Director of Collections and Exhibitions

Job Summary

The Director of Collections and Exhibitions reports to the CEO and is a senior leadership role responsible for the stewardship, care, and strategic development of the museum's permanent collection and exhibitions program.

Key Responsibilities

• Directly supervise the Collections Department, including staff interns, and volunteers, providing vision, mentorship, and clear direction.
• Contribute to museum-wide strategic planning and long-term collections and exhibitions initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with lending institutions and donors, artists, and community partners, communicating with clarity, tact, and deep museum expertise.
• Represent the museum with professionalism and authority in all collections and exhibition-related communications.
• Provide expert guidance and clear communication to inspire confidence and uphold the museum’s reputation for excellence.

Collections Stewardship and Oversight

• Oversee all aspects of collections care, including preventive conservation, storage, handling, environmental monitoring, and risk management.
• Ensure compliance with museum best practices, legal requirements, and ethical standards (AAM, AAMD, ICOM).
• Supervise and support the Registrar in maintaining accurate records, coordinating loans, new acquisitions and deaccessions, managing insurance, and ensuring proper documentation.
• Approve and guide conservation priorities, treatment proposals, and long-term preservation strategies.

Exhibitions Management

• Provide leadership for the planning, design, and execution of exhibitions, from concept through deinstallation.
• Manage major installation projects, coordinating cross-departmentally to ensure safe, efficient, and timely execution.
• Collaborate closely with the Curators, Exhibition Designer, and Preparators to uphold artistic intent, visitor experience, and safety standards.
• Serve as registrar for select exhibitions, including condition reporting, shipping coordination, and lender communication.

Budgeting and Administration

• Develop, manage, and track departmental and project-specific budgets.
• Oversee procurement, contracts, and vendor relationships.
• Prepare reports, proposals, and documentation for leadership, funders, and the board.
• Ensure confidentiality of sensitive information, including donor records, insurance documents, and artwork valuations.