Manager Art Handling

Art Institute of Chicago•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Art Handling schedules, coordinates, and supervises the art handling and packing teams within the Collections and Loans department. In partnership with the Director, Loans and Exhibitions, the manager oversees the safe physical movement, installation, deinstallation, packing, and storage of permanent collection and loan objects across the museum campus. The role ensures that projects are completed safely, on schedule, and in accordance with museum best practices and conservation standards. The Collections and Loans department manages collection and loaned objects and establishes processes to meet museum policies and legal obligations to borrowers, lenders, donors, and sellers. Its work includes documentation and recordkeeping, inventory and audits, collection database and metadata management, logistics and shipping, art handling and packing, storage, insurance, and risk management. The department also uses data and technology to support collection care and museum operations.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 5 years of progressively responsible museum, gallery, or fine-art handling experience, including direct supervisory or team-lead experience.
Demonstrated proficiency in museum-standard packing, crating, rigging, mountmaking, and specialized art-handling equipment.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to lead cross-functional collaborations, resolve conflicts, foster an inclusive team culture, and work effectively with external vendors and contractors.
Demonstrated ability to manage multi-phase exhibition schedules, allocate labor resources, and manage budgets and contractors.
Analytical and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail and deadlines.
Proficiency with museum collection database systems such as CITI, TMS, or similar; project tracking tools such as Jira; and digital asset management platforms such as NetX.
Ability to move about the museum campus and actively assist with art handling and packing operations when necessary.
Color perception and physical coordination sufficient to perform TSA-mandated cargo screening duties.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field, vocational training, or an equivalent combination of education and hands-on museum or exhibition project management experience.
Strong working knowledge of Google Suite.
Valid driver’s license and willingness to drive a museum vehicle.

Responsibilities

Plan and schedule art handling for the collection, exhibitions, and stored objects, including deinstallation, unpacking, transportation, unloading, and storage.
Supervise packing, wrapping, and crating of collection objects and exhibition loans, ensuring custom housing meets conservation standards and air transit requirements.
Ensure specialists, technicians, and contractors follow institutional art handling and packing guidelines.
Develop and maintain project schedules covering tasks, milestones, resource allocation, and risks or issues; monitor progress and adjust scope or schedules as needed.
Close completed projects and record operational outcomes and metrics.
Coordinate with the Manager of Art Packing, Manager of Art Storage, and other internal departments to complete projects on schedule.
Attend, lead, and participate in exhibition planning, installation, and departmental meetings, both on-site and virtually.
Assign and supervise the daily work of specialists, technicians, freelance art handlers, and contractors; communicate expectations, evaluate performance, and provide guidance, coaching, and corrective action as needed.
Review applicant materials, conduct interviews, and make hiring recommendations for regular and contracted staff.
Schedule and implement specialized training in areas such as rigging, mountmaking, time-based media, and heavy equipment operation.
Approve timesheets, monitor payroll, review PTO requests, and document incident reports.
Promote workplace safety by monitoring the use of safety equipment, PPE, tools, and supplies in accordance with best practices and OSHA standards.
Maintain operator certifications and training logs, and coordinate equipment maintenance contracts and routine repairs.
Establish and maintain emergency preparedness protocols for art-related incidents and provide emergency response when required.
Maintain compliance with TSA standards, including crate inspections, secure chain-of-custody documentation, and required clearances.
Improve work assignments, time allocation, workflows, and movement tracking through technology, including CITI, Reporting Services, Jira, and NetX.
Research equipment applications and identify aesthetic and logistical solutions to art handling, packing, and display challenges.
Move about the museum campus and actively assist with art handling and packing operations when necessary.
Perform TSA-mandated cargo screening duties requiring sufficient color perception and physical coordination.