Director of Collections

Director of Collections

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Employers By State in 2021.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the University of Pennsylvania. New hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning work at the University. For more information about Penn's vaccine requirements and the use of Penn Open Pass, visit the Penn COVID-19 Response website for the latest information.

Posted Job Title
Director of Collections

Job Profile Title
Director C

Job Description Summary
Open to all, the Museum is home to remarkable objects and powerful stories that emerge from its extraordinary expeditions across the world. Discover the cultures of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Mediterranean, from the very first cities of the Middle East to the kings of ancient Egypt; from prehistoric Mexico to the lives of Native American communities today. Experience the mystery of the ancient past, gain an understanding of our shared humanity, and find your own place in the arc of human history.

Job Description

The Director of Collections is responsible for overseeing repatriation programs; for collections storage maintenance, security, repairs and renovations including preventative strategies, pest management, and environmental monitoring; for strategic planning and budgeting for collections storage and management; for developing, drafting, updating, and overseeing collections policies, including the collections-related aspects of the Museum's ethics policy; for leading the collections components of the Museum's AAM reaccreditation process; for collections planning relating to exhibitions and new galleries; for overseeing collections-related security; and for the collections-related aspects of Museum emergency preparedness and mission continuity. The Director of Collections continuously assesses storage conditions for all collections, with the input of collections staff, and advises on prioritization and resolution of storage-related matters. The Director of Collections is responsible for fostering a collaborative environment in which all Museum departments are able to work effectively and successfully to achieve the Museum's strategic objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a member of Director's Executive Management Team and assist with strategic planning and budgeting, particularly as pertains to collections stewardship.
• Oversee the collections-related aspects of repatriation activities, in close collaboration with the Office of the Director.
• Work closely with the Department of Digital Records, Archives, and Publications, with Academic Engagement, and with Exhibits and Preparations to facilitate the work of the departments as it relates to collections.
• Direct special projects, such as overseeing large collections moves; serve as the primary point-person for key collections-related issues and projects.
• Supervise the Museum's Collections Staff, including Keepers (jointly with the heads of Curatorial Sections) and the staff from Conservation and the Registrar's Office, as well as any special project managers as appropriate.
• Work with Penn Museum Facilities and Security to monitor and address collections-related issues in operations and mission continuity.
• Assess, monitor and advise on necessary work on collections storage areas. Work with facilities and contractors in carrying out such work.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required, Masters degree in a museum-related field preferred, or equivalent
• 5+ years of experience in managing collections staff (e.g., conservators, registrars, collections managers) required
• Museum or cultural/educational institution experience required­­
• Experience with repatriation required
• Capacity to build trust and establish rapport as both a leader and colleague, and an ability to facilitate conversations and to provide and receive feedback
• Broad understanding of current issues facing museums and cultural institutions
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact with a wide range of audiences on complex issues are required; experience with grant-writing highly preferable
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Application Requirement:

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Budgeted Pay Range:

$110,000 - $140,000, commensurate with education and experience

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School
University Museum

Pay Range
$72,837.00 - $116,539.66

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
  
• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
  
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
  
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
  
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
  
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
  
• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
  
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
  
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
  
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
  
• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
  
• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
  

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Museum-ArcheologyAnthropology/Director-of-Collections_JR00044996

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