Collections Manager | Houston, TX

Texas Association of Museums; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Access to a tax-advantaged 401(k)

Paid time off and holidays

Renewal or transition contingent on/fy

Institutional holidays

Job summary

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, Texas seeks a Collections Manager to care for the permanent collection and incoming loans. This is a two-year, grant-funded role created to support a comprehensive inventory, rehousing, and cataloging project ahead of the museum's renovation and reopening.

The incumbent will maintain collections-management practices, manage the database, and ensure artifacts are preserved, documented, and accessible for exhibition, research, and loan, while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree requirement in museum-related field.
• 2–4 years in museum collections management/registration.
• Knowledge of PastPerfect or similar cataloging systems.
• Familiarity with archival handling, preservation standards.

Responsibilities

• Care for permanent collection, handling, storage, and housing of artifacts.
• Conduct a full inventory and reconcile records for reopening.
• Maintain and update collections management database with accession records.
• Process acquisitions, donations, and loans with deeds and reports.
• Monitor environmental conditions and recommend preservation steps.
• Coordinate packing, transport, and installation for exhibitions and loans.
• Support exhibit development with research of objects and archives.
• Assist with grant reporting for the collections project.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Recordkeeping

Physical ability to lift 40 pounds

Education

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

Master's degree in Museum Studies, Public History, or related field

Tools

PastPerfect

Job description

Position Type: Full-Time, Grant-Funded (2-Year Term), Exempt

Salary: $48,000–$60,000 annually, commensurate with experience

Reports To: CEO, Director of Curatorial Affairs once filled,

Location: Houston, Texas (on-site)

About the Museum

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum preserves and shares the stories and contributions of the African American military experience through its permanent collections, exhibitions, educational programming, and performing and visual arts.

Position Summary

The Collections Manager is responsible for the care, documentation, and stewardship of the museum's permanent collection and incoming loans. This is a two-year, grant-funded position created to support a comprehensive collections inventory, rehousing, and cataloging project as the museum prepares for and completes its facility renovation and reopening. The Collections Manager will establish sound collections-management practices, maintain the museum's collections database, and ensure artifacts are properly preserved, documented, and accessible for exhibition, research, and loan.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day care, handling, and storage of the museum's permanent collection, including uniforms, artifacts, archival documents, photographs, and works of art.
• Conduct a full inventory of the collection and reconcile records in preparation for the museum's reopening.
• Maintain and update the museum's collections management database (e.g., PastPerfect or comparable system), ensuring accurate accession, cataloging, and location records.
• Process new acquisitions, donations, and loans, including drafting deeds of gift, loan agreements, and condition reports.
• Monitor environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, light, and pest activity) in collections storage and exhibition spaces, and recommend preservation measures.
• Coordinate the packing, transport, and installation of artifacts for exhibitions and off-site loans.
• Support exhibit development by researching and preparing objects and archival materials for display.
• Assist with grant reporting and documentation related to the collections project, in coordination with the CEO and Development staff.
• Recruit, train, and supervise collections volunteers and interns.
• Develop and document collections policies and procedures, including a disaster preparedness and emergency response plan.
• Respond to research requests from staff, scholars, and the public regarding the collection.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, History, Art History, Anthropology, or a related field.
• A minimum of 2–4 years of experience in museum collections management, registration, or a closely related role.
• Working knowledge of collections management software (PastPerfect preferred) and standard museum cataloging and preservation practices.
• Familiarity with archival and object handling, storage, and conservation standards.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail and recordkeeping.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet grant-related deadlines.
• Ability to lift and move up to 40 pounds and to climb ladders or step stools as needed for collections handling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Museum Studies, Public History, or a related field.
• Experience with military history, African American history, or a comparable culturally specific collection.
• Prior experience supporting a museum renovation, relocation, or reopening project.
• Experience working with grant-funded projects and reporting requirements.

Benefits for this grant-funded position include:

• Health, dental, and vison coverage
• Access to a tax-advantaged 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off, vacation, sick leave and institutional holidays
• Opportunity for renewal or transition to a permanent role contingent on future funding