Registrar and Exhibitions Manager [The Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco, CA]

Description

Position Purpose

The Registrar and Exhibitions Manager serves as the liaison for the Exhibition Department with the other Museum departments. S/he is responsible for maintaining and disseminating up-to-date and accurate information, including the prospectus for each exhibition, approved images and texts, exhibitions rules and requirements, and curatorial statements.  S/he coordinates scheduling with facilities rentals and special events, coordinates contracts and prepares departmental budgets. S/he is responsible for the transportation of art objects to and from The Museum, and for their safe handling and exhibition according to museum best practices. This role also encompasses the marketing and coordination of traveling exhibitions generated by The Museum.  The Contemporary Jewish Museum is a non-collecting institution.

The Registrar and Exhibitions Manager reports to the Chief Curator, work closely with the Chief Preparator, and supervise on-call Registrar Assistants.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Develop and manage exhibitions department budget with the Chief Curator and in consultation with the Chief Preparator.  Analyze cost options, and develop recommendations for cost efficiencies and revenue generation.

• Coordinate exhibition contracts with the COO and Chief Curator; monitor terms and compliance during contract periods.  Serve as liaison with visual artists on contract matters.  Communicate requirements of lenders to Chief Preparator.

• Update and disseminate exhibitions calendar.  Maintain internal department calendar with key dates and ensure smooth coordination with building maintenance activities, facilities rentals, and special events.

• Manage rights and reproductions and other record-keeping related to incoming and outgoing loans.  Administer legal forms for registration activity (loan agreements, receipt/release, gift agreement, etc), logs, and other appropriate forms.

• Manage insurance coverage for exhibition loans, including calculating requirements, processing claims, and coordinating insurance certificates.

• Maintain and update The CJM Standard Facility Report working with the Chief Preparator; distribute reports to lenders.

• Perform condition reports of exhibition materials upon entry and exit of The CJM.  Coordinate movement of exhibition material at off-site storage locations.

• Oversee conservation of objects.  Supervise packing and framing.

• Monitor gallery and storage environments, and security related to art storage and exhibitions.  Advise facilities and/or security staff on requirements specific to each exhibition. Advise exhibitions department on display and other collection or exhibition issues.

• Participate in marketing planning for CJM-originated touring exhibitions with Chief Curator and in consultation with senior management team.   Participate in promoting and arranging future touring exhibitions.

• Oversee the installation of traveling exhibitions at other venues; arrange packing, transport and couriers, and/or serve as The CJM courier if needed.

• Develop, maintain and enforce policies and procedures for the exhibitions department and all registration activity.

• Manage original registration records of all objects owned by The CJM or housed at Museum facilities, including the EmBARK database.  Address issues related to cataloguing, care, preservation and storage of art works under the care of The CJM.

• Maintain exhibition archive.

• Serve as The CJM’s primary security coordinator for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screenings and inspections.

• Participate in local, regional and national conferences as appropriate.

Requirements

Job Qualifications

• B.A. degree in art history, museum studies, or related field; M.A. preferred.
• Minimum five years as a Registrar or similar position in a museum coordination experience in increasingly responsible positions.
• Expertise in standard museum registration practices including cataloguing, conservation, and storage practices; packing, crating, and shipping practices; and legal and insurance issues.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience negotiating and coordinating with artists, vendors and insurance companies on requirements and agreements.
• Experience with EmbARK database software preferred.
• Experience managing others effectively and working collaboratively in team settings.
• Strong project and budget management skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Physical requirements

• Extensive reading and writing skills via computer; ability to follow written and oral instructions and procedures.
• Open space work cube environment with light background noise.
• Excellent manual dexterity, visual and hearing acuity.
• Ability to be on your feet up to seven hours a day.

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