Registrar

The Opportunity
Position: Registrar
Reports to: Director of Curatorial Affairs
Department: Curatorial FLAS Status: Exempt
Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm. Evening and weekend work, as needed
Work location: Museum of Fine Arts

Position Summary:
The Registrar is a crucial member of the Museum of Fine Arts’ Curatorial Department. This position is responsible for the oversight of collections management including policy development and maintenance, collection storage, safety, and access, cataloging and documentation, deaccessioning, and disposal. The Registrar oversees the coordination of all loans and exhibitions including their installation and de- installation, and manages insurance coverage, object movement, and all shipping and crating. This position also assesses needed conservation treatment and implements best practices in collection preservation.
The Registrar supervises the assignments and responsibilities of the Preparator(s), Curatorial and Registration Assistant, and Associate Registrar.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Works with the Curatorial Department and Collections Committee to review, update, and revise the MFA’s Collections Management Policy.
• Serves as the staff liaison to the Collections Committee. Works with the Senior Curator of Collections & Exhibitions to prepare documentation for presentation to Collections Committee, including meeting agendas, and keeps the official documents and minutes of the meetings on file in the Office of the Registrar.
• In collaboration with Senior Director of Operations, is responsible for disaster preparedness planning and recovery, with specific responsibility for the collection and artworks.
• Monitors the environment of all galleries and storage spaces, including the development and maintenance of an Environmental Monitoring Plan. Regularly monitors permanent and temporary installations on campus.
• Oversees the processing of incoming and outgoing loans including contract negotiation, collection of documentation, data entry, shipping arrangements, insurance coverage, and courier requirements. Acts as a courier, when required.
• Oversees and manages the unpacking/packing, handling, installation and de-installation of all collection holdings and loans. Prepares and conducts condition reports and assessments for all collection holdings, loans, and potential acquisitions.
• Oversees the processing of all potential acquisitions including shipping arrangements, collection of documentation, data entry, the timely presentation of materials to the Collections Committee, and the complete processing of works accepted or purchased for the permanent collection.
• Develops policies and manages access and the entry of data into the MFA’s collections management system (The Museum System). Works closely with appropriate Curatorial staff to develop style and standard procedures for data entry as appropriate for collection holdings.
• Maintains a registration log book of temporary receipts, loans, and acquisitions.
• Maintains a log of all art movement.
• Responsible for maintaining, organizing, and managing all legal documentation, object files, and records (both hardcopy and digital) related to collection holdings, loans, deaccessions, and potential acquisitions.
• Oversees and manages the MFA’s active deaccessioning and disposal program, including the review and evaluation of unprocessed temporary holdings in consultation with appropriate Curatorial staff.
• Responsible for the development of a regular inventory schedule of all collection holdings and loans. Helps support the Financial Department in their annual audit.
• In collaboration with Curatorial staff, reviews and assesses conservation needs and the long-term preservation care of collection holdings. Coordinates and collaborates with contracted conservators for assessment and treatment of collection holdings. Maintains records of all assessments and treatments performed.
• Oversees and manages appropriate fine art insurance coverage for collection holdings and loans.
• Manages the department calendar including the workflow and schedule of the Exhibits Team.
• Supervises the assignments and responsibilities of the Preparator(s) and Associate Registrar.
• Supervises installations including temporary exhibitions and gallery change-outs in permanent collection.
• Participates in professional conferences and workshops as a representative of the MFA.
• Other duties as needed.

Physical Requirements:
• Able to sit for extended periods of time (up to 8 hours) on a daily basis.
• Able to stand and walk for extended periods of time (up to 6 hours) on a daily basis.
• Able to bend, crouch, stoop, reach, and push frequently.
• Able to safely and successfully grasp, handle, and lift art pieces frequently.
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. frequently.
• Able to safely and successfully ascend or descend ladders and utilize lifts, or other necessary equipment for the installation of exhibitions.
• Willing and able to travel (by truck and/or plane) as needed.
• Able to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Able to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
• Proof of Covid-19 vaccination.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree with a focus in Art, Art History, History, Anthropology, Museum Studies, or other related field.
• At least five (5) years of experience working as a Registrar in a museum or gallery setting.
• Experience working with museum collections management software.

Minimum Competencies:
• Leadership and managerial skills.
• Project management skills.
• Excellent organizational, proofreading, and analytical skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong computer skills including database experience and word processing knowledge.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to manage and balance multiple tasks within complex projects.
• Ability to work both in a team environment, as well as independently.
• Direct experience with museum collections management software, specifically The Museum System (TMS).

Preferred Qualifications/Competencies:
• Master’s degree preferred, with a focus in Art, Art History, History, Anthropology, Museum Studies, or other related field.
• Excellent leadership, managerial, planning, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Strong interpersonal and written and oral communication skills; high level of presentation, problem solving and diplomacy skills.
• Ability to be flexible, balance multiple projects concurrently and work with close attention to detail.
• Able to understand logical record keeping, conservation of artworks, up to date packing and shipping methods, legal issues, as well as environmental and security systems.
• In-depth knowledge of collection management, documentation and preservation practices, policies and procedures (including art handling, condition reporting, packing/crating, domestic and international shipping, exhibition planning, courier arrangements, fine arts insurance, indemnity, immunity from seizure, and customs documentation).
• Ability to inspire, motivate, and lead a productive team, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of people including trustees, donors, lenders and borrowers, vendors, and the general public.
• Ability to energetically manage a diverse and challenging workload and to work under pressure to meet deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary service to colleagues and patrons.
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of standard accepted practices.
• Familiarity with and adherence to standard museum practices.

Salary and Benefits:
• Salary range: $60,000 – $65,000
• Benefits offered: variety of health care coverage and elective insurance options, vacation and sick leave, as well as retirement savings

This job description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed, as well as the typical responsibilities of this position. Management reserves the rights to modify, change, add or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this position description changes the at-will employment relationship between Museum of Fine Arts and its employees.

To Apply:
Please address resume and letter of interest to the Human Resources Department at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, and email to: HR@MFAstpete.org with Registrar in the subject line or mail to the following address:

Museum of Fine Arts, Human Resources
255 Beach Drive N.E.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3498
No phone calls please.