Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

Collection & Exhibitions Manager

Auburn University is committed to keeping its campus community safe and will follow applicable local, state and federal guidelines and regulations regarding COVID-19 policies and protocols.

For Non-Faculty jobs: External postings are posted for a minimum of 10 calendar days. Postings with end dates are subject to close after 10 days.

Employment with Auburn University is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.

Position Information

The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art seeks a Collection & Exhibition Manager! Reporting to the Director of Curatorial Affairs, the Collection and Exhibitions Manager manages the logistics and maintenance of the art collection stewarded by The Jule Collins Smith Museum. “The Jule” is Auburn University’s on-campus teaching museum, a highly creative, outward-facing, visitor-centered institution that welcomes everyone to explore, experience and engage with the visual arts in service to the region and the nation. The position collaborates with museum colleagues and others to administer all aspects of collection care, following and implementing accredited museum standards and practices, and ensures expanded access to it, for both in person and on-line use; provides environmental monitoring; advances conservation and security and safety measures; as well as supports the seamless implementation of a robust exhibition schedule.

Job Summary:

About Auburn: Auburn was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the state of Alabama’s best employers, with employees staying an average of ten years! Learn more about Auburn’s impact, generous employee benefits, and thriving community by visiting aub.ie/working-for-auburn.

It’s a Lifestyle: The Auburn/Opelika area is a page right out of Southern Living magazine with an idyllic small-town feel, perfecting a unique balance between a close-knit community and driving consistent growth and development. Paralleling the exponential growth of Auburn University, the Auburn/Opelika area boasts services and amenities that cater to any interest. We’re proud of our top school systems, city services, award-winning restaurants, and the infectious spirit of life in a college town. You can find us nestled halfway between the beach and the mountains in a lower-cost-of-living area, two hours outside of Atlanta or Birmingham. If you’re new to Auburn, we’d love to introduce you. If you’re already acquainted with Auburn, we’ll keep it simple: it’s time to come home!

Our Commitment: Auburn University is committed to a diverse and inclusive campus environment. Visit auburn.edu/inclusion to learn more about our commitment to expanding equity and inclusion for all.

Essential Functions:

• Maintains the collection database, determining and implementing data entry standards and procedures; inputting data and photography in a timely manner; writing and maintaining a data entry user manual; training and supporting staff users and creating and maintaining their accounts; conducting data entry checks to assure quality assurance; spearheading and participating in data cleaning efforts; and serving as the liaison with software representatives. Responsible for the digitization of images, creating reports, metadata development, periodic software upgrades, system migrations and security, and public access on the museum website. Remains current on best practices regarding art collections and technology, and the museum’s collection management system specifically.
• Manages the documentation of the permanent collection, including establishing and maintaining detailed records, object files, and coordinating for photography. Oversees day-to-day object tracking of all works in the collection database. Initiates requisite collections documentation, assigns object numbers, and records all temporary, permanent, and off-site storage locations. Undertakes object research as necessary.
• Receives, prepares, and catalogs new acquisitions, purchases and gifts-in-kind, including assisting and coordinating with colleagues in the curatorial, communications and external relations, development, and operations units. Creates preliminary object files and generates receipts and other paperwork.
• Responds in a timely manner to loan and research requests. In collaboration with the Communications and External Relations unit, manages and/or negotiates copyright permission requests for publications, publicity, marketing, and related uses. Tracks and maintains all related information in the collection management system.
• Monitors all spaces and environments housing the collection. Maintains and generates current facility reports, including for prospective private and institutional lenders. Completes monthly inventory spot-checks and maintains a current appraisal of the collection in accordance with the collection management policy.
• Supervises the conservation and preservation of artwork including managing and coordinating conservation treatments. Implements object conservation priorities and ensures the safe storage of all works in the collection.
• Supports and coordinates museum exhibitions, including providing project budget management, preparing checklists and images of objects for exhibitions, tracking movement of collection objects, and conducting object-related research. Acts as Registrar, overseeing and coordinating all duties relating to art shipping and transport, coordination of loan agreements, insurance, and condition reporting in adherence to established policies. Facilitates all incoming and outgoing loans and their requisite agreements, including exhibition-related movement of collection objects; wellness checks for objects at other campus locations; and packing, shipping, and insurance confirmation. Ensures adherence to established policies. Determines appropriateness of packing and shipping methods to assure preservation of artwork and adherence to museum standards. Manages and maintains shipping calendars and checklists for touring exhibitions; acts as a touring exhibition liaison to institutions receiving loans from the museum.
• In collaboration with other museum units, manages and supervises access and in-house movement of artwork for study and research to facilitate courses, projects, and programs that allow intimate interaction with artworks in the collection. Establishes a request and confirmation system to ensure all impacted units are prepared. Recommends appropriate engagement methods to ensure safety of artwork and adherence to museum standards. As directed, may work with researchers, scholars, and others to provide collection access, including ensuring adequate supervision. Conducts research on objects in the collection and may provide interpretation for exhibitions and their didactics, as well as related publications, newsletters, social media, and related communications.
• May identify supplemental funding to support exhibitions and the collection, including preparing proposals and grant applications for initiatives or other special projects.
• Represents the museum through various public programs and other professional development workshops, seminars, and conferences.
• May train and supervise student staff, graduate assistants, and interns performing work related to the collection and/or in galleries.
• Performs other related duties assigned.
• Supervisory Responsibility: May be responsible for training, assisting or assigning tasks to others. May provide input to performance reviews of other employees.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Arts Education, Education, Museum, Cultural, or Visual Studies, Public Humanities, Cultural Studies, Museum Studies, Library Studies, or related field.

Experience:
3 years of experience in archiving, researching, documenting and maintaining a museum or special collection within a private collection or an arts and/or culture environment for diverse community audiences.

Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications:

• Thorough knowledge of museum policies, practices, and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with collections management and digital asset management systems. Knowledge of nomenclature, metadata standards, best practices in conservation, object handling, insurance, and museum legal and ethical issues.
• Knowledge of exhibition touring systems and needs to ensure safety of collection objects on loan to outside institutions.
• Basic knowledge of conservation and preservation techniques and procedures for museum collections.
• Knowledge of domestic and foreign loan procedures including courier arrangements and travel. Knowledge of research methodology, principles and procedures.
• Excellent organizational and prioritizations skills.
• Excellent knowledge of art and art history including identification of specific types of art movements and art works. Skill in organizing museum archives.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment. Participation in the arts and collection management community.
• Ability to supervise and train student employees and or interns, including organizing prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Ability to manage and ensure compliance with loan arrangements of artworks. Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.

Minimum Technology Skills: Comfortable working on both Windows and Mac platforms and excellent database management skills.

Minimum License and Certifications: None required.

Posting Detail Information

Closing Date

Auburn University is committed to an inclusive and diverse campus environment. Women, underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

EEO Statement:

AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

1. Other

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Please select how you first became aware of this opportunity. Your response helps us determine how we can more effectively reach our candidates.
2. LinkedIn
3. AcademicKeys
4. The Chronicle of Higher Education
5. DiversityJobs
6. HigherEdJobs
7. HERC (Higher Education Recruitment Consortium)
8. Indeed
9. RecruitMilitary
10. The Tuskegee News
11. Professional organization or journal
12. Veterans Assistance Services
13. Disability Assistance Services
14. State Employment Service
15. Social Media
16. AU Job Bulletin
17. Notified by an Auburn employee
18. College or university Career Services
19. I went to the AU Employment Website directly (www.auemployment.com)
20. Other
21. * Please select the answer that best describes your current employment relationship with Auburn University:
22. Current full-time Auburn or AUM employee within probationary period
23. Current full-time Auburn or AUM employee outside of probationary period
24. Current part-time Auburn or AUM employee
25. Not an Auburn or AUM employee
26. * Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Arts Education, Education, Museum, Cultural, or Visual Studies, Public Humanities, Cultural Studies, Museum Studies, Library Studies, or a related field?
27. Yes
28. No
29. * Do you have 3 years of experience in archiving, researching, documenting and maintaining a museum or special collection within a private collection or an arts and/or culture environment for diverse community audiences?
30. Yes
31. No