Associate Registrar: Collections & Loans

Philadelphia Museum of Art; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free general admission to the museum

Discounted guest tickets

Special staff tours and presentations

Discounts at museum restaurant and ret

Comprehensive benefits: medical, etc.

Job summary

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is seeking an Associate Registrar for Collections to oversee registration and accession processes in line with the museum's governance and policy. You will manage legal documentation, transfers, loans, and entries into the TMS.

This full-time, exempt role requires 4–7 years registrar experience, a museum studies degree or equivalent, and strong organizational and communication skills in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four to seven years of related registrar experience; Bachelor’s degree or Master’s in museum studies program, or equivalent experience working in museum collections management
• Familiarity with laws pertaining to cultural property, ownership, custody, transfer, and disposition of works of art, and with best practices and standards in the field, including ethical standards
• Excellent organizational skills, problem solving skills, follow-through, and attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Exhibits excellent decision-making skills, judgment and adaptability. Maintains confidentiality and discretion at all times in handling sensitive information
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Flexibility and ability to work with a diverse team of staff and lenders
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Collections Management database experience - TMS required
• Computer proficiency – Word, Excel, Outlook, Acrobat
• Candidate must complete Security Threat Assessment application

Responsibilities

• Manage the registration and accession process for objects accepted into the museum’s permanent collection, and deaccession processes in accordance with legal requirements and museum policy
• Create, organize, and maintain legal documentation, contractual forms and retrieval systems associated with acquisitions and the collection - accessions, bequests, promised gifts, and deaccessions
• Prepare quarterly Collections Committee reports and Board Reports for approval meetings
• Review and approve acquisition proposals and support the coordination of proposals with the Deputy Director of Collections and Exhibitions
• Arrange and coordinate the transfer of artwork to and from the museum as needed – organize transportation, couriers, security, insurance, unpacking, storage and related details
• Manage incoming long-term loans, generate receipts, loan agreements and other legal museum forms and documentation as applicable
• Enter information into the collection management system (TMS)
• Conduct collections inventories, including spot checks
• Oversee installations in historic park houses, Rodin Museum and other PMA sites as needed
• Assist in the coordination of large-scale reinstallations of the permanent collection galleries
• Assist in the preparation of budgets for the packing, shipping and insuring of loans
• Other duties related to collections documentation, care, inventory and movement of the collections

Skills

Registrar experience

Museum studies degree or equivalent

Knowledge of cultural property laws

Organization and attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Discretion and confidentiality

Interpersonal skills

Ability to work in fast-paced env.

TMS experience

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in museum studies

Master’s in museum studies

Tools

TMS

Word

Excel

Outlook

Acrobat

Job description

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is seeking an Associate Registrar for Collections to oversee registration and accession processes in line with the museum's governance and policy. You will manage legal documentation, transfers, loans, and entries into the TMS.

This full-time, exempt role requires 4–7 years registrar experience, a museum studies degree or equivalent, and strong organizational and communication skills in a fast-paced environment.