Head of the public and exhibitions unit

The MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY of Geneva (MHNG) in Switzerland, with its permanent and temporary exhibitions, events, educational program, documentary screenings and extensive public library, brings the fascinating world of animals and minerals to some 300,000 visitors every year.

To complete its team, the Museum of Natural History of Geneva is looking for a

HEAD OF THE PUBLIC AND EXHIBITIONS UNIT

Your role and responsibilities:

As Head, you will lead and manage the Public and Exhibitions Unit of the Museum of Natural History of Geneva (including the Museum of the History of Science) in terms of programming, operations, science, technology, documentation, administration, finance, and human resources (approximately 25 people). You will define the strategic guidelines for dissemination activities; you will design, develop, and coordinate cultural programmes, exhibitions and cultural mediation in close collaboration and accordance with the Management, and in line with the institution's objectives. You will take up new challenges in museology, scenography, and the dissemination of knowledge. You will be an active member of the institution's Management Committee. You will develop, enhance, represent, and promote cultural activities with national and international cultural and museum bodies, as well as with the public and political authorities. You will work closely with the Head of the Research and Collections Unit and the Head of Communications and Publishing. You will develop and maintain close working relationships with local and international museums and scientific stakeholders.

You will be working in a highly motivating context, with the total renovation of the Earth sciences gallery and the revitalisation of the zoology galleries, as well as the complete redefinition of the institution's cultural programming policy.

Your profile:

You demonstrate at least five years of experience and proven skills in management (a multidisciplinary team of at least five people), in running museology projects (curating temporary exhibitions, permanent exhibitions, outreach and events), in managing cultural programming in a science museum and in managing administrative tasks (budget, etc.). You hold a university degree (doctorate or master's) in natural sciences (zoology or Earth sciences) with additional training in scientific outreach or museology. You demonstrate a good general culture, excellent naturalist knowledge (biodiversity) and a good grasp of scenography, fundraising, documentary mediation and marketing. You are at ease in communicating with third parties (public, partners, media). You demonstrate a solid experience in popularizing and communicating culture and science, with excellent analytical, synthetic, and writing skills. You are very resilient to stress, show a strong working capacity and a taste for challenge. You are creative and versatile. Among your strengths you can count on strong leadership skills, a great capability for innovation, a strategic vision and ability to bring people together. You have a calling for public service.

You benefit of an extensive and active network of local, national, and international contacts with museums and institutions involved in the dissemination of scientific knowledge. You possess a perfect command of French, and you are fluent in English (both written and spoken). A command of German constitutes a considerable asset. As part of its policy of gender equality, the City of Geneva wishes to promote gender diversity in all administrative departments. You must be a resident in the canton of Geneva or in the authorised domiciliation zone.

Return address

By email at recrutement.mhn@ville-ge.ch or by mail to Muséum d'histoire naturelle, to the attention of Director, Mr. Arnaud Maeder, route de Malagnou 1, P.O. Box 6434 – CH 1211 Geneva 6. Please address any specific question regarding this position to Ms. Daniela Renggli at phone number: 022 418 63 97 or by email to: daniela.renggli@ville-ge.ch.

Start date

To be agreed

Application deadline

21 June 2024

The position is classified within the O category of the salary scale. NOTA BENE Interviews for the position will take place in the first half of July