Head of Collections [HistoryMiami]

Located in downtown Miami, FL, HistoryMiami is a well-established museum with approximately forty full- and part-time employees. A Smithsonian Affiliate, the organization is the premier institution dedicated to gathering, preserving, and celebrating Miami’s history. This is an exciting period for the museum as we expand our galleries, public program venues, and spaces for collections. We seek an experienced, creative, and energetic professional to lead and re-envision the museum’s collections initiatives. Reporting to the museum’s Deputy Director, this full-time management position is responsible for overseeing the museum’s archival and object collections. The HistoryMiami Archives & Research Center collects visual materials, manuscripts and organizational records, and publications. Visual materials consist of maps, postcards, and architectural records and almost 2 million photographs. The museum’s object collection collects materials of historical, archaeological, and folklife interest, ranging from pre-Columbian pieces to contemporary items such as tools, furniture, boats, aviation materials, clothing, musical instruments, and religious items. The collection includes over 37,000 objects, mostly from the 20th century, and an additional 550 cubic feet of archaeological material.

Specifically, the Head of Collections:

• leads strategic and operational planning for the department, including the creation and implementation of a collections development plan;
• develops and implements the departmental budget, identifies public funding sources, and collaborates on grant applications and the solicitation of funding from private sources;

• recruits and supervises department staff, contractors, etc.

• supervises the Archivist and the Object Collections Manager in developing collections plans, including the acquisition, cataloguing, conservation, public access to and study of archival materials and artifacts;

• collaborates with staff on producing the museum’s exhibitions, including permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibitions;

• assists with overall institutional planning and advancement;

• delivers public presentations, and publishes in his/her areas of expertise and encourages the same among other staff.

HistoryMiami is committed to equal employment opportunity for all people without regard to race, religion, color, creed, age, sex, national origin, handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or a pregnancy-related condition.

Position Specifications:

• Requires a minimum of a M.A. in museum studies, library and information science, history or related discipline, or equivalent experience.

• A minimum of five years’ experience with leading collections initiatives, including conceptualizing, developing, and implementing projects in a museum or library setting.

• Extensive knowledge of and experience with implementing professional museum standards and guidelines for collections management.

• Prior experience with planning and overseeing collections expansion, including storage, shelving, public access, and digitization equipment needs is preferable.

• Proficiency in collections database systems.

• Experience in grant writing and soliciting monetary donations, as well as establishing and administering budgets.

• Experience with managing staff, consultants, interns, and volunteers.

• Experience with curating museum exhibitions is preferable.

• Strong project management and multitasking skills are essential.

• Strong writing and editing skills.

• High level of interest in working with Miami’s diverse community.

• Knowledge of Spanish is preferable, but not mandatory.

By January 5th, 2015, send letter of interest, resume, salary requirements, and the names of three references to Jorge Zamanillo, Deputy Director, HistoryMiami, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami, FL 33130, or email jzamanillo@historymiami.org.