Director of Collections

About the Eames Institute

The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to advancing the dynamic legacy of 20th-century designers Ray and Charles Eames. By sharing the things the Eameses made and loved, along with their joyful and rigorous approach to life and work, we seek to inspire creative problem-solving that positively shapes our world.

With our vast collections, digital and print offerings, an extensive program of events, and the Eames Ranch, we aim to demonstrate the enduring value of the Eameses' philosophy and invite people to explore their curiosity, ask questions, and implement creative solutions to the challenges of today.

About the Role

The Director of Collections—with “Collections” defined broadly to include archives, libraries, and all other collected assets—will serve as a senior leader within the Collections Team and a key strategic partner to the Chief Curator. This role will help shape and implement the overall collections strategy, including establishing priorities, workflows, protocols, resource planning, and budget considerations related to the care, stewardship, and long-term integration of the Institute’s collections across multiple sites.

• Define collections-related requirements for the new museum, including storage, exhibition, research, and public access.
• Collaborate with architects, designers, and project teams on collections facilities planning, including storage design, environmental controls, workspaces, and back-of-house operations.
• Develop a transition plan from the current facility to the future museum, including risk assessment, logistics, and phased movement strategies.
• Establish scalable systems and policies that support growth across multiple collections.
• Oversee and manage Collections Team members.
• Partner with curatorial leadership to help shape collections development strategy, including acquisitions, deaccessioning, and stewardship priorities aligned with institutional mission.
• Manage overall budget for the Collections Team and any other collections-related operating costs, less capitalized expenditures.
• Refine organizational, processing, and cataloging strategies for the Institute’s collections, archives, and libraries.
• Oversee and ensure long-term data management and systems related to all artifacts.
• Maintain clean, orderly archives, collections, library, and related workspaces at all Institute facilities.
• Guide digitization strategy and digital access initiatives, balancing preservation, access, and rights management.
• Oversee and ensure long-term data management and systems related to all artifacts.
• Coordinate activities with Collections Manager & Registrar to ensure excellence across both internal care and external loans.
• Represent the Eames Institute at professional conferences pertaining to the Institute’s collections holdings or practices.
• Stay current with professional association memberships so that the Collections Team is operating at the highest level of current professional best practice.
• Interface with other institutions and pertinent institutional databases worldwide, identifying opportunities to create partnerships and linked data, where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Museum Planning
• Team Operating Practices
• Conservation & Preservation
• Collections Access
• Organization & Team Culture

Required Education, Skills, Abilities, Competencies

• Deep knowledge of archival and collections processing methodologies
• Familiarity with library and archival standards (e.g., AAT, LCSH, DACS)
• Knowledge of object handling, documentation, and cataloging best practices
• Experience collaborating across departments and with external partners
• Experience planning or contributing to new museum, storage, or cultural facility projects, including familiarity with collections facility design and build-out.
• Experience with risk management, emergency preparedness, and disaster response planning for collections.
• Knowledge of legal, ethical, and compliance considerations related to collections stewardship and access.
• Demonstrated ability to support complex, multi-year projects involving cross-functional teams and external consultants.
• Knowledge of museum-grade storage, environmental standards, and risk mitigation in new construction or renovation contexts.
• 10-15+ years of experience in a museum, archive, or library setting, with increasing responsibility.
• 5-7+ years of management experience, including team leadership, hiring, mentoring, and budgeting.
• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS), with an emphasis in archives or special collections, Museum Studies or equivalent related work experience.
• Policy development for collections access and use.

Essential Functions

• Schedule: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Primarily onsite at the Eames Archives in Richmond, with occasional lite travel to other workspaces in the Bay Area (Eames Ranch and William Stout Architectural Books).
• Physical Demands: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Frequent use of hands for typing, writing, and handling office equipment. Ability to lift and carry office supplies and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds. Occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching within the office environment. Regular use of vision abilities including close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to communicate effectively with others via phone, video conference, and in person. May require occasional travel for exhibition planning, conferences, or collection acquisition.

What We Offer

• Salary range for this role is $150,000 - $190,000
• The Eames Institute offers a competitive benefits package, including...
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
• 401k employer match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Commuting benefits
• Professional development
• Charitable giving match

Benefits

Benefits are subject to change at the employer’s discretion.

EEO Statement

The Eames Institute values diversity, inclusion & belonging for all, and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We strive to create a workplace that empowers people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to feel respected, valued, and able to contribute at the highest level.