The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi (NHMAD) is hiring a Unit Head of Permanent and Temporary Exhibitions to lead the planning, development, and delivery of exceptional permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions. The role ensures exhibitions are scientifically accurate, visually engaging, inclusive, and aligned with the museum’s educational mission. Reporting to the Public Engagement Section Head, this individual will collaborate with curators, designers, educators, and digital teams to shape memorable visitor experiences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Exhibition Planning & Development:

  • Lead conceptualization, planning, and delivery of exhibitions.

  • Collaborate with internal teams to create content-rich, interactive, and educational displays.

  • Integrate digital and storytelling elements for inclusive visitor engagement.

• Project Management:

  • Oversee exhibition timelines, budgets, and team coordination.

  • Manage external contractors and ensure high-quality execution within set parameters.

• Permanent Galleries Management:

  • Maintain and periodically update permanent galleries.

  • Work with conservation and collections teams to uphold display standards.

  • Evaluate exhibit effectiveness using visitor analytics and feedback.

• Temporary Exhibitions Development:

  • Develop and manage rotating exhibitions, from concept to deinstallation.

  • Explore collaboration opportunities with other institutions for traveling exhibits.

• Collaboration & Team Coordination:

  • Align exhibitions with the museum’s broader public programming.

  • Coordinate with marketing and communication teams for exhibition promotion.

  • Foster cross-departmental collaboration and support strategic alignment.

• Visitor Engagement & Accessibility:

  • Ensure exhibitions are accessible and inclusive to diverse audiences.

  • Utilize visitor research to improve engagement and interpretation.

• Quality Assurance & Evaluation:

  • Implement quality control measures to maintain museum standards.

  • Assess exhibition success through feedback and data to guide future improvements.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Exhibition Design, Arts Administration, Natural Sciences, or related field.

  • Master’s degree preferred.

• Experience:

  • Minimum 7 years in exhibition development or management.

  • Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex projects.

• Skills:

  • Strong project management and organizational capabilities.

  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

  • Proficiency in exhibition design tools and digital platforms.

  • Fluency in English is required; Arabic or other languages are a plus.