Associate Registrar, Temp (6 months)

San Francisco, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 36 - 44

Posted on: 23 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever these connections matter and are aligned with our values.

Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue.

Passionate: We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - its a way of life.

Brave: We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure always ready to explore new perspectives.

Empathic: We aim to act like a person not an institution.

SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore support and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think view the world and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy nurtures a sense of belonging and purposewhere difference is seen as a strength and every one is appreciated for their whole self.

Schedule: Full Time 35 hours/week Temporary (6 months) fully onsite

This position has a tentative start date of July 1 2026

The Associate Registrar Exhibitions hasa central rolein advancing registration methods policies and procedures for the museums exhibitions program in ways that are aligned with the museums strategic priorities and the goals of the Registration department and the Collections Exhibitions and Design (CED) independently and with minimal supervision theyare responsible forsuccessfully planning managing and documenting registration activities for assigned projects related to the museums exhibitions program including temporary and touring exhibitions. The Associate Registrar Exhibitionsis a subject matter expert andhas the breadth of experience andexpertiseto manage assigned registration activities for the fullest range of modern and contemporary artwork types and exhibition complexities.

Reporting to theDirectorof Registration the Associate Registrar Exhibitions is the lead registrar on assigned projects and works collaboratively with colleagues in CED Curatorial Facilities Operations Security Visitor Experience and other museum departments in realizing integrated collectionsstewardship collaborative exhibitions and collections research and engaging and inspiring public programming. The AssociateRegistrarExhibitions works with andrepresentsthe museums interests to members of the arts communities such as artists studios fabricators estates donors vendors galleries and other museums.

Responsibilities & Duties

Team Participation
Encourage and contribute to an inclusive rewarding and inspiring workplace where innovation discovery and constant learning cultivate a deep sense of belonging and shared responsibility within the Registration team.
Share in fostering a culture of safety inclusivity and equity.
Work in a healthy and flexible style andmodelsempathy and understanding.
Participate in nurturing collaboration and partnership across teams with fluid communication and respect for diverseexpertiseessential to an art museum.
Demonstrate a commitment to the museums strategic focusof makingprogramming that engages visitors and inspires individuals to return and recommend the museum to their family and friends.
Represent the museum at the local national and international levels.
Participate in professional networks workshops and programs to stay current with relevant practices methods and technologies aswelladding new skills to share with the department.

Exhibitions
Applies best practices and standards tooversee and coordinateallregistration aspects of major exhibitions and those organized for travel by SFMOMA.
Maintain in-depth oversight ofneeds ofregistration aspect ofexhibition projects frominitiation to finish.
Review and contribute to exhibition co-organization and venue tour contracts.
Review negotiate and sign loan agreements on behalf of the museum as well as manage agreed-upon terms related to registration activities.

Overseearrangements for temporary exhibitions both borrowed and organized by SFMOMA:
Coordinatethesafe packingshipping andhandling of artworks.
Communicate effectively with lenders donors vendors packersforwardingagentsshippersand related colleagues.
Generateand signcertificates of insurance.
Lead object review and object de/installation meetings with cross-departmental teams.

Adviseonaccess and security measures.
Oversee installation/deinstallation of works in staging areas or galleriesandas needed through virtual oversight or in-person travel.
Coordinate courier activity for loans to SFMOMA.
Examine artworksand produce condition reportsdocumenting the condition and characteristics of artworks so that changes in condition can bewell managed.
Coordinate examinations and treatments with Conservation.
Coordinate matting and framing ofworks.
Make periodic checks of the galleries and work across departments to address potential risks toworkson view.
Track insurance needs as projects progress.
Arrange for return of borrowed works.

As assignedforSFMOMA-organized exhibition tours:
Travel to borrowing institutions to oversee unpacking installation condition reports and/or repacking of exhibitionsand forrelated museum business.
Monitor condition of works in exhibition.
Arrange dispersal at closeoftour.

Program Partnerships
Work with Collections Management tomaintainsafe conditions forworksin storage.
Work with Conservation and Collections Management to coordinate artwork treatments housing and storage projects.
Work with Conservation andconsultant(s) in operationalizing workflows for the intake storage andlong-term accessibility of media- web- and software-based works.
Work with Project Management and Photo Studio tofacilitatephotography of artworks.
Work with Collections Management to conduct and reconcile inventories and audits.

Administration
Writes and updates Standard Operating Procedures
Oversee completeness and maintenance of records and files for assigned projects by adding documentation data and digital assets to relevant museum systems
Participateinmaintainingexhibition insurance records and files.
Generate and distribute reports related to exhibitions.
Produce andmonitorbudgets for registrationcomponentofexhibitions;process invoices.
Mitigate risks to artworksand torelationships with people and organizations.
Set an example of standards for performance and professional behavior with colleagues.
Makesrecommendations about practices and policies related toSFMOMAsexhibition registration
Representsarea of expertise in meetings and communications related to the museum programs
Mentor make assignments for and supervise activities ofAssistant Registrars and Registration Assistants.
Develop training sessions and onboardingnew staffin the department.
In collaboration withDirectorof Registration delegate tasks to Assistant Registrars Registration Assistants and on-call staff.
Model highly collaborative modes of working with cross-functional teams to proactively provide museum guests of all backgrounds witha world-class museum experience.
Perform other related duties asrequired.

Qualifications & Skills

Bachelors degree in art history Museum Studies or closely related fields.
Minimum of four (4) years of extensive registration experience in an art museum or similar institution with collections andexhibitionsexperiencerequired.
Experience andexpertisein current and innovative registration methods andpractices relevantto modern and contemporary art and knowledge of museum legal and ethical issues.
Must havesignificant experiencewith exhibition assembly touring and dispersal as well as packing crating and shipping artworks at the local national and international levels.
Strong critical thinking skills.
Ability to assess and make independent decisions about competing priorities.
Ability to manage multiple projects whileestablishingand meeting deadlines.
Excellent organizational skills andproficiencyin project management software such as Asana.
Strong initiative and follow-through skills and an ability tooperateunder pressure of time and multiple demands
Ability to work independently as well as in partnership with colleagues.
Ability toestablishand maintain effective working relationships with museum colleagues volunteers and interns and effectively represent the museum to outside professionals lenders donors and members of the artistic community.
Creative and flexible problem-solving skills.
Sound judgment and strong professional presence.
Working knowledge of twentieth century art history.
Familiarity with basic conservation concepts procedures and terms.
Proficiencywith Microsoft applications (Outlook Teams Word Excel PowerPoint etc.).
Expertisewithcollectionsmanagement systems and experience with digital asset management systems.
Proficiencywith Asana or other platforms related to project management software.
Ability and willingness tomaintaina high levelof accuracy and attention to detail.
Abilityto communicate effectively in person in video conferencing on the telephone and in writing to artists galleries donors borrowers trustees colleagues and the public is essential.
Ability to work effectively on a wide variety of projects concurrently with concern for the tasks assigned and the goals of the Registration Department.
Successful candidates will have a strong commitment to access and sustainability will collaborate well and willdemonstratetimeliness and effectiveness in a complex environment.
Demonstrated commitment to principles of diversity equity inclusion accessibility and sustainability in the arts sector.

$36.94 - $44.32 an hour

$36.94/hour (starting); $44.32/hour (position)

This is a union position subject to the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The rates for this position will be increased to $38.04 (starting); $45.94 (position) on July 1 2026 per the CBA.

Job posting open date:1/13/26

All jobs posted will remain open for at leastfivebusiness days.

We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within theinitialopen posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond will not be accepted afterapostinghas been closed.

Location: San Francisco 151 3rd Street.

Benefits: PTO Medical Dental Vision Flexible Spending Accounts Pet Insurance Life and AD&D Coverage Disability Insurance Mental Health and Wellness Benefits Discount Programs Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan SFMOMA Membership and more

At SFMOMA we do not believe that any applicant can or should meet every qualification listed in a job posting. We are committed to welcoming applicants from all backgrounds and professional paths who are inspired to join a mission-driven community-oriented organization grounded in inclusivity passion bravery and empathy.

If this describes you we encourage you to apply.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

SFMOMA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity equity inclusion and accessibility. No person shall be discriminated against based on race color religion gender gender identity age genetic informationancestry/national origin marital status disability medical condition HIV status sexual orientation veteran/military status and any other category protected by federal of state law.

You may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable to or are limited in your ability to access job postings or provide additional information asked in the job posting.

You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People Team at emailprotected.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process such as reviewing applications analyzing resumes or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed please contact us.

Required Experience: