Residency and Exhibitions Manager

Reports to: Director

Status: Full-time, Non-exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Residency and Exhibitions Manager is a full-time staff position responsible for managing the MAK Center’s Artists-and-Architects-in-Residence program and contributing to and supporting the planning, production, and institutional systems that support exhibitions and public programming across MAK Center sites.

Working closely with the Director, the position leads exhibition production, registrarial coordination, artist and lender relations, residency administration, and related program logistics, ensuring strong project management, artist support, and operational coordination across MAK Center sites.

The ideal candidate will bring substantial experience managing exhibitions, residencies, or other complex arts programs and be able to take ownership of projects from planning through completion. The position requires excellent judgment, organization, communication, and follow-through; the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously; and a high degree of professionalism and care in working with artists, curators, residents, lenders, vendors, and institutional partners.

This is a highly collaborative and hands-on position within a small institution, requiring both the experience to work independently and the flexibility to contribute across the Center’s programmatic and operational needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Residency Program Management

Manage the MAK Center’s international Artists- and Architects-in-Residence Program and serve as the primary staff liaison for residents at the Mackey Apartments
Manage resident onboarding, contracts, travel, scheduling, communications, reimbursements, and other program administration
Maintain ongoing communication with residents throughout their stay and provide responsive support around programmatic and practical needs
Manage the planning and production of residency-related exhibitions, presentations, and Final Projects in collaboration with residents and guest artists
Oversee residency schedules, production requirements, installation logistics, and documentation
Liaise with the facilities team to ensure maintenance of the Mackey Apartments and Garage Top Gallery
Track and archive resident activities and documentation
Maintain accurate and current residency records and program information

Exhibition Management

Manage exhibition timelines, budgets, production plans, and logistics across MAK Center sites in close collaboration with the Director
Serve as a key point of contact for artists, curators, lenders, galleries, vendors, and other exhibition partners
Oversee installation and deinstallation logistics, including coordination of artwork handling, fabrication, shipping, contractors, equipment, and site requirements
Manage registrarial processes, including loan agreements, condition reports, shipping, insurance, artwork inventories, and related documentation
Track exhibition budgets, schedules, production needs, and deliverables, ensuring projects remain on schedule and within established parameters
Manage the editing and production of didactic materials and printed matter as necessary
Organize and maintain exhibition documentation and records
Anticipate logistical and production needs, identify potential issues, and work with the Director and project partners to resolve them

Archive and Study Center Support

Maintain and develop residency- and exhibition-related records, documentation, and metadata within the MAK Center’s institutional archive and developing Study Center, including ongoing cataloging, organization, and updating of information
Organize and preserve residency-related records and exhibition materials
Contribute to the activation of archival materials through research and documentation
Collaborate with staff, researchers, archivists, and contractors on archive development

Institutional and Program Support

Provide production support for public programs across MAK Center sites
Contribute to grant reporting, fundraising events, and donor engagement events in coordination with the Director and development team
Participate in staff meetings, planning discussions, and institutional initiatives
Participate in visitor services coverage and support front-of-house operations as part of a shared institutional model
Perform other duties as reasonably assigned by the Director consistent with the responsibilities of the role

QUALIFICATIONS

7+ years of progressively responsible experience in exhibition management, residency administration, museum or gallery operations, arts program management, or a related field
Demonstrated experience managing exhibitions or comparable arts projects from planning and production through installation and completion
Strong working knowledge of registrarial procedures, including loan documentation, condition reporting, shipping, insurance, and artwork handling
Significant experience working directly with artists, curators, galleries, lenders, vendors, and other external partners
Demonstrated ability to manage project timelines, budgets, logistics, and multiple concurrent deadlines with a high degree of independence
Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills
Exceptional attention to detail and demonstrated ability to maintain accurate project records and documentation
Strong judgment, initiative, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate needs and move projects forward
Ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities while collaborating effectively within a small team
Ability to balance multiple priorities and respond flexibly to changing programmatic and operational needs
Strong knowledge of and engagement with contemporary art, architecture, and design preferred
Experience with collections, registrarial, archival, database, or project-management systems a plus

The position is a full-time, non-exempt role with evening and weekend commitments as required. Salary commensurate with experience, plus a benefits package that, following a 3-month trial period, includes healthcare (not including vision and dental), vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.

Anticipated start date is October 1, 2026.

Please complete the Google form and upload both your résumé and cover letter (PDF format only). We will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis and encourage early submissions. If you have any trouble accessing the form, please email us at office [at] makcenter.org.

The MAK Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and members of minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented 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.