Director of Registration

Director of Registration

Accepting applications until position is filled or January 10, 2025.

Summary: To manage and direct the documentation, care and long-term preservation of the more than 36,000 objects in the Museum's custody; also to ensure the safe and secure handling, transport and care of works of art.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensures that the Museum's Collection is accurately documented and that professional and legal guidelines are followed:

• implements the acquisition process and ensures that proper title and documentation is obtained for all new objects
• in consultation with the Museum's legal counsel produces/reviews all legal contracts relating to works of art including acquisitions or loans, making sure that agreements are entered into legally
• oversees the collections database system (TMS) and its use by Museum staff making sure that all Collection information is accurate and properly maintained; sees that adequate security is provided to protect confidential information and prevent any miss-use of the system
• reviews existing provenance for new acquisitions and collection works to make sure that proper due diligence is completed in adherence to collections management policy and relevant cultural property laws
• ensures that all works of art are located and accounted for and that accurate records are maintained of all object movement into and out of the Museum; as well as from one internal location to another
• oversees the deaccessioning process including approvals, contracts, and arrangements with auction houses
• responsible for compiling and maintaining periodic inventories of all objects in the Museum's custody and making sure that inventory checks are done in accordance with AAM best practices
• oversees the handling of inquiries and the dissemination of collection information to staff, outside scholars, and the general public both from paper and electronic records
• participates in, and facilitates several processes in compiling all information associated with the Museum's quarterly Collections Committee meetings held regularly for all art acquisitions including special meetings as needed; works with the Museum controller and legal counsel to develop purchase agreements

Shares the responsibility with the Directors of Exhibitions, Installation and Conservation to ensure the safe movement, handling, and long-term care of works of art for which the Saint Louis Art Museum has assumed responsibility, including objects in the permanent collections; loans to the Museum, or objects on temporary deposit with the Museum for any purpose:

• reviews all packing and transport methods for shipping works of art to ensure that it is done according to the highest professional standards, and takes responsibility for approving all shipping arrangements with outside carriers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers
• reviews and approves the facilities of borrowing institutions to verify that they can provide adequate handling, storage, care and security of objects on loan
• makes appropriate arrangements for insurance coverage of loaned objects both from the Museum's Collection and also on loan to the Museum; reviews outside insurance policies or foreign indemnities and determines acceptance according to international standards and Museum requirements
• serves as a courier accompanying valuable objects of art in transit as needed; accompanies art to offsite storage or airport cargo facility; oversees containerization and security; coordinates with customs broker; travels with art; supervises loading and unloading of crates at airport, borrowing museum and other venues; may oversee installation of objects at borrowing museums
• reviews and provides feedback on traveling exhibition venue agreements and artist contracts
• reviews traveling exhibition logistics, including insurance, security, crating and packing, shipping coordination, display requirements and lender restrictions, courier coordination, and installation and deinstallation of artworks
• works with private collectors to provide installation assistance and handle transport arrangements for private collections as needed
• serves as 24 hour on-call contact for emergency situations involving works of art

Provides direction and support for the Associate/Assistant Registrars in the development and implementation of exhibitions, installations, and gallery rotations at the Museum in coordination with Curators and the Directors of Exhibitions, Installation and Conservation:

• works with the Associate/Assistant Registrars to review exhibition proposals for feasibility and participates in the development of exhibition budgets
• ensures that exhibition contracts are reviewed for potential problems in execution of requirements
• assigns staff to exhibition projects and oversees the process for tracking exhibition checklists and related loan information making sure that installation and loan requirements are noted and followed
• oversees the arrangements for all insurance, shipping unpacking, installation, repacking and condition reports, and makes sure that all requirements are met, and standards maintained
• assumes responsibility for overseeing the completion of applications for Museum compliance with US Federal regulations including, TSA requirements serving as the Principal Security Coordinator; Indemnity, Immunity form Seizure, NAGPRA and CITES

Administers the Office of the Registrar:

• train and supervise the Collections Manager, Collections Information Manager, Associate/Assistant Registrars, Collections Cataloger, and Collections Documentation Assistant; oversees contract registration staff, volunteers, and interns as needed
• manages and balances workloads of the Registration staff to meet internal and external deadlines
• prepares the annual department budget, prepares reports and tracks expenditures
• serves as a member of institutional teams as assigned by the Director

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and seven years' experience in museum registration required or experience in leading and supervising a team of museum registrars. Knowledge of museum best practices for fine arts packing, shipping, and insurance required; experience in collections management and exhibitions planning desired; familiarity with museum collection management systems required, familiarity with The Museum System (TMS) preferred; ability to travel is necessary; knowledge of art history helpful.

Additional Details:

Annual Hiring Range: $86,604 - $107,580; commensurate with experience.

Status: Full-Time; Competitive full benefits package is available on Day 1, including three weeks of vacation annually with one week available immediately, a museum-funded pension, museum-paid disability insurance, and a world-class wellness program.

The Saint Louis Art Museum is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

The Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience, without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.