Collections Manager

Sfmoma•San Francisco, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Collections Manager is responsible for strategic management and use of physical art storage at SFMOMA’s Third Street location and Collections Center, and for coordinating movement of art between those facilities. The role supports long-term care, documentation, and access to the Museum’s collection and loans, including the Fisher Collection, in alignment with the Museum’s strategic priorities and the goals of the Collections Management department and Collections, Exhibitions and Design division. Reporting to the Director of Collections Management, the Collections Manager directly supervises the Collections Care and Access Team at both facilities, including preparators at the Collections Center. The position works closely with Registration, Conservation, Exhibitions & Program Management, Facilities, and other Museum colleagues. The primary workspace is the Collection Center in South San Francisco, with weekly duties at the Museum’s Third Street location. This is a fully onsite, full-time position scheduled for 35 hours per week. The successful candidate will learn the systems and practices of the Collections and CED teams during their first month to quarter, while fostering an inclusive work environment. Within the first year, they are expected to deepen their institutional understanding, plan and initiate collections care and access projects, and contribute to collection- and exhibition-based activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Art Conservation, Art History, or a related discipline.
At least five years of related experience in museum registration and/or collections management, including collection experience.
At least three years of direct supervisory experience.
Collections management expertise, thorough knowledge of registration methods, and significant experience applying collections care principles in modern and contemporary art museums.
Knowledge of conservation concepts, procedures, and terminology.
Knowledge of crating, packing, and transportation methods.
Strong management and supervisory skills, initiative, creative and flexible problem-solving ability, and ability to direct and motivate staff.
Ability to maintain focus and calm under pressure and with challenging or changing deadlines.
Detail orientation and experience using a variety of tools to track and report project status.
Proficiency with collections management systems.
Proficiency with Microsoft applications, including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Asana or another project management software platform.
Ability to visually inspect artwork.
Ability to lift 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Experience working with fine art collections.

Responsibilities

Manage team members based at the Museum’s Third Street location and Collections Center, supporting staff development, inclusion, safety, collaboration, communication, and sustainable workloads.
Partner with the Director of Collections Management and other department managers to support shared learning, best practices, and effective workflows across collections care.
Prioritize team activities and ensure the Collections Care and Access Team has the resources needed to complete its work.
Represent the Museum through conference presentations, guest lecturing, committee work, mentoring, and publications.
Plan and deliver strategic management and use of art storage at both facilities, maintaining high standards of care, security, sustainability, and access.
Oversee day-to-day management, maintenance, and cleaning of art storage spaces, and coordinate additional art-handling support with the Head Preparator.
Partner with Conservation and Facilities on storage climate conditions, integrated pest management, and housekeeping programs.
Plan and manage short- and long-term storage organization projects, including use of off-site storage and digital art storage systems.
Work with Collections Management, Registration, and Conservation colleagues on practices for art access, housing, matting, framing, storage, and movement.
Collaborate across the Museum to support art access and use, cross-disciplinary research, and creative engagement with the collection.
Oversee safe practices and maintenance in the Collections Center woodshop and other workspaces.
Lead regular and periodic collection audits, surveys, and inventories; research and reconcile discrepancies in artwork identification, numbering, and locations.
Contribute information and documentation to collections management and digital asset management systems, and track artwork condition in collaboration with relevant departments.
Coordinate the contracted weekly art shuttle between the Third Street location and Collections Center, and help resolve shuttle issues, including approving cancellations or additional shuttle days.
Ensure consistent application of Museum standards, policies, and procedures for art preparation, handling, rehousing, storage, installation and deinstallation, and transit.
Draft and contribute to policies and procedures that align with contemporary museum standards and SFMOMA strategies.
Manage and prioritize collection housing projects.
Manage the Collections Center Preparator’s weekly schedule, project assignments, and tasks.
Prepare budgets related to storage, housing, and movement of art; track and report data on collection growth, artwork location, use, and movement.
Develop, update, and implement Collections Management policies in partnership with the Director of Collections Management.