Museum Collection Management Section Head

Confidential; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 550,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a Collections & Exhibitions Department Director to oversee the full lifecycle management of the museum’s collection, ensuring best practices in registration, documentation, storage, conservation, logistics, and risk control. You will lead a team of registrars, collection managers, and technicians and coordinate with curatorial and conservation teams.

You will manage loans, storage facilities, and CMS systems, developing documentation standards and reports to support

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Conservation, or related field.
• 8–10 years of experience in collection management, registration, or conservation within a museum or cultural institution.
• Proven experience managing collection systems and overseeing complex logistics and loans.
• Strong knowledge of international museum standards and best practices (e.g., documentation, conservation, handling).
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
• Knowledge of conservation principles and collection care standards.
• Proficiency in collection management systems and databases.
• Strong communication and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of collection management, including acquisition processing, registration, cataloguing, documentation, storage, movement, and deaccessioning.
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date records for all artworks in compliance with institutional policies and international standards.
• Manage loans (incoming and outgoing), including documentation, condition reporting, and coordination with borrowing/lending institutions.
• Oversee the management and optimization of collection storage facilities, ensuring safety, accessibility, and efficiency.
• Plan and coordinate all artwork logistics, including transportation, shipping, customs, and courier arrangements.
• Develop and enforce documentation standards, procedures, and workflows.
• Generate reports to support research, exhibitions, audits, and strategic decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and professional standards governing collections management.
• Oversee collection insurance processes, valuations, and risk assessments.
• Develop and implement emergency preparedness and disaster recovery plans for collections.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of registrars, collection managers, and technicians.
• Allocate resources effectively and ensure team alignment with departmental objectives.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with curatorial, exhibitions, conservation, and operations teams to support exhibitions and programs.
• Liaise with external partners, including lenders, insurers, shippers, and conservation specialists.
• Support research initiatives by facilitating access to collection information and materials.

Skills

Leadership

Collection management

CMS

Logistics planning

Loans management

Documentation

Team management

Education

Master's in Museum Studies

Bachelor's in related field

Tools

CMS software

Inventory systems

Job description

Collections & Exhibitions Department Director

Job Purpose:

The Collection Management Section Head is responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle management of the museum’s collection, ensuring the highest standards in registration, documentation, storage, conservation, logistics, and risk control. The role ensures that all collection-related activities align with international museum standards, supporting preservation, research, exhibitions, and institutional governance.

Key Responsibilities:

Collection Lifecycle Management

• Oversee all aspects of collection management, including acquisition processing, registration, cataloguing, documentation, storage, movement, and deaccessioning.
• Ensure accurate and up-to-date records for all artworks in compliance with institutional policies and international standards.
• Manage loans (incoming and outgoing), including documentation, condition reporting, and coordination with borrowing/lending institutions.

Storage & Logistics

• Oversee the management and optimization of collection storage facilities, ensuring safety, accessibility, and efficiency.
• Plan and coordinate all artwork logistics, including transportation, shipping, customs, and courier arrangements.
• Implement best practices in packing, crating, and movement control.

Collection Systems & Documentation

• Maintain and enhance the museum’s collection management system (CMS), ensuring data integrity, accessibility, and security.
• Develop and enforce documentation standards, procedures, and workflows.
• Generate reports to support research, exhibitions, audits, and strategic decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and professional standards governing collections management.
• Oversee collection insurance processes, valuations, and risk assessments.
• Develop and implement emergency preparedness and disaster recovery plans for collections.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of registrars, collection managers, and technicians.
• Allocate resources effectively and ensure team alignment with departmental objectives.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with curatorial, exhibitions, conservation, and operations teams to support exhibitions and programs.
• Liaise with external partners, including lenders, insurers, shippers, and conservation specialists.
• Support research initiatives by facilitating access to collection information and materials.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Conservation, or a related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in collection management, registration, or conservation within a museum or cultural institution.
• Proven experience managing collection systems and overseeing complex logistics and loans.
• Strong knowledge of international museum standards and best practices (e.g., documentation, conservation, handling).
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
• Knowledge of conservation principles and collection care standards.
• Proficiency in collection management systems and databases.
• Strong communication and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Accuracy and completeness of collection records.
• Compliance with conservation and environmental standards.
• Efficiency and safety of artwork handling, storage, and logistics.
• Successful delivery of loans and exhibition-related collection activities.
• System performance and quality of reporting outputs.
• Team performance and professional development.