Director of Exhibitions & Collections

Grounds For Sculpture•Hamilton Township, NJ

About The Position

The Director of Exhibitions and Collections Management leads the logistical planning and execution of interior and exterior exhibitions and art installations. This role is instrumental in shaping and maintaining an inclusive, thoughtful, and accessible approach to exhibition design and collections care. The Director coordinates across departments, develops, implements, and oversees policies and procedures that ensure the safe, ethical, and respectful stewardship of artworks across rotating exhibitions and the outdoor collection. The candidate is responsible for long-term planning, staff development, institutional coordination, artist relationships, risk management, and conservation planning, and serves as a key partner in grant writing related to institutional needs and curatorial and exhibition priorities. In close collaboration with a diverse team of internal and external partners, the Director ensures that all artworks are installed, insured, protected, and documented with the highest standards of care. This position also advises on legal, ethical, preservation, and logistical considerations, contributing to a culture of integrity, transparency, and shared responsibility.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
2-4 years' experience required.
Demonstrated experience in museum registration practices, with a commitment to ethical stewardship and inclusive collections management.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage respectfully and clearly with diverse internal and external audiences.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a commitment to accessibility, accuracy, and inclusiveness in all documentation and record-keeping practices.
Proven ability to manage projects and meet deadlines in a collaborative and respectful work environment.
Solid knowledge of contemporary sculpture, with an openness to a broad range of artistic expressions, voices, and practices.
Expertise in sculpture installation practices, with an emphasis on safety, accessibility, and honoring artists' intent.
Awareness of conservation issues and practices, including those that respect cultural context and material diversity.
Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities simultaneously, while maintaining a supportive and inclusive team environment
Microsoft Office suite – intermediate; database experience

Nice To Haves

Masters degree preffered
6-8 years' experience preferred.
3 years' additional work experience substituted for degree.

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, and implement all activities related to changing exhibitions, including artist scheduling, site visits, curatorial planning, installation logistics, and deinstallation.
Develop, propose, and manage the Curatorial Department's annual budget in alignment with organizational goals.
Coordinate the safe transport of artworks locally, nationally, and internationally in collaboration with the Registrar, ensuring best practices in handling and shipping.
Support the curator in collaboration with artists, fabricators, and other stakeholders on the development and production of new work for exhibitions.
Partner with the Chief Financial Officer and insurance broker to maintain appropriate fine art insurance and manage any related incident reports or claims.
Engage and supervise external vendors and contractors (e.g., riggers, installers) to support exhibition needs and timelines.
Foster consistent cross-departmental communication to align on upcoming projects and collaborative planning.
Manage image rights and reproduction requests for the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Ensure accurate and consistent documentation of the collection in both physical records and the collections database, partnering with the Registrar to maintain data integrity.
Identify and prepare conservation and collection care for grant funding opportunities.
Monitor indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces through routine inspections to ensure the safety and condition of artworks.
Prepare, negotiate, and manage contracts related to exhibitions and the permanent collection; provide contract guidance to other departments when needed.
Draft and revise policies related to collection care and exhibition practices, including implementation and updates to the Conservation Plan to remain up-to-date.
Oversee the production of exhibition texts, signage, catalogs, and digital materials, collaborating with in-house or external designers to ensure accessibility and inclusive design.
Advise on and contribute to social media content and public communications related to exhibitions and the collection.
Occasionally give public talks or presentations that support institutional engagement with members and the broader community.
Manage departmental workflows and timelines to ensure efficient execution of curatorial and exhibition-related tasks.
Supervise and mentor interns and volunteers, ensuring a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Advise and assist with training and onboarding of departmental staff, interns, and volunteers.
Lead the annual review and reporting of the permanent collection inventory, preparing a summary for the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
Support and contribute to the implementation and regular revision of the organization's Conservation Plan in alignment with strategic priorities.
Guide the development and review of curatorial and collections management policies in collaboration with relevant departments and stakeholders.