Senior Exhibit Developers are creative leads in the development of interactive, content-rich visitor experiences. They shape interpretive strategy, storytelling, and experiential goals across a variety of exhibits - from hands-on interactives to immersive environments - ensuring alignment with institutional objectives and project milestones.
This role includes concept leadership, content planning, and client collaboration, with responsibility for the clarity, accuracy, and impact of the visitor experience. Senior Exhibit Developers also mentor junior staff and help align interpretive intent with design execution. Strong research, writing, and collaboration skills are essential to guide ideas from concept through final implementation.
Primary Responsibilities
Experience Strategy & Content Development
- Lead development of visitor experience goals, interpretive frameworks, and storytelling strategies.
- Author and structure visitor-centered experiences across physical, media, and interactive exhibits.
- Synthesize background research and collaborate with subject matter experts and client stakeholders.
- Author key documentation such as experience matrices, activity guides, and interpretive plans.
- Lead the prototyping and testing of interactive and interpretive exhibit components.
Client & Team Collaboration
- Serve as a primary contact for client teams on content and interpretive development.
- Present ideas, facilitate workshops, and guide clients through decision-making.
- Collaborate with design, media, engineering, and production teams to ensure experiential alignment.
- Coordinate with external partners such as writers, researchers, and educational consultants.
Project Contribution
- Lead exhibit development across multiple, concurrent projects of varied scale and complexity.
- Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and visitor appropriateness of all interpretive content.
- Shape scope and deliverables related to exhibit strategy and content planning.
Qualifications
- 5 - 8+ years of experience in exhibit development, interpretation, or visitor experience planning.
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree in museum studies, education, communications, or related field.
- Demonstrated leadership on interpretive development for large-scale projects.
- Exceptional writing, organization, and storytelling abilities.
- Knowledge of learning theory, visitor behavior, and accessible engagement practices.
- Proven ability to collaborate with internal teams and external clients effectively.
- Experience managing content development subcontractors or SMEs.
- Ability to translate complex topics into clear, engaging exhibit experiences.
- Technical proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word. Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, CAD software, or 3D modeling tools is a plus.