Position Title: Senior Collection Manager
Company Name: Chicago History Museum
Job Function: Registrar/Collections Management
Entry Level: No
Job Type: Full-time
Location(s): Chicago, Illinois, 60304, United States
Posted: June 18, 2013
Job Duration: Indefinite
Min Education: Master's Degree
Min Experience: 3-5 Years
Required Travel: None
Salary: unspecified



Job Description

The Senior Collection Manager manages and coordinates all aspects of collection management for the museum collection; supervises the processing, inventory, and housing of the museum collection to facilitate preservation and access; ensures the museum collections are handled, preserved, stored, and exhibited in a safe and prudent manner according to professional and institutional standards; facilitates internal and external access to and use of digital collection surrogates; maximizes licensing and royalty income while supporting CHM programs and partnerships; ensures adherence to copyright law, contractual agreements, and other legal guidelines governing the use of collection reproductions; recommends and implements changes and improvements to internal processes; and sustains and enhances CHM’s role as a premier research institution and a hub of scholarship and learning.


Salary depends on experience. See full job description and application instructions on Chicagohistory.org.

Job Requirements

  • M.A. in a humanities field
  • Minimum five years’ experience in collection management and/or registration
  • Two years’ experience as a supervisor
  • Experience managing a wide range of artifacts
  • Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of standard collection management, documentation, and preservation policies, practices, and procedures
  • Experience cataloging museum collections according to established standards
  • Knowledge of relevant technologies, including experience working with a collection management system, preferably also including digital asset management experience
  • Literacy in other commonly used computer applications required, including working knowledge of Microsoft Access or similar database application
  • Familiarity with digital media formats, preferably also including knowledge of basic digital preservation practices
  • Familiarity with U.S. copyright law and standard licensing terminology
  • Experience negotiating purchasing and service contracts with vendors
  • Experience writing private, state and federal grants
  • Ability to lift, carry or otherwise move and position objects weighing up to 40 pounds, ascend and descend ladders and lifts, and drive a car
  • Current driver’s license
  • Ability to develop and manage budgets
  • Ability to supervise people and manage complex programs and projects
  • Ability to plan and implement new programs
  • Ability to develop and follow workflows to meet production, management, quality control, and procedural requirements in an efficient and effective manner
  • Ability to solve technical, administrative, and personnel problems creatively
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Commitment to the mission, values, and programs of the Chicago History Museum