Collections Registrar

Sharjah Art Foundation; Sharjah; On-site; AED 201,000 - 312,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharjah Art Foundation is seeking an experienced Collections Registrar to professionally manage, document, move, and regulate the Foundation’s artworks. The role requires initiative, independence and the ability to handle complex workflows across registration, documentation, logistics, and governance, safeguarding the collection while enabling access for research and exhibitions.

Reporting to the Collections and Conservation Manager, duties include maintaining the Collection Management System as

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Art, Art History, Museum Studies or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience with museum collections, databases, archival and preventive conservation practices.
• Strong knowledge of Fine Art objects and care, preferably modern and contemporary art registration practices.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple workflows, and prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of organizational accuracy, attention to detail, and data integrity.
• Strong digital literacy.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the Collection Management System as the authoritative institutional record for the SAF Collection, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, consistency, structure, and compliance with institutional standards.
• Own all data related to the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection, ensuring factual accuracy, clarity, and communication, internally and externally.
• Liaise with galleries, artists, estates and stakeholders to gather key documentation and contextual material related to the artists and artworks within the Collection.
• Oversee the physical flow of works in the Collection on-site.
• Oversee the registration of incoming acquisitions into the Collection.
• Ensure that all conservation protocols are adhered to and for Collection.
• Act as a key liaison with the Operations team regarding handling and movement of artworks for loan, conservation, documentation, or exhibition.
• Make proposals related to the Registration of the Collection in consultation with the Collections Manager.
• Ensure all movements comply with professional museum standards, insurance requirements, and risk-management protocols.
• Serve as a courier in the UAE and regionally when needed.
• Oversee the safe transport and installation of works from the SAF Collection on loan by accompanying select artworks on loan.
• Any other reasonable duties as required by line manager.

Skills

Experience with museum collections

Museum databases

Archival and preventive conservation

Independent work

Data integrity

Digital literacy

Interpersonal skills

Arabic & English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Art, Art History, Museum Studies or related field

Tools

Collection Management System

Job description

Reporting to: Collections and Conservation Manager
Job Location: Sharjah Emirate, United Arab Emirates
Expected Starting Date: As soon as possible
Application Deadline: The job is open until filled

The Collections Registrar is responsible for the professional management, documentation, movement, and regulatory compliance of all artworks within the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection. This role requires an experienced, proactive registrar who can operate independently, manage complex workflows, and maintain high professional standards across registration, documentation, logistics, and collections governance. The post-holder will play a critical operational role in safeguarding the Collection and enabling its access, movement, research, and exhibition.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the Collection Management System as the authoritative institutional record for the SAF Collection, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, consistency, structure, and compliance with institutional standards.
• To take ownership of all data related to the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection, ensuring factual accuracy, clarity, and communication, internally and externally.
• To work with the team members, to liaise with galleries, artists, estates and stakeholders to gather key documentation and contextual material related to the artists and artworks within the Collection.
• To oversee the physical flow of works in the Collection on-site.
• To oversee the registration of incoming acquisitions into the Collection.
• To ensure that all conservation protocols are adhered to and for Collection.
• To act as a key liaison with the Operations team, regarding the handling, physical movement of artworks in the Collection, which require examination for loan, conservation, documentation, or exhibition.
• To make proposals related to the Registration of the Collection in consultation with the Collections Manager.
• To ensure all movements comply with professional museum standards, insurance requirements, and risk-management protocols.
• To serve as a courier in the UAE and at times, regionally.
• To oversee the safe transport and installation of works from the SAF Collection on loan by accompanying select artworks on loan.
• Any other reasonable duties as required by line manager.

Required Experience, Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Art, Art History, Museum Studies or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of Experience with museum collections, museum databases, archival and preventive conservation practices, or willingness/ability to learn to do so quickly.
• Strong knowledge of Fine Art objects mediums and materials and their care, preferably, modern and contemporary art registration practices.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple workflows, and prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of organizational accuracy, attention to detail, and data integrity.
• Strong digital and computer literacy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English is preferred.

Candidate Profile

This role is not suitable for entry-level applicants. The successful candidate must be an experienced, proactive registrar who can operate with minimal supervision, demonstrate initiative, and contribute immediately to the operational strength and professional standards of the Collections Department.

Conditions of Work

The role is a full-time position based in Sharjah, with working hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Thursday, and occasional evening or weekend work as needed.