Registrar/Collections Management [Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL]

Description

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

March 15, 2016

REGISTRAR

OVERVIEW

The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL, (MFA) seeks an experienced REGISTRAR with strong leadership skills and experience in all aspects of collection and exhibition management.  The Registrar will oversee the registration operations of the Museum’s permanent collection, an active exhibition program and incoming/outgoing loans.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Direct the packing/crating, shipment, handling and storage of works of art in conformity with accepted museum practices and the terms of the Museum’s Fine Arts insurance policy.
• Record the condition, receipt, shipment and location of all works of art both inside and outside the Museum.  Issue documentation for loans and gifts.
• Inspect works of art and complete condition reports.
• Act as a courier for special exhibitions, museum-organized traveling exhibitions and outgoing loans.
• Coordinate arrangements for museum-organized traveling exhibitions and outgoing loans from the collection.  Work in collaboration with select museum staff on the review and negotiation of traveling exhibition contracts, particularly as it pertains to shipping, crating, courier and insurance requirements.
• Create and maintain computerized records of the permanent and loan collections.
• Insure that all works of art in the Museum’s permanent and loan collections are handled properly and inspected regularly.  When necessary, arrange for needed conservation.
• Coordinate the removal of objects from the collection that have been officially deaccessioned.
• Maintain the Facility Report and distribute as needed, and assist with the Collection Management Policy.
• Assist with the development of exhibition related budgets and monitor the budget for collection needs.
• Assign and supervise the work of the Registration Department, which may include staff, interns, volunteers and contract workers.

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field and a minimum five years of increasingly responsible related museum experience; Master’s degree preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of collection management, documentation and preservation practices, policies and procedures (including art handling, condition reporting, packing/crating, domestic and international shipping, exhibition planning, courier arrangements, fine arts insurance, indemnity, immunity from seizure, and customs documentation).
• Excellent leadership, managerial, planning, organizational and administrative skills.
• Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills; high level of presentation, problem solving and diplomacy skills.
• Ability to be flexible, balance multiple projects concurrently and work with close attention to detail.
• Experience with collection management databases; (the MFA currently uses Past Perfect).
• Ability to inspire, motivate and lead a productive team, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people including trustees, donors, lenders and borrowers, vendors and the general public. Ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted, carry objects, climb ladders and stairs, and stand and sit for long periods of time.
• Willingness and ability to travel (by truck and/or plane) as needed.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your cover letter (including salary history), and resume to:

The Museum of Fine Arts of St. Petersburg

Attention: Human Resources

255 Beach Drive, NE

St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3498

or

hr@mfastpete.org

The position will remain open until filled.

THE MFA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER