Art Collection Manager

JLL•New York, NY

4d•$95,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Art Collection Manager is responsible for the comprehensive stewardship, operations, and strategic activation of a dynamic 6,000+ work corporate art collection. This role ensures the collection operates as a strategic asset that enhances the firm's brand, workplace culture, and client experience. The position requires exceptional organizational capability, operational rigor, and strategic communication skills while overseeing all logistics, managing copyright/licensing, producing collection publications, and leading tours and marketing initiatives that bring the collection to life for employees, clients, and external audiences.

Requirements

Master's degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, Art Business, or a related field; or Bachelor's degree with equivalent professional experience in collection management
7–12+ years of progressive experience in art collection management, museum registration, curatorial administration, or gallery operations, preferably within a corporate, institutional, or high-net-worth private collection environment
Demonstrated expertise in collection management database systems
Proven experience managing complex logistics, including shipping, installation, conservation, insurance, and inventory control for large-scale art collections
Strong knowledge of copyright law, artist rights, licensing agreements, and intellectual property management in the visual arts
Experience producing publications (print and digital) related to art collections, exhibitions, or cultural programming
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience delivering presentations and leading tours for executive, client, and public audiences
Excellent project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a financial services, professional services, or Fortune 500 corporate environment, with understanding of corporate culture, branding, and workplace strategy
Familiarity with contemporary art market trends, artists, galleries, auction houses, and collecting practices
Experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating contracts for art-related services
Knowledge of appraisal standards, valuation methodologies, and tax/legal considerations related to corporate art collections
Background in marketing, communications, or public programming related to art collections or cultural institutions

Responsibilities

Managing day-to-day operations of a 6,000+ work corporate art collection across multiple office locations, maintaining inventory management systems with accurate records of provenance, condition, location, valuation, insurance, and image assets
Coordinating all logistics related to artwork movement, including packing, shipping, receiving, installation, deinstallation, rotation, storage, and disposal in compliance with fine art handling best practices
Managing conservation and preservation programs by conducting regular condition assessments, coordinating treatment with external conservators, and maintaining environmental monitoring protocols
Leading vendor and consultant relationships with art handlers, shippers, conservators, framers, appraisers, registrars, curators, and installers; negotiating contracts and managing budgets
Managing artwork copyright and image rights, securing permissions, licensing agreements, and reproduction rights while ensuring compliance with copyright law and intellectual property regulations
Overseeing production of collection-related publications including printed catalogs, artist monographs, exhibition guides, and digital content by coordinating editorial workflows with writers, editors, photographers, designers, and printers
Planning and leading collection tours for employees, clients, board members, and VIP guests; creating educational programming including lecture series, artist talks, and digital storytelling
Serving as liaison to business units and corporate real estate teams regarding artwork proposals, placements, rotations, and special requests for offices and client spaces
Managing project budgets covering acquisitions, conservation, framing, insurance, storage, shipping, publications, and marketing; tracking expenses and providing financial reporting to senior leadership