Salary Range: $80,000-$85,000
About the Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.
About the Milken Institute and the Center for Advancing the American Dream
The Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD) at the Milken Institute is looking Institute is looking for a highly organized and detail-oriented project manager to join our exhibits team as an Exhibition Project Manager, Digital Media Production Manager.
The Milken Institute is a non-partisan and nonprofit think tank renowned for convening people with talent and resources to address global challenges. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, the Institute conducts research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints.
The Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), the most recent center within the Institute, is catalyzing this work by building a new type of cultural center in the heart of Washington, DC. MCAAD celebrates the ideal of the American Dream and explores the ongoing challenges people face in pursuing opportunity, through exhibitions, programs and educational programs. To accomplish this, we focus on four pillars of the American Dream: education, good health, economic freedom, and an entrepreneurial mindset. MCAAD’s physical home, with a planned opening in early 2025, is a remarkable renovation of several 120-year-old historic bank buildings, including Riggs Bank, known as the “Bank of Presidents.” The Center’s main halls are in the National Register of Historic Places, and our stewardship of the property—along with adjacent buildings on 15th St NW—will showcase and honor the history of these buildings while adapting them for use as a modern cultural center with immersive exhibit galleries. There will also be a state-of-the-art theater, events and lecture spaces, a holodeck, shop, and an atrium with café. The six-building complex featuring nearly 300,000 square feet of space will also include a conference center, recording and broadcast studios, and the Washington, D.C., headquarters of five centers of the headquarters of five centers of the Milken Institute.
We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented project manager to join our exhibit project management team as Senior Associate, Digital Media Production Manager. Working closely with the Director of Exhibit Project Management, this position is responsible for overseeing the design, development, implementation, and maintenance/refresh of interactive, linear, and multi-media content for the Visitor Center exhibit galleries and halls. In collaboration with award-winning exhibit designers, content subject matter experts, and world-class media vendors, the candidate will manage and drive to completion a series of complex interactives, technology and media-based experiences the Visitor Center intends to offer, e.g., digital games, animation, data visualization, digital art commissions, audio/video/projection, and more. The candidate would also have responsibility for spearheading various future museum visitor engagement technologies and would play a key role in MCAAD’s digital experiences moving forward. The role works most closely with MCAAD content teams and media vendors under the guidance of the Director of Exhibit Project Management.
The ideal candidate will have 5-8 years of experience in multimedia, technology, UX, and/or design production within the museum or cultural sector and possess strong project management skills including oversight of project schedules and budgets. Robust knowledge of multi-media production processes, including requirements, timelines, and operational needs of custom interactive software production and custom physical interactive installations is a must.
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Creative and UX development of interactive and multimedia, to include:
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With internal stakeholders and content developers, directs creative content development for all interactive and multimedia experiences. Supports content developers in driving towards decisions and monitors alignment to scope. This includes but is not limited to thirty-three, medium to low complexity projects currently in development.
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With external vendors, directs development and oversight of storyboards, UX, usability, accessibility, show control and content management, and look/feel of all created interactive digital content with vendors.
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Provide strategic direction to the digital design team, ensuring that digital media projects meet high standards of usability, accessibility, operational functionality and overall user satisfaction.
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Keeps focus on best possible visitor experience to achieve MCAAD creative vision and goals. Advises MCAAD teams and leadership on best practices, new developments, and implications of choices in UX and storytelling methodologies.
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Route all creative decisions and reviews internally for discussion and approval.
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Project Management:
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Independently oversee all phases of the project lifecycle, from initiation to closure, ensuring adherence to established timelines and goals.
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With Director of Exhibit Project Management, oversees and structures vendor selection process including researching, recommending, and vetting potential vendors for multi-media projects.
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Runs and sets regular meetings, prepares agendas, presentations, documents, and correspondence for stakeholder meetings and engagements related to multimedia project development.
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Scopes project requirements and prepares budgets. Conducts cost-benefit analysis to identify project opportunities when requested.
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Drafts and edits Requests for Quotes and/or Proposals. When needed, supports the preparation, revision, negotiation and analyzing of contract documents.
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Budget Management:
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Develop and manage comprehensive project budgets, forecasting and tracking expenses to ensure financial objectives are met.
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Implement effective cost-control measures and identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising project quality.
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Integrate value engineering principles into the project, seeking cost-effective solutions without compromising the quality and impact of multimedia content.
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Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, resource optimization, and innovative approaches to deliver maximum value to clients within budget constraints.
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Risk Management:
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Identify potential risks and challenges that may impact project success and develop mitigation strategies.
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Proactively address issues as they arise, making data-driven decisions to keep the project on track.
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Communication and Relationship Management:
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Act as the primary point of contact for clients and stakeholders, understanding their objectives and ensuring that multimedia productions meet or exceed their expectations.
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Coordinate cross-functional vendor teams, including videographers, graphic designers, animators, sound designers, and other creative professionals.
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Establish and maintain clear and open communication channels with project stakeholders, including executives, team members, and external partners.
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Provide regular updates on project progress, budget status, and any potential deviations from the original plan.
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Manage and consolidate internal feedback and vendor implementation.
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Quality Assurance:
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Leads teams throughout prototyping testing, fabrication, integration, and installation phases.
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Coordinates with technical teams to ensure seamless integration of multimedia content into various platforms and channels.
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Keeps a detailed record of test results and actionable tasks for vendor implementation.
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Ensures that project deliverables meet the highest quality standards and align with organizational objectives and project goals.
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Implement robust quality assurance processes and conduct regular reviews to identify and address any discrepancies.
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With vendors, supports creation of installation, operational and maintenance guides.
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Maintenance and Support:
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Direct vendor management lifecycle for media elements of exhibits.
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Support the ongoing oversight of digital exhibits/multi-media experiences in the Visitor Center, including exhibit maintenance, refresh, replacement, and re-design/installation of new exhibits, as well as development of future stages of MCAAD digital visitor experience.
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Project oversight on various future visitor engagement technology projects, including, for example, beacon or RFID technology to personalize experiences for visitors; location-based beacon technology within the Visitor Center; and other emerging technologies to provide visitors cutting-edge experiences.
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Teaming:
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Assists with conducting tours, as requested.
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Assists with planning and implementation of exhibit staff training for projects within portfolio.
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Coordinates regularly with Content Development team to support the timely delivery of stakeholder reviews and design reviews.
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5-8 years of experience in multimedia, technology, UX, and/or design production within the museum or cultural sector.
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Bachelor’s degree in design, museum studies, technology, UX, digital or interactive storytelling, multimedia production, or related fields.
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Broad-based knowledge of current and emerging story-telling and interactive technologies, as well as experience and insight into producing visual media content.
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Robust knowledge of multi-media production process including the requirements, timelines, and operational needs of custom interactive software production and custom physical interactive installations.
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Excellent organizational and project management skills in creative, museum or technology projects involving multiple stakeholders, deadlines, and parallel track workstreams. Ability to accurately manage project schedules and budgets through completion.
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Demonstrated ability to manage multiple work streams comfortably and methodically, to set and to address priorities, to meet deadlines, and to work with a high degree of accuracy. Working knowledge of waterfall, agile, and hybrid project management processes.
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Familiarity with universal design and ADA guidelines a plus.
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Ability to work collaboratively and positively in a fast-paced team environment. Ability to understand and navigate multiple internal and external stakeholders.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills.
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Experience using scheduling software such as Microsoft Project or AirTable. Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications required.
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Ability to see the big picture and simultaneously monitor how discrete project tasks or elements integrate with and impact the project as a whole.
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Excellent organizational and time-management skills. Strong attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.
If you are a motivated individual with 5-8 years of experience and a passion for project management in the cultural sector, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Join us in creating impactful exhibits that captivate and inspire audiences.
This position will work in a professional office environment. This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world.
Note
We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.
This position will work a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in-person to your respective office location (Tuesday – Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change in the Institute’s sole discretion.
The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as one attachment. Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
Our Culture
The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.
Benefits
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Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
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Retirement Plan - 403b (5%)
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Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
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Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
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Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
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Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
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Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
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Training & Development:
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LinkedIn Learning –over 10,000 classes offered, self-guided.
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Mentor Program
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Wellness Resources:
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Employee Assistance Program
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CALM app membership