Head of Collections & Curatorial — Strategic Museum Leadership

Agua Caliente Band Of Cahuilla Indians; Agua Caliente (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rich medical and dental benefits

401k with employer match

3+ weeks PTO for new hires

Food & beverage discounts at ACCM/CAS

Job summary

The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum (ACCM) seeks a strategic Head of Collections & Curatorial to lead the department, oversee loans and exhibitions, and ensure preservation and compliance across ACCM sites.

You will direct curatorial programming, manage staff, and collaborate with the Executive Director and Tribal Council on policy, budgets, and process improvements. Strong leadership and museum-specific expertise are essential.

Qualifications

• MA degree in art, art history, anthropology, archaeology, history, museum studies, or related field.
• Eight years related supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and leadership abilities; excellent written and verbal skills.
• Experience with museum registration, conservation, and storage procedures is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for the Collections & Curatorial Department as a member of the Senior Management Team.
• Supervise department staff and contractors across ACCM sites; set priorities and review work.
• Oversee onboarding, hiring processes, and transition materials for staff.
• Develop and manage department budgets and external contractor relationships (design, conservation, rigging, packing, shipping, framing).
• Design and implement systems/workflows to improve interdepartmental coordination.
• Lead curatorial planning and exhibition development for permanent, temporary, and digital projects.
• Coordinate registration, loan agreements, and adherence to preservation standards during transport and display.
• Develop proposals and materials for Executive Director and Tribal Council review.

Education

MA degree in art, art history, anthropology, archaeology, history, museum studies, or related field

Strong supervisory experience

Excellent verbal and written skills

Excellent organizational skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

PastPerfect

Photoshop

Job description

The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum (ACCM) seeks a strategic Head of Collections & Curatorial to lead the department, oversee loans and exhibitions, and ensure preservation and compliance across ACCM sites.

You will direct curatorial programming, manage staff, and collaborate with the Executive Director and Tribal Council on policy, budgets, and process improvements. Strong leadership and museum-specific expertise are essential.