"Collections Manager and Registrar"

Job Description Summary

The Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM) seeks a Collections Manager and Registrar who is a knowledgeable and experienced art museum professional who leads and implements the highest standards of stewardship for a significant university art museum collection of approximately 17,500 objects. The Collections Manager and Registrar is responsible for the continuity of care for works of art under RCCAM’s stewardship, for receiving and managing objects on loan, as well as managing acquisition and deaccessioning procedures. Another key role of the Collections Manager and Registrar is to facilitate access to collections for teaching, learning and research needs, and provide information to assist in the development of university classes.

Job Description

The Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM), accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, seeks a Collections Manager and Registrar who is a knowledgeable and experienced art museum professional who leads and implements the highest standards of stewardship for a significant university art museum collection of approximately 17,500 objects. The Collections Manager and Registrar is responsible for the continuity of care for works of art under RCCAM’s stewardship, for receiving and managing objects on loan, as well as managing acquisition and deaccessioning procedures. Another key role of the Collections Manager and Registrar is to facilitate access to collections for teaching, learning and research needs, and provide information to assist in the development of university classes.

The Collections Manager and Registrar will play an important role in maintaining the collections in their current locations, as well as engaging in long range planning of future museum storage enhancements and expansion of the RCCAM building and related collections spaces. The Collections Manager and Registrar will help support RCCAM as it develops its future online collections platform and increases access to its collections through digital means. Through work with the RCCAM team, the Collections Manager and Registrar will contribute to the development of collections, exhibitions, programs, and teaching.

Responsibilities of the Collections Manager and Registrar include, but are not limited to:

• Catalog, archive and inventory objects in a growing collection of more than 17,500 objects.
• Advise the Director and the Curator of Exhibitions regarding new acquisitions, storage, conservation issues, collections development strategies, as well as deaccessioning.
• Coordinate with the Curator of Exhibitions and the Preparator on exhibition checklists, loan agreements, insurance, and shipping arrangements.
• Collaborate with Preparator and other museum team members regarding storage facilities, exhibition mounts, and displays.
• Facilitate requests for collections access for teaching, learning, and research.
• Facilitate loan requests for collections internally at Miami University and for external museums.
• Interview, hire, and supervise student interns, graduate assistants, employees and volunteers.

Additional duties include:

• Implement museum policies and procedures in accordance with University guidelines and professional best practices;
• Maintain collections database and ensure accuracy of information used internally and externally through a searchable platform;
• Work independently and as part of a team to prepare lists and reports of objects for review, study, and exhibition preparation;
• Engage with faculty, students, and university guests and visiting researchers to provide access to collections and related information;
• Prepare classes and research visits involving access and study of physical and digital collections;
• Work with a Miami University photographer in documenting RCCAM’s collections;
• Work assignments may require advanced knowledge, skills, or abilities. Some independent judgment or initiative;
• The position includes the responsibility to supervise, student employees, collections interns, research fellows, and project employees;
• May require a significant amount of physical exertion, adverse hours, or working conditions;
• Areas of work include Art Museum & Sculpture Park, spaces within Miami University pertaining to artworks, and spaces outside Miami University related to lending and collaborative activities with other museums;
• Attend special events outside of regular office hours when assigned;
• Serve as courier for lending of collections to other institutions if required.
• Contribute to outreach initiatives by providing content for newsletters, social media, and related communications;
• Review and update Collection Management Policies and Procedures in response to planning and evaluation efforts and reports;
• Oversee and implement the collections portion of the Museum’s Disaster Preparedness Plan, in conjunction with the Director, Curator of Exhibitions, Operations Manager, and University risk management guidelines;
• Represent RCCAM in public programs, teaching, guest lectures, workshop presentations, RCCAM annual meeting, and participation in national professional groups.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

Knowledge of world art history, familiarity with art materials and processes, as well as exhibition planning processes; Knowledge and use of Collections Management Systems, such as TMS or similar; Knowledge of standard office procedures and equipment; Knowledge of computers and office applications. Familiarity with Google Workspace and Adobe Creative Suite is desirable; Some knowledge of administrative procedures, which may include budgeting, research, preparing reports and evaluations; Work well with others as part of a team, ranging from staff, student assistants, faculty and volunteer docents; Ability to manage simultaneous priorities and to work effectively with other team members; Familiarity with American Alliance of Museums accreditation process and standards, and core document requirements; Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal forms as appropriate for the needs of the audience; Knowledge of federal and state policies and procedures relating to collections and exhibitions ethics, and legal regulations relating to the collection.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Library Science, Arts Management, or a related field (such as Art History or Anthropology), and 3 years experience in collections management and registration at a museum, arts, education, or non-profit institution.

Consideration may be given to candidates with a Master’s degree in Museum Studies, Library Science, Arts Management, or a related field such as Art History or Anthropology; 5 years experience in collections management and registration at a museum, arts, education, or non-profit institution; the ability to teach museum-related or collections-focused courses at Miami University is desirable

Required Application Documents

resume, cover letter required

Special Instructions (if applicable)

Please contact Jason Shaiman for questions about this position: shaimaje@miamioh.edu