Job Details

The Collections Manager plays a key role in overseeing the physical and intellectual care and management of the Museum's cultural heritage items and artworks collection. This position ensures proper documentation, care, handling, storage, movement, and exhibition installation and deinstallation of items and artworks in accordance with museum standards and protocols. The Collections Manager engages with communities related to the permanent collection and ensures ethical and culturally appropriate stewardship practices. The position requires excellent organizational and communication skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with efficiency and discretion.

Essential Functions

• Perform day-to-day activities related to stewardship and care of the collection,
• including accessioning, cataloging, condition reporting and general preservation, creating and maintaining detailed physical and digital records, researching found-in-collections items, and photography of collections items
• Ensure the proper storage for items and artworks and build storage mounts as needed
• Maintain and update the Museum's collections management system (TMS), ensuring accurate records and data management
• Maintain and improve physical storage of the collection
• Conduct regular inventory of collection and ensure environmental and security protocols are followed in storage areas
• Create and prepare reports on collections for Museum departments and researchers
• Install and deinstall exhibitions
• Facilitate access to the collection for staff, researchers, community members, and artists
• Assist the Loans Registrar with packing of loaned items and artworks as needed
• Obtain and maintain image usage agreements for items in the collection. Process requests for reproduction of images of works in the collection
• Promote use of the collections in education, research, exhibitions, and programs
• Contribute to the advancement of organizational goals, initiatives, and metrics for sustainability

Non-Essential Functions

• Responds to verbal and written requests, including inquiries from the general public, regarding items in the collection
• Gives tours and presentations related to the collection and the collection's storage
• Trains and supervises contractors, volunteers, and interns
• Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of professional museum principles, practices, procedures, and image rights and responsibilities especially in collections management
• High degree of proficiency with collections management software (TMS preferred)
• Working knowledge of photo editing software (Photoshop and Lightroom)
• Proficiency in the Microsoft suite
• Demonstrated knowledge of the proper care and handling of art and artifacts
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to assess priorities and work well under pressure; excellent time management, problem-solving and analytical skills with attention to detail
• Ability to work well with diverse groups of Museum stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple projects
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
• Physical ability to handle and move cultural heritage items and artworks using appropriate safety procedures and equipment
• The candidate must know accepted museum registration techniques, of preservation and archival materials, packing techniques, and storage practices, legal matters related to collections, copyright laws, policies governing rights and reproductions, records management, and data processing systems.

Qualifications

We value the diverse paths leading to this work. The qualifications listed reflect what we believe supports success but can be gained through professional, educational, and lived experiences. If you are passionate about this work and believe you have the strengths to thrive in this role, we strongly encourage you to apply, even if your background doesn't match every listed qualification.

Employee Expectations

As a Museum employee, the incumbent is expected to model the following traits:

• Foster and maintain open communication and collaboration and actively engage in the exchange of ideas and maintain constructive relationships
• Initiative and creativity in all aspects of the position
• Lead by example by maintaining a high standard of professional ethics and conduct
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect
• Align with organizational values, culture, and commitments to sustainability
• Support and uphold the policies and procedures of the Museum

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required.