Acquisitions Lead

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi); Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is seeking an Acquisitions Lead to oversee the end-to-end acquisition lifecycle for the museum’s collection, aligning with strategy and priorities. You will manage research, due diligence, documentation, legal agreements, and accessioning to ensure robust governance and high-quality acquisitions.

The role requires on-site leadership, coordination with curators, scholars, and donors, and strict adherence to ethical standards,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, Art History, Arts Management, Cultural Heritage, or related discipline.
• Professional certifications or specialized training in museum collections management, acquisitions, provenance research, or related fields are considered an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end acquisition process from proposal to transfer to Collections.
• Develop and implement acquisition policies, procedures, governance frameworks, and best practices.
• Perform due diligence: provenance research, ownership verification, authenticity review, legal checks, and risk assessment.
• Collaborate with curators, scholars, subject matter experts, conservation specialists, and other stakeholders on assessments.
• Prepare acquisition research reports and dossiers to facilitate governance approvals.
• Maintain CMS records and ensure documentation standards across acquisitions.
• Coordinate with donors, galleries, artists, auction houses, and partners while maintaining confidentiality.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Relationship building

Project management

CMS proficiency

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in museum studies or related

Certifications in museum acquisitions (advantage)

Tools

CMS (Collection Management System)

Job description

The Acquisitions Lead is responsible for overseeing the acquisition of collection assets in alignment with the museum’s collecting strategy and institutional priorities.

The role manages the acquisition lifecycle, including research, due diligence, documentation, approvals, legal agreements, and accessioning, ensuring a robust and compliant process.

The position applies professional standards, ethical principles, and governance requirements to support informed acquisition decisions.

The role cultivates and maintains trusted relationships with donors, collectors, artists, galleries, art dealers, scholars, and other partners while safeguarding confidentiality and professional integrity.

The Acquisitions Lead provides strategic guidance and operational oversight to support sustainable collection growth and the successful incorporation of new assets into Collections.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Key Accountabilities

• Lead and coordinate the end-to-end acquisition process, from initial proposal and assessment through approval, documentation, accessioning, and transfer to Collections.
• Support the development and implementation of acquisition policies, procedures, governance frameworks, and best practices in alignment with museum standards.
• Manage acquisition due diligence processes, including provenance research, ownership verification, authenticity review, legal checks, and risk assessment.
• Coordinate with curators, scholars, subject matter experts, conservation specialists, and other stakeholders to support research, evaluation, and acquisition recommendations.
• Lead the preparation of comprehensive acquisition research reports, acquisition dossiers, presentation and supporting documentation to facilitate informed decision-making and governance approvals.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with donors, collectors, artists, galleries, auction houses, art dealers, institutions, and other acquisition partners while ensuring confidentiality, discretion, and professional conduct.
• Prepare and review acquisition documentation, including proposals, agreements, contracts, valuations, committee papers, provenance records, and related materials.
• Coordinate acquisition governance and approval processes, ensuring compliance with institutional requirements and maintaining complete supporting records.
• Maintain accurate acquisition records within the Collection Management System (CMS) and ensure consistent application of documentation standards.
• Monitor acquisition budgets, procurement activities, contracts, and related administrative processes to support effective delivery of acquisition projects.
• Collaborate with Registration, Conservation, Legal, Finance, and other relevant departments to ensure successful acquisition implementation and integration into the Collection.
• Support legal due diligence and review acquisition contracts and agreements to ensure required documentation, approvals, and compliance requirements are addressed.
• Identify acquisition-related risks and support the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, acquisition summaries, and management updates related to collection development activities.
• Provide strategic recommendations and operational support to ensure acquisitions align with the museum’s collecting strategy and organizational objectives.
• Ensure all acquisition activities are conducted with integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with applicable policies, ethical standards, and legal requirements.
• Follow all Collections section policies, processes, procedures, and instructions to ensure operations are carried out in a controlled and consistent manner.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate effective information sharing, strengthen coordination, and build partnership relations.

Day-to-Day Operations

• Execute daily operational activities as directed by the Line Manager to ensure continuity of work and the delivery of efficient, high-quality outputs.
• Provide regular updates to the Collections Section Head on operational activities, challenges, issues, and recommended solutions or mitigation measures as required.

COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

• Culture Sector
• Support Services Sector

External

• Donors, collectors, artists, galleries, art dealers, and auction houses
• Scholars, researchers, and subject matter experts
• Museums, cultural institutions, and international collection partners
• Legal advisors, valuation specialists, and due diligence service providers
• Government authorities and relevant regulatory bodies (where required)
• Key vendors and suppliers supporting acquisition activities

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, COMPETENCIES

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, Art History, Arts Management, Cultural Heritage, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications or specialized training in museum collections management, acquisitions, provenance research, or related fields are considered an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in museum acquisitions, collections management, or a related museum role.
• Proven experience managing acquisition processes, including due diligence, provenance research, ownership verification, valuations, governance approvals, and accessioning.
• Experience coordinating with scholars, subject matter experts, and research specialists to support proposed acquisitions assessment, provenance research, and acquisition due diligence.
• Experience reviewing and managing acquisition-related documentation, including agreements, contracts, committee papers, valuations, and supporting records.
• Experience working with Collection Management Systems (CMS) and maintaining accurate acquisition records.
• Experience coordinating with internal departments, donors, galleries, artists, auction houses, art dealers, collectors, and external stakeholders throughout the acquisition process.
• Experience supporting budget management, procurement processes, and contracts administration.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships with donors, collectors, artists, galleries, auction houses, and institutional partners.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity, with the ability to handle confidential and commercially sensitive information appropriately.
• Sound knowledge of museum acquisition practices, provenance research, due diligence, legal and ethical requirements, and collection governance.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to exercise sound professional judgement.
• Ability to identify and manage acquisition-related risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple acquisition projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Collection Management Systems (CMS).
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams while managing competing priorities and meeting deadlines.