Collections Manager [The Preservation Society of Newport County, Newport, RI]

Description

Reporting to the Director of Museum Affairs, the Collections Manager is primarily responsible for the stewardship of the Preservation Society’s collection, including accurate record-keeping, inventory, moving, storage, insurance and planning activities.  As head of the Collections Department, and working closely with the Curators and Conservators, the Collections Manager maintains not only the physical safety of the objects but also ensures the accuracy and accessibility of information.  Guided by the Collections Management Policy and the standards and guidelines set forth by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the Collections Manager will:

• Accession all loans and permanent gifts to the Museum; write and review deeds of gift, loan agreements and other documents; correspond with donors, lenders and professional colleagues.
• Arrange for temporary loans and traveling exhibitions to include transport, supervision of shipping and receiving, preparation of condition reports (in consultation with conservator), staging and storage while not on display.
• Supervise packing, shipping and all aspects of installation and re-installation of both loan and permanent collections and supervise personnel involved in those activities.
• Maintain and ensure the accuracy of the collections database.  Verify descriptions and other data for accuracy and consistency.  Responsible for the collections database software and its maintenance and upgrading.
• Schedule and oversee all transportation of any collections and arranges for insurance as needed.   Oversee object movement, both within the PSNC properties and externally.
• Facilitates care and control of collections on site.
• May be called upon to courier works on loan to museums in the U.S. or internationally.
• Serve as the PSNC risk manager for collections, maintaining good communication with curators and conservators of PSNC, properties department staff and security personnel of PSNC, as well as with the insurance agent, fire marshal, pest control services personnel, and all other persons connected with collections and related service needs.
• Develop (or assist in developing) policies for the collections, including but not limited to: collections management policy, disaster mitigation policy, pest management policy and housekeeping plans.
• Supervise any Collections department staff, interns or volunteers.   Draft contracts for collections related services and oversee contractors in collections areas.
• Represent PSNC at meetings and in publications of professional associations and organizations.

Requirements

• M.A. in Museum Studies, Art History, Decorative Arts or related humanities field required.
• 5 years of documented experience managing collections similar in composition to those of the PSNC (such as European and American fine and decorative arts).
• 3 years experience in administration and managing a budget are required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite; experience with MuseumsPlus or similar collections management database strongly preferred.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, professional correspondence and memos. Requires knowledge of spoken and written English.   Additional languages desirable.
• Ability to compose formal and informal communications to all levels of the organization.  Requires strong command of English as well as demonstrated writing ability.
• Strong communication and public speaking ability, including the capacity to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to understand and manage project budgets and track multiple income streams.
• Flexible, energetic and collaborative team-player with excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Strong self-starter with the ability to work independently, self-manage time, multi-task and establish priorities.

Please email a cover letter and resume with contact information for professional references to humanresources@newportmansions.org or mail to 424 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI  02840.