The New Haven Museum seeks an innovative, enthusiastic professional with demonstrated experience in the field of collections management to provide stewardship and access to the Museum’s outstanding collection of art, decorative arts, furniture and artifacts centered on the history of the Greater New Haven, Connecticut area. This professional will have the vision and capacity to rethink and define the Museum’s collection and role it plays in twenty- first century New Haven. This individual reports to the Executive Director and is a member of the Museum’s senior management team.

Organizational Summary

Founded in 1862 as the New Haven Colony Historical Society to preserve the history and traditions of the Greater New Haven region, the New Haven Museum stimulates inquiry and fosters appreciation of the history and heritage of our locale. The Museum’s collections date to the early years of the New Haven Colony and include more than 10,000 decorative and fine art objects and artifacts, an extensive photographic archive (75,000 prints, negatives, film), and the holdings of the Whitney Library, which exceed 30,000 volumes and 320 manuscript collections, as well as architectural drawings, maps, broadsides, newspapers, and other items. Exhibitions, lectures, events and publications bring 375 years of New Haven history to more than 10,000 visitors annually, including some 1,700 schoolchildren. The Museum is the steward of two historic buildings: its 1930 Colonial Revival-style headquarters at 114 Whitney Avenue, adjacent to the Yale University campus and downtown New Haven, and the historic c. 1780 Pardee-Morris House, which is open seasonally.

Job Summary

The Collections Manager sets the vision for the documentation, care, access and use of the New Haven Museum’s art and artifact collection and leads the initiatives for collections stewardship at the Museum and the Pardee-Morris House. The Collections Manager brings passion and knowledge about history to the identification, care, use and access of the Museum’s holdings.

The Collections Manager maintains and improves the paper and electronic systems, oversees and provides for the on-going maintenance and integrity of information about the collections, conducts inventories and catalogues objects, develops and recommends policy and procedures for collections activities, and oversees accessions, deaccessions and loans. Research on the collection and answering external research inquiries are also integral to the position. The Collections Manager recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers and interns in assisting with collection-related activities. The Collections Manager also develops and administers the departmental budget and works collaboratively with the Directors of the library and photographic collections, as well as other staff and community partners.

Duties/Essential Functions

 Provide stewardship for the collection.

 Evaluate and oversee the collection management database to ensure accurate object-based research and record keeping.

 Catalogue the collection.

 Conduct regular inventories.

 Oversee accessions, deaccessions and loans.

 Educate staff, board members, and the public on collections care issues.

 Work with the volunteer members of the Collections and Buildings Committees.

 Develop and administer the operating budget for the Museum’s Collections Management Department.

 Conduct collections-based research to answer public inquiries and to document the collection.

 Support other Museum staff, guest curators, and designers, with object-based research for new exhibitions and display of collection materials.

 Work with the Directors of the library and photographic collections and other staff to update the Museum’s Collections Management Policy.

 Recruit, train and lead interns and volunteers.

 Write grants to increase funding available for collection-based issues.

 Serve as the Museum’s public face for the collection through professional leadership activities, committees, and affiliations.

 Actively help to market and promote the collection to the media, community, and other outlets.

 Other duties as required.

Qualifications

Required

 Master’s degree or advanced Certificate in Museum Studies, American Studies, Public History, Material Culture or related field.

 Three to five years of experience managing a museum collection.

 Demonstrated understanding of best practices and standards of collection care including:

o Experience photographing, numbering and housing museum objects.

o Understanding and application of the standards for temperature and humidity in a museum environment.

o Experience with incoming and outgoing loan processes, condition reporting, inventory and cataloguing.

o Experience with risk management issues including disaster plan development.

 Grant writing experience.

 Proven success in creating a positive preservation culture in a museum setting.

 Familiarity with museum accreditation programs.

 Excellent written, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

 Attention to detail mandatory.

 Understanding of the internet and social media and their use in promoting greater access to museum collections.

Preferred

 Experience completing a cataloguing project.

 Experience evaluating and implementing new collections management software.

 Exposure to multiple collections management databases.

 Familiarity with typical historical society collections.

 Experience taking a collection on-line.

 Experience with rights and reproductions.

 Supervisory experience.

 Exposure to storage assessment and storage space redesign.

 Knowledge of Connecticut or New England history.

Additional Requirements

 Highly organized with the ability to work on several projects concurrently and handle standards for accuracy and quality.

 Able to work independently and maintain regular and timely attendance.

 Able to climb stairs, carry and lift 30 pounds, and stand or sit for extended periods of time.

 Able to work in sometimes dusty environments.

 Able to work weekend and evening hours as needed.

Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To apply, send cover letter, résumé, and a list of three references in Word or pdf format to

search@newhavenmuseum.org. Review of applications will begin immediately and will

continue until the position is filled. No phone calls, please. The New Haven Museum is an Equal

Opportunity Employer.