Collections Steward & Research Lead

Denison University; Granville Township (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Vacation days

Floating holidays

Healthcare benefits

Campus closure

Free parking

Gym membership

Free classes

Job summary

Denison University seeks a Collections Manager to steward and advance the Denison Museum Permanent Collection of ~8,000 objects across multiple media. You will lead day-to-day care, documentation, and long-term preservation, while developing projects to strengthen records, research, access, and teaching use.

You will collaborate with the Museum Director and Curator to advance accreditation, research, and teaching initiatives, while coordinating with scholars, faculty, and students.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Library/Information Science, Conservation, or related field.
• Strong experience in handling, storage, preservation, documentation, and management of two- and three-dimensional objects.
• Experience with a museum collections management system and maintaining accurate collections records.
• Knowledge of museum standards, registration, and collections practices.
• Experience with acquisitions, loans, and/or deaccessioning of fine art and cultural materials.
• Strong research, writing, organizational, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to train and supervise student employees or interns.
• Ability to physically handle and move museum objects.
• Experience with mounting, hanging, packing, and installing artworks.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day care, stewardship, and documentation of the Permanent Collection.
• Develop workflows for collections care and project priorities with leadership.
• Monitor storage, environmental conditions, pest management, security, and risk.
• Coordinate conservation assessments with conservators and specialists.
• Develop procedures for handling, storage, installation, and transport of artworks.
• Identify collection needs and plan short- and long-term projects.
• Maintain records and policies in line with museum standards.
• Manage collections management system and ensure data accuracy.
• Maintain and develop public-facing collections interface and online records.
• Conduct provenance research and work with external scholars on research inquiries.
• Coordinate photography, imaging, digitization, and documentation projects.
• Respond to publication, image-use, and research requests.
• Support ongoing research and documentation of objects including valuation.
• Oversee acquisitions, loans, and deaccessioning processes; ensure related records.
• Assist with due diligence, provenance research, and ethical considerations.
• Maintain records of ownership and status of objects.
• Collaborate with faculty and students to select and prepare objects for exhibitions and teaching.
• Provide expertise on object handling, installation, and conservation.
• Support exhibition planning, installation, and related logistics.
• Contribute to teaching museum mission by expanding student access to the collection.

Education

Master’s degree in Museum Studies or related field

Tools

Museum CMS (e.g., Collector Systems)

Job description

Denison University seeks a Collections Manager to steward and advance the Denison Museum Permanent Collection of ~8,000 objects across multiple media. You will lead day-to-day care, documentation, and long-term preservation, while developing projects to strengthen records, research, access, and teaching use.

You will collaborate with the Museum Director and Curator to advance accreditation, research, and teaching initiatives, while coordinating with scholars, faculty, and students.