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Collections Manager, Concord Museum, Concord, MA

Posted June 23, 2016

SUMMARY 

Responsible for the physical care, preservation, and management of the Museum’s collections and the intellectual control of the collections through maintenance of paper and electronic records. Maintains collections storage areas and galleries through proper methods of storage, display, movement, inventory, cataloguing, and climate control. Responsible for the security of the collection. Through supervision of the Registrar, oversees the coordination of incoming loans for exhibitions. Works with the Curator and Collections Committee of the Board of Governors in matters related to collections management. Participates in institutional strategic planning as it relates to the collection. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 
Collections Management

  • Participates in the long-term strategic planning for the collection; develops annual budgets for ongoing collections management tasks as well as long-term or upcoming projects.
  • Maintains and implements the Museum’s Collections Management Policy; recommends new policies and procedures, or revisions for existing ones, regarding the use of and access to collections.
  • Works with the Executive Director and Curator to recommend new acquisitions, deaccessions, and outgoing loans to the Collections Committee and Board of Governors.
  • Ensures the creation and maintenance of master collections records, and object records and images. Maintains the collections database, including the online public component.
  • Works with the Curator and education staff to review and approve uses of collections objects for educational purposes.
  • Responds to inquiries related to the collections. Reviews and fulfills permissions requests for use of object images by researchers, scholars, and publishers. Ensures adequate insurance coverage of the permanent collection and loan objects.

Collections Care

  • Maintains the galleries and onsite and offsite collection storage areas, including security and environmental conditions, integrated pest management, and current inventories and object locations.
  • Provides for the proper storage, display, and handling of artifacts. As appropriate, evaluates the condition of objects and, in collaboration with the Curator, assists with conservation efforts.
  • Oversees the security system and staff security access and procedures. With the Building and Grounds Manager, monitors the environmental conditions in the building, assists with maintenance of the HVAC equipment, and supervises maintenance work in the collections areas.
  • Maintains and implements the Emergency Preparedness Plan. Works with Director of Education to develop staff training in security, facilities, and Emergency Preparedness Plan.

Exhibitions

  • Supervises the Registrar’s coordination of incoming loans for special exhibitions, including packing, transport, insurance, and display.
  • Serves on the exhibition team, along with the Curator, Director of Education, Manager of Exhibitions and Design, and the Executive Director, to conceptualize, research, plan, implement, and install both temporary and permanent exhibitions in the Museum galleries.
  • Functions in part as an exhibition preparator (including physical labor) during implementation and installation of exhibitions, in collaboration with the Curator, Registrar, and outside contractors.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 
Supervises the Registrar and his/her responsibilities. Supervises temporary collections staff, interns and volunteers when necessary in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training volunteers; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints; and resolving problems. 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • The ability to successfully perform each essential duty as described above.
  • A passion for the Concord Museum’s mission and collection.
  • Extensive knowledge of standard collections practices and ethics related to acquisitions, deaccessions, and loans. Expertise in all collections management skills for objects of all types and materials, including object handling, cataloguing, paper and electronic record-keeping, inventory, storage, display, transport, environmental conditions, security, pest management, and insurance.
  • Prior use of a collections management database; proficiency with Microsoft Office.
  • Experience supervising colleagues and interns; experience developing and managing budgets.
  • Outstanding oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills. Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

  • Master’s degree in history, museum studies, material culture, public history, or related field.
  • At least 5 years of collections management experience and direct object care.
  • Must be comfortable with computers and able to work efficiently with databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and other software.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and list of references to [email protected].

Application Deadline: July 1. No phone calls please.

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