Position Summary
The Senior Manager of Exhibits and Collections is responsible for leadership and operational oversight of the Collections Management and Exhibit Development teams, developing and implementing engaging exhibitions, stewarding the museum's collections, and ensuring that all exhibits and collections practices align with professional museum standards and the organization's commitments to reconciliation and decolonization.
The successful candidate will bring significant experience in exhibit design, curation, and/or collections management within a museum, gallery, cultural centre, or heritage organization, along with demonstrated experience working collaboratively with Indigenous and other marginalized communities. The Senior Manager will supervise staff, manage projects and budgets, and contribute to organizational planning and growth.
Key Responsibilities
Exhibitions & Curatorial Leadership
- Lead the planning, development, design, installation, and evaluation of permanent, temporary, and travelling exhibitions in collaboration with the Director of Creative Experience and the Curator
- Develop exhibition concepts and interpretive strategies that engage diverse audiences and reflect multiple perspectives.
- Conduct and oversee research, content development, object selection, and interpretive planning.
- Ensure exhibitions are culturally appropriate, accessible, and aligned with organizational values.
- Collaborate with artists, knowledge keepers, curators, community members, lenders, and partners throughout the exhibition development process.
- Manage exhibition schedules, budgets, contracts, and project timelines.
- Provides monthly reports to illustrate performance and alignment with the Strategic Plan.
Collections Management
- Provide strategic oversight of the museum's collections and related policies, procedures, and standards.
- Ensure the documentation, care, storage, conservation, and use of collections are managed according to recognized museum best practices.
- Support the development and implementation of collections management systems and policies.
- Ensure collections practices support Indigenous data sovereignty, cultural protocols, and decolonizing approaches where appropriate.
- Maintain and control inventory and records of all building keys and security codes.
Indigenous Engagement & Reconciliation
- Build and maintain respectful relationships with Indigenous community members, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, artists, and cultural advisors.
- Integrate Indigenous perspectives and community-informed approaches into exhibitions, collections, and interpretive programming.
- Support organizational commitments to truth, reconciliation, decolonization, and right-setting history.
- Ensure Indigenous cultural protocols and community priorities are respected in exhibition and collections work.
Leadership & Management
- Supervise, mentor, and support exhibits, collections and project staff, as well as interns, volunteers, and contractors.
- Establish departmental goals, work plans, and performance expectations.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture.
- Manage departmental budgets and resource allocation.
- Document and report on statistics and key performance indicators.
Organizational & Community Relations
- Collaborate with Communications and Marketing team to promote exhibitions and related events.
- Represent the organization in professional networks, community meetings, conferences, public events and speaking opportunities.
- Contribute to grant applications, reports, fundraising initiatives, and partnership development.
- Support public engagement opportunities related to exhibitions and collections.
Qualifications
Required
- Post-secondary degree in Museum Studies, History, Indigenous Studies, Anthropology, Curatorial Practice, Arts Administration, Heritage Management, or a related field. Equivalent experience will be considered.
- Minimum five (5) years of progressive experience in exhibit design, curation, and/or collections management within a museum, gallery, cultural centre, or heritage organization.
- Minimum three (3) years of management or supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with Indigenous communities, organizations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and/or cultural practitioners.
- Strong knowledge of museum standards, collections management practices, and exhibition development processes.
- Experience managing complex projects, budgets, and timelines.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment while managing multiple priorities.
Assets
- Knowledge of Treaty 7 history, cultures, and contemporary Indigenous communities.
- Experience with decolonizing museum practices and community-led exhibition development.
- Grant writing and fundraising experience.
- Experience with collections management databases and digital collections initiatives.
- Knowledge of conservation principles and museum environmental standards.
Compensation
Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience.
Working at The Confluence
We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our organization and enrich the work we do. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel respected, valued, and supported.
We particularly encourage applications from Indigenous candidates, as well as members of equity-deserving communities.
How to Apply
- Please submit your resumé and cover letter (required) to The Confluence via email at [email protected] with the job title in the subject of your email by July 15, 2026.
- Successful candidates will be required to undergo a Police Information Check.
- Anticipated start date of August 2026.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
About The Confluence
Located where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland is a place of Indigenous gathering and ceremony steeped in thousands of years of tradition and history. Fort Calgary was built on the land at The Confluence in 1875 by the North-West Mounted Police. The land is home to many complex stories that span thousands of years. The Confluence strives to tell accurate stories rooted in this land from a variety of perspectives. Offerings include exhibits, talks, tours, workshops, youth education programs, summer camps, movies, art shows, concerts, festivals and venue rentals for social and corporate events.
The Confluence is an equal opportunity employer. The Confluence team is guided by a shared commitment to community, reconciliation, integrity, sustainability, inclusiveness, and respect. The Confluence welcomes applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.
Pay: $67,000.00-$72,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
