Art Collection Manager

JLL•New York City, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Art Collection Manager is responsible for the comprehensive stewardship, operations, and strategic activation of a dynamic corporate art collection. This role ensures the collection operates as a strategic asset that enhances the firm's brand, workplace culture, and client experience. This position requires exceptional organizational capability, operational rigor, and strategic communication skills. The Art Collection Manager oversees all logistics—from acquisitions support and inventory systems to conservation, shipping, installation—while 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.
Excellent project management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
Demonstrated expertise in collection management database systems, as well as Microsoft programs including Powerpoint and Excel.
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.
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

Manage day-to-day operations of a 6,000+ work corporate art collection across multiple office locations, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with firm standards and values.
Oversee inventory management using collection management database systems; maintain accurate records of provenance, condition, location, valuation, insurance, and image assets.
Coordinate all logistics related to artwork movement, including packing, shipping, receiving, installation, deinstallation, rotation, storage, and disposal in compliance with fine art handling best practices.
Manage conservation and preservation programs, conducting regular condition assessments, coordinating treatment with external conservators, and maintaining environmental monitoring protocols.
Oversee framing, matting, mounting, and presentation standards, ensuring visual consistency and protection of artworks in corporate environments.
Lead vendor and consultant relationships, including art handlers, shippers, conservators, framers, appraisers, registrars, curators, and installers; negotiate contracts, manage budgets, and ensure service quality.
Update and maintain policies and procedures governing collection care, risk management, loans, gifts, and ethical standards in accordance with industry best practices.
Manage artwork copyright and image rights, including securing permissions, licensing agreements, and reproduction rights for internal and external uses.
Ensure compliance with copyright law, artist contracts, and intellectual property regulations in all collection-related publications, digital platforms, and marketing materials.
Oversee production of collection-related publications, including printed catalogs, exhibition guides, brochures, and digital content.
Manage editorial workflows, coordinating writers, editors, photographers, designers, and printers to deliver high-quality materials on time and within budget.
Develop collection narratives and storytelling content that articulate the firm's curatorial vision, highlight artist achievements, and contextualize works for diverse audiences.
Serve as liaison to business units and corporate real estate teams regarding artwork proposals, placements, rotations, and special requests for offices, conference centers, client spaces, and executive floors.
Craft Powerpoint presentations for stakeholder review and feedback.
Plan and lead collection tours; deliver engaging presentations tailored to audience interests and backgrounds.
Create educational programming and materials, including lecture series, artist talks, panel discussions, digital storytelling and newsletters for website content.
Manage project budgets covering acquisitions, conservation, framing, insurance, storage, shipping, publications, marketing, and vendor services.
Track expenses, manage purchase orders, process invoices, and provide financial reporting and forecasting to senior leadership.
Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies, cost savings, and process improvements across collection management workflows.
Oversee insurance programs, including fine art policies, risk assessments, valuations, claims, and certificate management.
Ensure compliance with health, safety, and security protocols for artwork handling, storage facilities, and exhibition spaces.
Develop emergency preparedness and disaster recovery plans to protect the collection from damage, theft, or loss.