Director of Project Management (Boston)

Goppion Museum Workshop, Inc. serves as the United States subsidiary of Goppion S.p.A., a global leader in museum-quality conservation display case solutions. With offices in Boston, New York City and Washington D.C., our US team supports major cultural institutions nationwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, the Getty Museum and other leading museums, as well as select private collections.

The U.S. organization manages a diverse portfolio of approximately 10–15 active museum and exhibition projects at any given time, ranging in scale and complexity and continues to expand its scope of exhibit fabrication services across the US.

Position Summary

The Director of Project Management (US) provides leadership for the delivery of all U.S. projects, with full accountability for financial performance, technical execution, risk management and client satisfaction. This role manages the U.S. project management and site operations teams (currently 4) and ensures that projects are executed in alignment with contractual obligations, institutional expectations, and Goppion’s global standards.

In addition to leadership responsibilities, the Director may act directly as Project Manager on select high-profile or strategically significant projects. Close coordination with the Milan-based engineering and project teams is a core aspect of the role.

The position reports to the Head of Management and Operations (IT) and the Managing Director (US) and requires significant domestic and international travel (approximately 70%).

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Oversight

• Contractual Compliance

Working with the Italian PM, ensure full compliance with contractual, technical, and scope requirements through detailed review and interpretation of contract documents, specifications, and drawings. Manage Variation Orders and other contractual modifications.

• Planning & Scheduling

Lead project teams to meet contractual milestones; coordinate with

engineering, procurement, estimating, and fabrication teams to maintain

schedules; identify and escalate client-side delays that may impact delivery.

• Budget & Financial Control

Oversee project budgets in coordination with U.S. and Italian project managers; monitor costs, identify risks or variances, and supervise financial reporting to Milan-based cost accounting teams.

• Site Coordination & Installation

Ensure eBective planning and execution of on-site installations by directing Site Managers and coordinating with Supply Chain and Assembly functions. Confirm site-readiness prior to start of installation.

• Documentation & Reporting

Oversee the preparation, maintenance, and archiving of all project documentation, including notices related to schedule, compliance, and deliverables.

• Training, Closeout & Handover

Guide the production and delivery of closeout documentation, including O&M manuals, as-built shop drawings, certifications, and formal project completion records.

2. Management & Leadership

• Recruit, onboard, and mentor project management and site management staff (US)

• Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development

• Lead annual budgeting activities for the U.S. project management function

• Plan and allocate project management resources tactically across the active project portfolio

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or related field

• Min. 15 years of project manager experience, preferably within museums, exhibitions, exhibition fabrication or cultural institution construction

• Proven ability to read and interpret architectural plans and fabrication drawings

• CAD proficiency (GMW Solidworks and Vectorworks preferred)

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Project

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making abilities

• Experience managing project budgets up to $10M

• Experience building and leading project management teams

• OSHA Safety training, including risk management and compliance

• Experience working with sub-contractors and union labor

• Working knowledge of US electrical codes

• Ability to pass US government background checks required for museum credentials

• Valid driver’s license and passport

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Italian a plus

• Knowledge of low-voltage electrical systems

• Familiarity with graphic production techniques and applications