15d ago
New
USD 92,742–102,380 per year

Collections Manager

United StatesUnited States·South San FranciscoFull-Timemid
Other
0 views0 saves0 applied

Quick Summary

Overview

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.

Technical Tools
Other
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 - it's 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 purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.

Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week, fully onsite
 

The Collections Manager has an essential role in realizing integrated collections stewardship for one of the most significant collections of modern and contemporary art. This position is primarily responsible for expert management and strategic use of physical art storage spaces at SFMOMA’s two facilities, and the movement of art between those facilities in ways that are in alignment with the museum’s strategic priorities and goals of the Collections Management department and the Collections, Exhibitions and Design (CED) division. They are a vital partner to the Director of Collections Management and colleagues in Collections in the long-term care, documentation, and accessibility of SFMOMA’s art collection, as well as loans to the Museum, including the Fisher Collection.

Reporting to the Director of Collections Management, this position directly manages a Collections Care and Access Team of staff based at both the Museum’s 151 Third Street location and Collections Center, including a team of preparators at the Collections Center.

A successful candidate will begin to learn the systems and practices of the Collections and CED teams over the first month to quarter with SFOMOMA, while fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment. This will include working with Registration, Conservation, and Exhibitions & Program Management to understand project needs and priorities. Within the first year the candidate will proactively further their institutional understanding, plan for and initiate future collections care and access projects and become a positive contributor to the successful completion of collection and exhibition-based activities.

  • Must be able to visually inspect artwork.
  • Must be able to lift 20 lbs. 
  • Job posting open date: 10/29/26

    All jobs posted will remain open for at least five business days.  

    We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within the initial open posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond that initial period. Applications will not be accepted after a posting has been clo


    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 information, ancestry/national origin, marital status, disability, medical condition, HIV status, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, and any other category protected by federal or 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 talent@sfmoma.org.
  • Manage team members based at the Museum’s Third Street location and the Collections Center. Partner with the Director of Collections Management and other department managers in sustaining a collections management community where all experts have a productive forum to share ideas, best practices, and learning, so they have a deeper sense of belonging in collections care.
  • 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 Collections Care and Access Team and larger Collections Management Department.    
  • Build and foster a culture of safety, inclusivity, and equity, and support the personal and professional growth of individuals.    
  • Work in a healthy and flexible management style that understands and adjusts to staff needs and supports strategic pursuits and sustainable workloads.   
  • Nurture collaboration and partnership across teams with fluid communication and respect for diverse expertise that are essential to an art museum.    
  • Support effective and efficient communication and workflows, prioritize activities, and ensure that the Collections Care and Access Team has the resources they need to do their jobs.    
  • Model empathy and understanding, communicates clearly, and can explain the benefits of changing practices and behaviors to meet the needs of colleagues, teams, and projects.    
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the Museum’s strategic focus of making programming that engages visitors and inspires individuals to return and recommend the Museum to their family and friends. 
  • Support the Museum’s strategic focus with processes and guardrails to ensure we move towards the same goals and pivot away from activities that do not support the strategy.     
  • Represent the Museum through conference presentations, guest lecturing, committee work, mentoring, and publications.  
  • Plan and deliver integrated and strategic management and use of physical art storage at the Museum’s Third Street location and its Collections Center, using the highest standards of care, security, and sustainability, so that the art collection is as accessible as possible to the museum’s staff and audiences. 
  • Oversee day-to-day management of art storage spaces at the Museum’s two facilities including maintenance and cleaning.
  • Partner with the Head Preparator on additional art handling support needed for either location.
  • Partner with Conservation and Facilities to maintain appropriate storage climate conditions, integrated pest management, and housekeeping programs.
  • Partner with the Director of Collections Management to plan and manage short- and long-term art storage organization projects to maximize the best use of spaces, including utilizing off-site storage and digital art storage systems.
  • Partner with colleagues in Collections Management, Registration, and Conservation to implement integrated best practices for art access, housing, matting, framing, storage, and movement.
  • Collaborate with colleagues across the Museum to encourage and support art access and use, cross-disciplinary research, and creative engagement with the art collection.
  • Oversee safe maintenance and practice in our Collections Center woodshop and other workspaces.
  • Manage CC Preparator weekly schedule, project assignments, and tasks.
  • Develop and support effective and efficient workflows, prioritize activities, and ensure that the team has the resources they need.
  • Prepare budgets related to storage, housing, and movement of art.
  • Track and report on data related to collections growth, art location, use, and movement.
  • Develop, update, and implement policies related to Collections Management in partnership with the Director of Collections Management.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, Art Conservation, Art History, or related discipline.  Possession of an advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum five (5) years of related experience in museum registration and/or collections management, with collection experience essential. Experience working with Fine Art Collections preferred.
  • Minimum of three (3) years of direct supervisory experience.   
  • Collections management expertise with thorough knowledge of registration methods and significant experience in applying collections care principles in modern and contemporary art museums.
  • Knowledge of conservation concepts, procedures, and terms. 
  • Knowledge of crating, packing, and transportation methods.
  • Outstanding management and supervisory skills, a desire to work in and lead a team-oriented environment, a high level of initiative, creative and flexible problem-solving skills, and the ability to direct and motivate staff.
  • Ability to maintain a sense of focus and calm under pressure, with challenging or changing deadlines.
  • Detail-oriented and accustomed to utilizing a variety of tools to track and report the status of projects.   
  • Proficiency working with collections management systems. 
  • Proficiency with Microsoft applications (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and Asana or other project management software platforms.
  • Location & Eligibility

    Where is the job
    South San Francisco, United States
    On-site at the office
    Who can apply
    US

    About this job

    Pay per year
    $92,742–$102,380 a year
    43% above the $68,006 median for Other jobs on Jobera (130,114 salaries).
    Who can apply
    United States
    Posted
    15 days ago
    Employer
    has 9 open jobs on Jobera.

    Listing Details

    Posted
    October 14, 2026
    First seen
    October 30, 2026
    Last seen
    October 30, 2026

    Posting Health

    Days active
    0
    Repost count
    0
    Trust Level
    38%
    Scored at
    October 30, 2026

    Signal breakdown

    freshnesssource trustcontent trustemployer trust
    Newsletter

    Stay ahead of the market

    Get the latest job openings, salary trends, and hiring insights delivered to your inbox every week.

    A
    B
    C
    D
    Join 12,000+ marketers

    No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    Collections ManagerUSD 92,742–102,380 per year