Employment

Current Employment Openings

The Bruce Museum is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion:

The Bruce Museum shall be governed and administered in a manner welcoming to all who promote its Mission and Vision. In all its dealings, the Bruce Museum shall not discriminate against any individual or group for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, economic status, disability, or any category protected by state or federal law.

Director of Collections Management and Registration, Full-Time

Position Summary

A senior management-level role, the Director of Collections Management and Registration leads a team of three permanent registrars as well as two contracted collections professionals responsible for the care and management of the Bruce Museum’s permanent collection, incoming loans, and acquisition candidates. The post holder works closely with the Executive Director, Curators, and Director of Exhibitions to establish collection care priorities and support an inspiring program of exhibitions and displays.

An experienced leader and project manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for routine risk management as well as the implementation of established and emerging collections management practices in support of the Museum’s mission. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role is a full-time, benefited position.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Initiatives:

  • Leads and supports the development, revision, and implementation of mission-aligned departmental and institutional policies and practices, particularly those relating to collections management and exhibitions.
  • Develops and oversees the department operating budget, and develops integrated work schedule and budget for collections management, exhibitions, conservation, collections information, registration, collaborating with other members of senior staff and the Chief Financial Officer to reforecast as needed.
  • Advises Curators, the Executive Director, and Board regarding acquisition candidates and collections stewardship best practices, providing information on anticipated storage and housing requirements, transport, packing, conservation, and associated costs.
  • Advises Curators and Exhibitions regarding the development of exhibition and tour budgets.
  • Reviews and provides feedback on traveling exhibition venue contracts, loan agreements, and artist contracts.
  • Assists in the development of grant opportunities related to collections and exhibitions-based initiatives.
  • Consults with Curators on specific display requirements and plans for conservation, working in conjunction with contract conservators.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • Supervises a growing team of collections and exhibitions registrars and collections preparators, managing the departmental workload to ensure support for strategic and programmatic demands.
  • Oversees a team responsible for an upcoming large-scale collections movement project, providing guidance and support for the development of a responsible and thoughtful operational methodology, assigning functionality of spaces, and determining access rights in collaboration with the Collections Manager.
  • Manages the recruitment process for the Collections Management and Registration department, liaising with HR to post jobs, review applications, and manage the interview and hiring process, as well as onboard, train, and supervise all staff within the department.
  • Provides opportunities for professional development and advancement, fostering a supportive and motivating culture to benefit the department and the Museum.

Operational Management:

  • Ensures compliance with AAM and professional guidelines and codes of ethics for the stewardship of collections, adhering to best practices for museums.
  • Oversees the care, handling, and security of objects on temporary and long-term loan to the Museum.
  • Responsible for monthly projections of annual museum-wide insurance coverage, liaising with the insurance broker and the Town of Greenwich to adjust liability limits as needed.
  • Works closely with the Director of Security to ensure all security needs are met for collections spaces as well as temporary exhibitions and related activities.
  • Contributes to updating and implementing Museum Fire Protection Policies and Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Plan for collections, in conjunction with the Collections Manager, Exhibitions Registrar, Facilities Supervisor, and Director of Security.
  • Provides oversight for building-wide environmental control and pest management strategies in collaboration with the Collections Manager.

Exhibition Coordination

  • Supports loan request process, preparing loan agreement forms and supplying the AAM General Facility Report, environmental readings, and other related documents to prospective lenders.
  • Negotiates and oversees loan agreements and contracts with lenders. Manages insurance logistics with museum underwriters and provides certificates of insurance to lenders. Liaises with lenders, photographers, conservators, couriers, customs agents, insurance brokers, and transport agents in support of timely loan coordination.
  • Arranges insurance, packing, and loan-related logistics, seeking competitive estimates and managing exhibition expenses relating to loans, such as administration and loan fees, packing, transport, conservation, and framing.
  • Creates and maintains exhibition and loan records in museum collection management system as well as physical and digital files in accordance with the Department’s records management procedures.
  • Advises curators and exhibition preparators of all handling, mounting, environmental, and security requirements established by lenders.
  • Prepares and completes condition reports for incoming and outgoing objects, organizing external conservation support when required.
  • Produces and manages installation and deinstallation schedules, coordinating with preparators, Director of Exhibitions, Curators, security, and couriers.

Recommended Education, Skills, and Experience

  • A minimum of seven years of previous Collections Management experience and minimum of five years in a senior management position.
  • Extensive knowledge of and demonstrable adherence to museum best practices and ethical standards.
  • Demonstrated experience improving collecting practices and collections management within museums or related organizations.
  • Mastery of museum collections management methods relevant to record development, management, and maintenance, as well as budgets, conservation, object handling, provenance research, storage, and archives.
  • Proficiency in relevant digital office management programs as well as collection management software.
  • Proven supervisory and project management experience.
  • Demonstrates fastidious attention to detail, is calendar-oriented, punctual, and fiscally responsible.
  • Exhibits professionalism, courtesy, strong organizational skills, and enjoys working on complex projects independently and with other staff in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to work with, supervise, manage, and recognize the needs of colleagues, and ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including staff, board members, donors, volunteers, contractors, conservators, and the public.
  • Commitment to supporting the Museum’s mission and vision.
  • Experience handling artwork and museum objects.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Art, Art History, Science, Anthropology, or a related field; Master’s Degree in Museum Studies, Arts Administration, or Collection Management preferred. Additional years of experience and a demonstrated track record are acceptable alternatives to a higher degree.

Compensation: $85,000 to $100,000

Benefits: Medical & Dental (approximately 75% of premium covered by employer); HSA (employer contribution towards plan(medical) deductible); 401k (5% employer contribution); Pre-tax Commuter benefit; Group Term Life Insurance coverage up to $50k maximum; Short Term & Long-term disability coverage; PTO (Sick, Vacation & some federal holidays); Bruce Museum, AAM & NEMA Memberships; 20% discount in the Museum Store & Café.

To apply: submit a cover letter and resume in PDF format to jobs@brucemuseum.org with “Director of Collections Management and Registration” in the subject line.

Exhibitions Registrar, Full-Time

Position Summary

The Bruce seeks a highly skilled museum professional for a new role in its Collections and Registration department. With extensive experience in project managing exhibitions, the Exhibitions Registrar is responsible for all aspects of exhibition and loan logistics. Working closely with lenders and external contractors, as well as cross-departmentally with Exhibitions, Curatorial, Security, Development, Audience Engagement, and Marketing, the Exhibitions Registrar oversees the care, handling, and security of objects on temporary and long-term loan to the Museum. Reporting to the Director of Collections and Registration, this role is a full-time, benefitted position.

Responsibilities

Exhibitions Responsibilities

  • Supports loan request process, preparing loan agreement forms, and supplying the AAM General Facility Report, environmental readings, and other related documents to prospective lenders.
  • Negotiates and oversees loan agreements and contracts with lenders. Manages insurance logistics with museum underwriters and provides certificates of insurance to lenders. Liaises with lenders, photographers, conservators, couriers, customs agents, insurance brokers, and transport agents in support of timely loan coordination.
  • Arranges insurance, packing, and loan-related logistics, seeking competitive estimates and managing exhibition expenses relating to loans, such as administration and loan fees, packing, transport, conservation, framing, etc.
  • Creates and maintains exhibition and loan records in museum collection management system as well as physical and digital files in accordance with the Department’s records management procedures.
  • Advises curators and exhibition preparators of all handling, mounting, environmental, and security requirements established by lenders.
  • Prepares and completes condition reports for incoming and outgoing objects, organizing external conservation support when required.
  • Produces and manages installation and deinstallation schedules, coordinating with preparatory staff, Director of Exhibitions, curators, security, and couriers.
  • Conducts regular gallery checks. Monitors gallery environmental conditions
  • Attends cross-departmental meetings in support of exhibition implementation and programmatic scheduling.
  • Shares responsibility for image procurement for exhibition publicity and press, as well as publications, coordinating with Marketing and Curatorial departments.

Operational Responsibilities

  • Contributes to revision and establishment of departmental and institutional contracts, policies, and procedures.
  • Supervises contract/temporary staff, fellows, interns, and volunteers where applicable.

Recommended Education, Skills, and Experience

  • A minimum of five years previous experience in a museum or gallery setting organizing exhibitions and managing loans.
  • Knowledge of process to secure image rights permission from creators and their agents balancing fair use and protection of creative and intellectual property.
  • Extensive knowledge of and demonstrable adherence to museum best practices and ethical standards.
  • Proven project management experience, the ability to handle multiple simultaneous projects and an active exhibition schedule.
  • Command of museum collections management methods relevant to record development, management, and maintenance, as well as knowledge of budgets, object handling, storage, archives, and related areas.
  • Knowledge of relevant digital office management programs and previous experience creating and maintaining records using collection management software.
  • Excellent communication skills; highly organized and detail-oriented; strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently and collaborate with staff in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
  • Experience handling artwork and museum objects.
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Art, Art History, Science, Anthropology, or related field; Master’s Degree in Museum Studies, Arts Administration, or Collection Management preferred, or equivalent combination of work and education experience.

Compensation: $65,000 to $75,000

Benefits: Medical & Dental (approximately 75% of premium covered by employer); HSA (employer contribution towards plan(medical) deductible); 401k (5% employer contribution); Pre-tax Commuter benefit; Group Term Life Insurance coverage up to $50k maximum; Short Term & Long-term disability coverage; PTO (Sick, Vacation & some federal holidays); Bruce Museum, AAM & NEMA Memberships; 20% discount in the Museum Store & Café.

To apply: Submit a cover letter and resume in PDF format tojobs@brucemuseum.org with position Exhibitions Registrar in the subject line.

Visitor Services Associate, Part-time

The Visitor Services Associate plays a crucial role in providing exceptional customer service and ensuring a positive experience for visitors at the Bruce. This frontline position involves greeting and assisting visitors, processing admissions, and promoting museum memberships.

Position Summary

The Visitor Services Associate reports to the Front Desk Manager and is responsible for the following:

  • Welcome visitors to the museum with a friendly and courteous demeanor, providing information about exhibitions, programs, and amenities.
  • Process ticket sales, memberships, and other transactions accurately and efficiently using the museum’s ticketing system.
  • Assist visitors with special needs, including accessibility accommodations, stroller and coat check services, and other requests.
  • Answer visitor inquiries in person, over the phone, and via email, providing accurate information about museum hours, ticket prices, membership benefits, and upcoming events.
  • Work closely with other visitor services staff, security, and facilities to maintain a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for visitors.
  • Monitor visitor flow and ensure adherence to museum policies and procedures, including crowd control and safety protocols.
  • Collaborate with museum staff and volunteers to enhance the visitor experience and address any issues or concerns that may arise.
  • Stay informed about current exhibitions, programs, and events to effectively promote museum offerings and encourage visitor engagement.
  • Attend staff meetings and training sessions as required.
  • Perform other related duties and projects as assigned.

Recommended Education, Experience, Knowledge, & Skills:

  • Education: high school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Previous customer service experience in a museum or at a cultural institution is a plus.
  • Demonstrated computer literacy, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
  • Experience with point-of-sale systems and/or database-driven software, such as Altru, is preferred.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse audiences.

Compensation $16 per hour

Benefits: 20% discount in the Museum Store & Café

To apply: submit a CV to jobs@brucemuseum.org with the subject line applicant’s last name and “Visitor Services Associate.”

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