Head Registrar
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Job Location:
New York City, NY - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
4 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Job Summary
The Head Registrar provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all registration art logistics loans exhibitions acquisitions and risk management functions. This role leads a large multidisciplinary team responsible for the care movement documentation and compliance of an encyclopedic collection of over one million objects as well as a dynamic temporary and touring exhibitions program.
The position ensures adherence to best practices in collections management international art law risk mitigation and logistical planning while maintaining strong relationships with global lenders borrowers insurers government agencies and logistics providers. The Head Registrar serves as a key institutional leader contributing to long-term strategic planning sustainability initiatives and policy development.
Primary Responsibilities
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Provide leadership and oversight of all logistical aspects of collections acquisitions (gifts purchases bequests) exhibitions loans and risk management
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Lead manage mentor and develop a team of 30 professionals across exhibitions outgoing loans touring exhibitions collections registration packing and crating storage logistics risk management and administration
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Oversee departmental planning organizational structure staffing budgets hiring and performance management
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Establish and maintain best practices policies and procedures governing art handling shipping storage documentation and compliance
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Advise on policies related to import/export regulations provenance cultural property CITES Fish and Wildlife regulations foreign assets regulations and immunity from seizure
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Develop and maintain relationships with peer institutions lenders borrowers insurers shipping agencies storage facilities and government entities
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Oversee loan administration budgeting insurance coverage and risk assessment for domestic and international exhibitions
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Review and negotiate exhibition and loan agreements in collaboration with legal and exhibitions teams
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Manage outgoing loan approvals risk assessments and reporting to senior leadership and trustees
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Oversee insurance and risk management programs including annual renewal negotiations and indemnity applications
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Contribute to long-term storage planning including oversight of offsite facilities relocations and space planning for large acquisitions or bequests
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Maintain oversight of archives records and legal documentation in accordance with institutional retention policies
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Develop and manage annual departmental budgets in collaboration with finance teams
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Evaluate vendor performance negotiate contracts and cultivate long-term supplier relationships
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Conduct short- and long-range planning to balance exhibition schedules staffing and space allocation
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Ensure technology systems effectively support registration and logistics functions
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Lead sustainability efforts within registration and logistics operations
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Perform additional duties as assigned
Requirements & Qualifications
Education:
Bachelors degree required; Masters degree in Museum Studies Museum Administration or related field preferred
Experience:
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Minimum 15 years of senior-level experience in a major museum auction house or significant collection
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Extensive leadership experience managing large teams high-volume activity complex projects and negotiations
Knowledge & Expertise:
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Deep understanding of collections management exhibitions loans and registration best practices
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Comprehensive knowledge of international art law including antiquities legislation CITES customs regulations foreign asset controls and immunity from judicial seizure
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Strong knowledge of art logistics risk management and global exhibition operations
Skills & Abilities:
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Exceptional leadership communication and negotiation skills
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Proven ability to foster a high-performing collaborative team environment
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Strong strategic planning and organizational capabilities
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Financial acumen and budget management experience
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Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously
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Willingness to travel domestically or internationally as required
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Knowledge of labor relations and union contracts preferred
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Foreign language proficiency helpful
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Ability to complete required security assessments
Key Skills
- Typing
- Data Entry
- Hospital Experience
- Anatomy Knowledge
- Clerical Experience
- Ellucian
- ICD Coding
- ICD-10
- Medical office experience
- ICD-9
- Medical Terminology
- Epic
