Stanford University
Associate Director of Design and Art Handling, Cantor Arts Center
Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States, 94305
Overview
Associate Director of Design and Art Handling, Cantor Arts Center - Stanford University, Stanford, California. 3-year fixed-term position. The Cantor Arts Center provides an outstanding cultural experience; it houses a collection spanning 5,000 years with more than 40,000 works of art. This role reports to the Deputy Director and leads design and art handling for exhibitions and installations across approximately 50,000 square feet of galleries and public spaces. The Associate Director serves as Cantor Art Center’s key advisor for exhibition design, fabrication, production, art handling, and installation. The position manages a team of experienced art and gallery preparation staff and contractors, fosters a professional and collaborative culture, and ensures adherence to high museum standards for object safety and visitor accessibility. In this role you will
Lead the planning and operations of the department and act as the museum’s leader for exhibition design development and delivery, promoting best practices for design (2D and 3D), fabrication, production, art handling, and installation/deinstallation Cultivate a professional and highly collaborative team culture with a focus on communication, accountability, and excellence Collaborate with curators, artists, registrars, educators, and museum staff to develop attractive, engaging, and durable exhibitions that meet object safety and accessibility standards Oversee design, fabrication, gallery preparation/turnover, and installation/deinstallation of exhibition elements (furniture, environmental treatments, mounts, didactics, labels, walls, lighting, A/V, and interactive components) Develop and update standards and guidelines for design, fabrication, and art handling, aligning with museum standards, best practices, and safety regulations Research and incorporate trends and innovations to improve exhibition design and production processes Serve as the principal designer for assigned projects from concept through deinstallation Develop design packages and submittals (technical drawings, floor plans, renderings) and review outputs from staff and contract designers Coordinate with project managers to manage logistics and scheduling of design and production for timely completion and smooth installation Demonstrate ability to use project management software (Airtable preferred) Lead training workshops for exhibition design, fabrication, production, gallery preparation, and art handling, ensuring OSHA and ADA compliance Represent Cantor’s exhibition design and art handling programs to internal and external stakeholders and partners Develop and manage project budgets with senior leadership; ensure projects meet time, scope, and quality standards Administer the department’s annual operating budget and related financial transactions; assist with grants and fundraising proposals in collaboration with Development Oversee equipment, materials, and inventories for exhibition needs; coordinate with external contractors as needed Direct day-to-day staff activities, set performance goals, and collaborate with other museum departments Supervise bargaining unit staff and external contractors involved in exhibition design, fabrication, mounting, matting, framing, and installation Coordinate with preparator staff to maintain workshop cleanliness and organization; manage inventory of exhibition furniture and tools Work with Collections team on receiving, handling, crating/packing, movement, and storage of artworks Perform other duties as assigned Important note: this position is onsite on the Stanford campus. May require extended or non-standard hours, including weekends and holidays. This is a 3-year fixed-term position with an anticipated end date in March 2029. Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience; extensive museum, gallery, or cultural center experience with loans preferred Commitment to fostering an inclusive environment Experience building a professional, collaborative culture and driving teams to achieve results Expertise in comprehensive design processes for museum installations, including staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and documentation Experience supervising designers, preparators, bargaining unit staff, and external contractors; ability to lead with initiative and mentorship Strong design portfolio Proficiency with Vectorworks, AutoCAD, REVIT, 3D Studio MAX, Rhino, SketchUp, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Suite Knowledge of experiential and universal design concepts and ADA guidelines Experience in care and handling of fine art Knowledge of fabrication, construction methods, and art handling/installation techniques Electrical, electronics, and mechanical installation knowledge Ability to work independently and with senior leadership and varied vendors Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet schedules, budgets, and quality standards Ability to conceptualize and graphically communicate design ideas and create presentations Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present ideas clearly in a team setting Strong financial management and budgeting skills for exhibition design Ability to coordinate high-volume work with accuracy and attention to detail Physical Requirements
Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks Frequently stand/walk, climb stairs, handle tools Occasionally climb ladders or scaffolds, reach above shoulders, bend and stoop Frequently use phones and radios; operate other communications devices Ability to lift/move works of art, equipment, and supplies up to 40 lbs Operate scissor lifts, pump lift carts, and pallet jacks as needed Working Conditions
May be exposed to lead, paint, and acetone May be exposed to high noise levels May work at heights up to 10 feet or more; PPE may be required Application details: For priority consideration, applications should be submitted before October 31, 2025 with start anticipated March 30, 2026. Submit via Stanford Careers with a Cover Letter and Resume. The expected pay range is $120,038 - 135,000 per annum. Stanford provides pay ranges as a good faith estimate; actual pay will be determined by factors such as scope, qualifications, and market. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Associate Director of Design and Art Handling, Cantor Arts Center - Stanford University, Stanford, California. 3-year fixed-term position. The Cantor Arts Center provides an outstanding cultural experience; it houses a collection spanning 5,000 years with more than 40,000 works of art. This role reports to the Deputy Director and leads design and art handling for exhibitions and installations across approximately 50,000 square feet of galleries and public spaces. The Associate Director serves as Cantor Art Center’s key advisor for exhibition design, fabrication, production, art handling, and installation. The position manages a team of experienced art and gallery preparation staff and contractors, fosters a professional and collaborative culture, and ensures adherence to high museum standards for object safety and visitor accessibility. In this role you will
Lead the planning and operations of the department and act as the museum’s leader for exhibition design development and delivery, promoting best practices for design (2D and 3D), fabrication, production, art handling, and installation/deinstallation Cultivate a professional and highly collaborative team culture with a focus on communication, accountability, and excellence Collaborate with curators, artists, registrars, educators, and museum staff to develop attractive, engaging, and durable exhibitions that meet object safety and accessibility standards Oversee design, fabrication, gallery preparation/turnover, and installation/deinstallation of exhibition elements (furniture, environmental treatments, mounts, didactics, labels, walls, lighting, A/V, and interactive components) Develop and update standards and guidelines for design, fabrication, and art handling, aligning with museum standards, best practices, and safety regulations Research and incorporate trends and innovations to improve exhibition design and production processes Serve as the principal designer for assigned projects from concept through deinstallation Develop design packages and submittals (technical drawings, floor plans, renderings) and review outputs from staff and contract designers Coordinate with project managers to manage logistics and scheduling of design and production for timely completion and smooth installation Demonstrate ability to use project management software (Airtable preferred) Lead training workshops for exhibition design, fabrication, production, gallery preparation, and art handling, ensuring OSHA and ADA compliance Represent Cantor’s exhibition design and art handling programs to internal and external stakeholders and partners Develop and manage project budgets with senior leadership; ensure projects meet time, scope, and quality standards Administer the department’s annual operating budget and related financial transactions; assist with grants and fundraising proposals in collaboration with Development Oversee equipment, materials, and inventories for exhibition needs; coordinate with external contractors as needed Direct day-to-day staff activities, set performance goals, and collaborate with other museum departments Supervise bargaining unit staff and external contractors involved in exhibition design, fabrication, mounting, matting, framing, and installation Coordinate with preparator staff to maintain workshop cleanliness and organization; manage inventory of exhibition furniture and tools Work with Collections team on receiving, handling, crating/packing, movement, and storage of artworks Perform other duties as assigned Important note: this position is onsite on the Stanford campus. May require extended or non-standard hours, including weekends and holidays. This is a 3-year fixed-term position with an anticipated end date in March 2029. Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience; extensive museum, gallery, or cultural center experience with loans preferred Commitment to fostering an inclusive environment Experience building a professional, collaborative culture and driving teams to achieve results Expertise in comprehensive design processes for museum installations, including staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and documentation Experience supervising designers, preparators, bargaining unit staff, and external contractors; ability to lead with initiative and mentorship Strong design portfolio Proficiency with Vectorworks, AutoCAD, REVIT, 3D Studio MAX, Rhino, SketchUp, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Creative Suite Knowledge of experiential and universal design concepts and ADA guidelines Experience in care and handling of fine art Knowledge of fabrication, construction methods, and art handling/installation techniques Electrical, electronics, and mechanical installation knowledge Ability to work independently and with senior leadership and varied vendors Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet schedules, budgets, and quality standards Ability to conceptualize and graphically communicate design ideas and create presentations Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present ideas clearly in a team setting Strong financial management and budgeting skills for exhibition design Ability to coordinate high-volume work with accuracy and attention to detail Physical Requirements
Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks Frequently stand/walk, climb stairs, handle tools Occasionally climb ladders or scaffolds, reach above shoulders, bend and stoop Frequently use phones and radios; operate other communications devices Ability to lift/move works of art, equipment, and supplies up to 40 lbs Operate scissor lifts, pump lift carts, and pallet jacks as needed Working Conditions
May be exposed to lead, paint, and acetone May be exposed to high noise levels May work at heights up to 10 feet or more; PPE may be required Application details: For priority consideration, applications should be submitted before October 31, 2025 with start anticipated March 30, 2026. Submit via Stanford Careers with a Cover Letter and Resume. The expected pay range is $120,038 - 135,000 per annum. Stanford provides pay ranges as a good faith estimate; actual pay will be determined by factors such as scope, qualifications, and market. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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