Art Handling Operations Manager

The Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO Overview

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking a Manager, Art Handling in the Collections and Loans department in Chicago. You will schedule, supervise, and coordinate the movement, installation, deinstallation, packing, and storage of permanent collection and loan objects.

This role partners with the Director of Loans and Exhibitions to ensure work is safe, on schedule, and compliant with conservation standards, budgets, and museum policies, while supporting exhibition planning and cross‑functional

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressively responsible museum, gallery, or fine-art handling experience with direct supervisory experience.
• Proficiency in packing, crating, rigging, mountmaking, and specialized art-handling equipment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for cross-functional collaborations and vendor partnerships.
• Valid driver’s license preferred and willingness to drive a museum vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Plans and schedules art handling for the collection, exhibitions, and stored objects, including deinstallation, unpacking, transportation, unloading, and storage based on priorities and workflows.
• Supervises packing, wrapping, and crating of objects, ensuring housing meets conservation standards and air transit requirements.
• Ensures staff and contractors adhere to art handling guidelines and safety protocols at all times.
• Develops and maintains detailed project schedules with tasks, milestones, and risk/issue logs.
• Coordinates with internal departments and external vendors to ensure projects are completed on schedule.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CITI

TMS

Jira

NetX

Job description

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking a Manager, Art Handling in the Collections and Loans department in Chicago. You will schedule, supervise, and coordinate the movement, installation, deinstallation, packing, and storage of permanent collection and loan objects.

This role partners with the Director of Loans and Exhibitions to ensure work is safe, on schedule, and compliant with conservation standards, budgets, and museum policies, while supporting exhibition planning and cross‑functional