Note: Applicants should apply directly through the application portal at https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/19069?c=arizona
Position Highlights
The Head of Collections is a new leadership position that will professionalize and unify collections care and access at the Center for Creative Photography. The position will oversee CCP’s unmatched collection of some 290 archives and 110,000 fine prints, which together capture the histories, lives, and expressions of some of the most iconic photographic artists in modern North American history, and in a way that no other institution can. The new Head of Collections will bring together the currently separate departments of archives and registration and unite the management of the archival and fine prints collections under one vertical for the first time. Leading up to its 50th anniversary in 2025, CCP is seeking a visionary and strategic Head of Collections with interest in and capacity for both the high-level and ground-level work to help to develop and execute a plan to future-proof those collections for generations to come.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Administration
• Articulates a compelling vision of the role and impact of CCP’s collection as the medium and field continues to expand and change.
• Conducts an infrastructure analysis to determine the facilities, systems, and housing needs for collections now and in the future.
• Develops a collections plan that can be used for staffing strategies, investment prioritization, and fundraising, and that maps out both the archives’ and fine prints’ specific labor, funding, and infrastructure needed to support that plan.
• Develops a digital infrastructure and preservation plan that will widen access to the collection and provide necessary institutional systems work and knowledge management.
• Collaborates with other senior leaders on strategic plans for CCP’s future, and the collections’ central role in that.
• Oversees the inventory, processing, and housing of all current and incoming collections items.
• Mentors and evolves a reference team that supports an expansive range of onsite and virtual archival research requests.
• Mentors and evolves a digital team that manages the many platforms and systems that support greater digital access and remote/off-site users.
• Mentors and evolves a registration and collections management team that services acquisitions, loans, and the current collection of archives and fine prints.
• Oversees a CCP fellowship program that invites artists and scholars to provide new and critical perspectives and engagement with the collection.
• Provides sound and sustainable administrative and financial oversight for the Collections Department, including detailed project budgets, reporting and forecasting, and resourcing.
• Identifies potential sources of funding in collaboration with CCP leadership and Arizona Arts philanthropy team, building relationships with foundations, sponsors, and institutional partners, and preparing materials for internal and external grants.
• Performs other duties as needed.
Service
• Leads Collections Department’s overall convergence within CCP, Arizona Arts, and the University of Arizona
• Creates and collaborates in extra-departmental and University-wide projects, committees, and service to the Center for Creative Photography.
Continuing Education
• Maintains and contributes to knowledge of best practices and current developments in the field.
• Represents CCP as assigned at professional conferences and continues professional development through committee participation, writing for exhibitions, publications, workshops, seminars, and/or conference presentations.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Sophisticated knowledge and understanding of trends in collections and archives, particularly in the ever-changing digital and information technology landscape and in collections-based management and discovery practices.
• Ability to manage complex projects in a timely, organized, and level-headed manner.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to form mutually respectful, trusting, and effective relationships with a diverse group of staff, community members, leaders, and decision makers.
• Ability to recruit, manage, and develop diverse staff.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent advance learning attained through professional level experience required.
- Minimum of 5 years of related work experience, including 2 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Several years of progressively responsible experience in archival, library, or museum leadership.
- Background in archival collections.
- Proven and recognized experience caring for and managing a large collection in a timely, safe, accessible, and sustainable manner—most preferably a photographic collection.
- Familiarity with the history of photography.
- Experience mentoring and building teams of registration and collections staff.
- High emotional intelligence in managing and cultivating teams and resolving conflicts.
- Collaborative and inclusive working style.
- The drive and determination to work within a fast-moving environment, delivering within restricted time, space, and financial resources.
- Interest in and capacity for both the high-level and ground-level work.
Full Time
Hours per Week: 40
Work Calendar: Fiscal
Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits
Rate of Pay: $75,540 – $98,201 with anticipated hiring near the middle of the range
Documents Needed to Apply: Resume and Cover Letter
Application Portal: https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/19069?c=arizona
Diversity Statement
At the University of Arizona, we value our inclusive climate because we know that diversity in experiences and perspectives is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and creating an inclusive academic community. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. Because we seek a workforce with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, we provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. As an Employer of National Service, we also welcome alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service programs and others who will help us advance our Inclusive Excellence initiative aimed at creating a university that values student, staff and faculty engagement in addressing issues of diversity and inclusiveness.
Categories: Job Postings