As a chief registrar, you will implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with museum standards regarding the care of works on loan and in collections. You will plan, prioritize, and schedule workloads with the collection manager to ensure proper documentation of the museum collection. You will supervise data entry standards and updates in the collections management system, The Museum System (TMS), as well as in physical files. You will develop, implement, and manage the storage and inventory of exhibition mannequins, act as a courier for traveling exhibitions and museum loans, and coordinate with the SCAD facilities team to maintain museum standards. Additionally, you will oversee exhibition registration details, including reviewing exhibition and artist contracts and negotiating loan agreements, insurance, and courier services.

In this role, you will collaborate with the head registrar on responsibilities related to shipping, insurance, conditioning, travel, and storage. You will ensure the safe and secure movement of objects, which includes packing, shipping, security measures, insurance, and recording their locations. You will schedule and oversee condition reporting, as well as the installation and de-installation of artwork. You will handle all shipment paperwork, coordinate crates, manage logistics, and arrange for couriers. Additionally, you will guarantee safe storage through optimal crating and shipping practices, maintain up-to-date insurance values—contacting the insurance office in case of an incident—and conduct periodic inventory checks of the collection.

In this position, you will collaborate closely with legal counsel on loan agreements, generate, update, and maintain facility reports for all exhibition sites, track processes, and manage payments to shipping and storage vendors. You will maintain contact with lenders and venues, create a database for all forms to input records, work with the collections manager to update care and management policies for review and approval, and generate policies based on current best practices for collections. You will monitor the work on display and in storage through condition checks to document changes. Additionally, you will engage in professional development and professional associations.

The successful candidate will display exemplary leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills. They will also have enhanced emotional intelligence and the ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, influence key stakeholders, negotiate, and achieve a desired outcome. The candidate will also be detail-oriented, successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously, have experience arranging domestic and foreign artwork shipping, and thoroughly understand U.S. fine arts insurance policies.

This person will demonstrate an extensive knowledge of fine art shipping, customs regulations, and various federal and state laws. They will be familiar with current museum and gallery techniques, practices, and standards for special exhibitions, registration methods, and collections records. The candidate must work effectively and collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders, travel internationally and domestically for several days, and display competence independently and as part of a team. Additionally, they should be adaptable, able to work well individually and within a team, and capable of standing or sitting for extended periods.

Minimum Qualifications:      

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, museum studies, or an appropriate field
• At least three years of registration experience at a senior level within a major art museum or gallery
• Knowledge of museum best practices for the care, handling, and shipping of artwork, both domestically and internationally.
• Working knowledge of Zoom, Microsoft software, and Google software
• Proven experience in managing permanent collections, major international loans, and exhibitions, including contracts, budgets, insurance, transportation, government regulations, customs regulations, security, and safety procedures.

Certificates, licenses, and registrations:  

• Valid driver’s license
• Valid passport

Travel Required:  

• 10–20%   

Work Hours: The university work week is Sunday through Saturday. Most offices are open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To accommodate business needs, employees may be assigned to other workdays and/or hours, including weekends and evenings.    

ADA Tag: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and minimum qualifications listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and/or meet the minimum qualifications.