Part-Time Collections Manager/Collections Manager Assistant

Denison University•Granville, OH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Collections Manager Manages the Denison Museum Permanent Collection, which comprises ~8,000 objects from Asia, Europe, and North and Central America in various media, including stone, wood, paper, lacquer, metal, and oils. The Collections Manager leads long-range planning efforts and day-to-day activities relative to the care and stewardship of the Permanent Collection. Over the next three to five years, priorities include completing accreditation, working with external scholars on object identification and valuation, and overseeing the acquisitions and deaccession process. Position Summary Manage and care for the Denison Museum Permanent Collection, comprising approximately 8,000 objects from Asia, Europe, and North and Central America in a wide range of media including stone, wood, paper, lacquer, metal, textiles, ceramics, and paintings. Working closely with the Museum Director and Curator, this position supports both the long-term stewardship of the collection and its active use in teaching, exhibitions, and research. Current institutional priorities include continued collections stewardship, accreditation preparation, collections research, acquisitions and deaccessioning, and improving public access to the collection.

Requirements

Master's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, History, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
Three to five years of progressively responsible museum collections management experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience demonstrating the knowledge and skills required for the position.
Demonstrated experience with museum collections management, including registration, cataloging, object handling, preventive conservation, storage, documentation, and collections database management.
Experience using museum collections management software (CollectorSystems preferred).
Knowledge of museum standards, ethics, legal issues, and best practices related to collections stewardship.
Strong written, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
Experience supervising students, interns, or project teams is preferred.
Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, History, Anthropology, or a closely related field.
One to three years of museum collections experience preferred, including internships, graduate assistantships, or professional positions involving collections management, registration, or collections care.
Demonstrated experience with object handling, cataloging, collections databases, and museum documentation.
Working knowledge of museum collections standards and preventive conservation principles.
Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to learn new systems and work collaboratively in a teaching museum environment.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in progress or completed.
Experience using CollectorSystems or another museum collections management system.
Experience supporting exhibitions, digitization projects, or collections research.
Experience supervising student workers or volunteers.

Responsibilities

Identify collections priorities and assist with planning project workflows in coordination with the Museum Director and Curator.
Supervise and train student employees working on cataloging, rehousing, collections care, and research projects.
Oversee object preservation, cataloging, acquisitions, and deaccessioning activities.
Maintain the Museum Collections Management System (CollectorSystems preferred) and public collections interface.
Generate condition reports, loan agreements, deeds of gift, insurance documentation, and collections records.
Coordinate object handling, storage, packing, transportation, and installation following museum best practices.
Assist with facilities management, collections security, environmental monitoring, and risk management.
Respond to research inquiries, publication requests, and donor communications.
Collaborate with the Museum Director and Curator to prepare objects for exhibitions, teaching, and public programs.
Participate in grant writing, budget planning, and museum initiatives as assigned.
Supervises student workers as needed.