Collections Storage Manager
Philadelphia Museum of Art
We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace
At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
How You Will Contribute
Under the direction and in support of the Director of Registration, the Collection Storage Manager oversees the stewardship of the collection housed in the offsite storage facility and temporary storage in the main building, as well as the supervision of art technicians. The Collection Storage Manager is responsible for organizing, recording, and facilitating all movement of the art objects into, within, and out of the offsite storage facility, including scheduling and coordinating shipments with fine arts shippers. This individual provides oversight for movement of works of art for photography projects and student/scholar access to works of art at the facility. In collaboration with Facilities & Operations, the Collection Storage Manager monitors and reports on building conditions as it relates to the storage of the art. In addition to collection management, the position has registrar and art handling responsibilities and supervises a team of art technicians.
Specifically, you will:
Provide Collection Management Oversight
Oversee object storage and facilitate the care and control of the collection housed in the offsite storage facility, and temporary storage in the main building
Maintain the physical order and organization of works of art; tag artworks and label crates, packing and accessories
Recommend and implement procedures to ensure the proper care, preservation, and security of the collection
Oversee, coordinate, implement and document object movement (to, from, and within the storage facility) including packing and shelving
Coordinate and oversee shipments between buildings with fine arts shippers and contractors, including soliciting estimates and scheduling shipments
Notify appropriate curatorial and other departments with updated transfer information
Organize and implement inventory projects
Implement collection policies and procedures and make recommendations for improvements
Pull objects for curatorial, conservation, and student/scholar access
Perform special projects as assigned
Perform other duties as assigned
Provide Information Management
Log object movement and locations into The Museum System (TMS)
Maintain accurate records and files (physical and digital) of works housed in or moving to/from the storage facility
Create itineraries for transfer of artworks between the Main building, offsite storage, and the Perelman building
Provide Facility Oversight
Identify and report or mitigate maintenance issues
Work closely with Facilities and Protection Services to monitor the facility, security efforts, and environment and report issues to the Director of Registration and other appropriate staff
Maintain the emergency response plan
Supervise of Art Technicians
Be responsible for the development and implementation of training, procedures, and protocol for art technicians.
Schedule and coordinate art movement and packing by technicians.
Act as liaison with registrars, conservators, and curators regarding projects and coordination of art movement.
Drive fine arts vehicle to supplement existing art technician team as needed.
Your background and experience include:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience working in collections management
Several years of registrar or collections management experience
Excellent collection cataloging experience
Strong organizational and risk assessment skills
Excellent communication skills
Exceptional attention to detail and can maintain accuracy while handling large amounts of sensitive data
Ability to work in environment with multiple and changing priorities
Strong computer skills with experience in collections management software
Knowledge of art handling procedures
Position and Compensation Details
The minimum salary for this position is $50,000.
This position is full-time, exempt, working 35 hours per week.
This position requires the ability to act as an emergency responder with 24/7 on-call status.
This position requires a current valid drivers’ license and good driving record.
This position reports to Director of Registration
Physical requirements:
Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
Able to perform work at both the offsite storage facility and other buildings operated by the museum
Able to move up to 75 pounds as well as move through the buildings and work independently to move art
Able to use (or be trained to use) forklift and other equipment necessary to access works of art
COVID-19 vaccination required.Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
Institutional Requirements
Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum, and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
Maintains confidentiality.
Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.