, theaters, musical events and robust restaurant and brewery opportunities, and includes many distinct and historic neighborhoods. The suburbs have some of the nation’s top-rated school systems. Boston is just a 30-minute train ride away and offers outdoor recreation along the Charles River and Atlantic Ocean. Sports fans enjoy the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins, as well as the soccer team, the Revolution.
