Collections Manager & Registrar

About the role

The National Medal of Honor Museum is seeking a detail-oriented and dedicated Collections Manager and Registrar to serve as a critical steward of the Museum’s growing collection of artifacts, archival materials, and objects connected to the stories of Medal of Honor recipients. This position plays an essential role in preserving the physical and historical integrity of the collection while ensuring that each artifact is thoughtfully documented, properly cared for, and accessible for future generations. Through careful collections management, preservation, and stewardship, this role helps safeguard the tangible history entrusted to the Museum by Medal of Honor recipients, their families, donors, and partners.

The Collections Manager and Registrar advances the Museum’s mission to educate and inspire by increasing access to the collection and supporting the work of Curatorial, Education, and other Museum teams. They will lead efforts to transform individual objects into resources that deepen understanding of the courage, sacrifice, commitment, integrity, citizenship, and patriotism represented by the Medal of Honor. The successful candidate will bring a high level of care, organization, curiosity, and professionalism to the stewardship of these important collections and the stories they represent.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the caretaker of the museum’s growing artifact collections, including accessioning, cataloging, maintaining inventories, creating archival housing, and managing both physical and digital records.
• Ensure proper care and preservation of the museum collections by overseeing storage areas, monitoring environmental conditions, and performing curatorial housekeeping.
• Oversee all paperwork for incoming and outgoing artifact donation and loan agreements with external partners, Medal of Honor recipients, and their families.
• Consult with Curatorial and Education teams to identify and prioritize artifacts and records needing additional research.
• Increase access through digitization of collections according to established procedures, standards, and best practices.
• Create digital surrogates of cataloged items through scanning or photography.
• Identify and flag objects requiring further attention, including condition reports, digitization, housing, or research.
• Enhance and maintain existing catalog records to provide additional contextual, descriptive, and administrative information.
• Represent the National Medal of Honor Museum and its collection at community events or private engagements as needed.
• Participate in curatorial meetings and activities.
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in history, anthropology, museum studies, American studies, or a related field. Master’s degree in History, Museum Studies, Anthropology, Public History, or a related program highly preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in collections management, registration, or a related museum role.
• Demonstrated experience with object handling, preservation, and collections documentation from acquisition to long-term care.
• Experience working with museum collection management databases.
• Knowledge of American history and the history of the Medal of Honor.

Skills

• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, relationships, and confidential matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting polished correspondence and professional materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish credibility and positive working relationships across departments.
• Ability to anticipate needs, work independently, solve problems, and take initiative without extensive direction.
• Strong project coordination and relationship management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and related technology).
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic nonprofit environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to travel occasionally to inquire about new artifacts, foster relationships with industry partners, or represent the Museum.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to attend and support meetings, events, donor engagements, and other activities that may require extended periods of standing or walking.
• Adequate visual acuity and ability to grasp and handle objects.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 30 pounds; 50 lbs+ when working with assistance.

Pay

Competitive salary range of $70,000 - $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Paid vacation.
• 401k plan.
• Relocation allowance available.