Senior Director, Collections, Preservation and Research
Senior Director, Collections, Preservation and Research
Description
POSITION SUMMARY
Overview
The Florida Holocaust Museum (FHM) honors the memory of millions of innocent men, women, and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. One of the largest Holocaust museums in the country and one of only three American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accredited Holocaust museums, The FHM is dedicated to teaching members of all races and cultures to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of human life to prevent future genocides. The Museum boasts an outstanding collection of contemporary visual art, a large research library, a growing collection of artifacts, and was recently awarded Professor Elie Wiesel’s personal collection, doubling the size of the overall collection.
The FHM is seeking a Senior Director of Collections, Preservation, and Research (CPR) to lead and integrate its exhibitions and collections operations. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Senior Director, CPR will manage and develop a team overseeing the planning, logistics, care, movement, installation, and preservation of the Museum's collections and exhibitions. The ideal candidate will translate curatorial vision into executable, financially responsible, and mission-aligned plans while supporting the organization through its re-accreditation process and significant capital projects.
Key Responsibilities
Lead exhibition and collection operations, translating curatorial vision into executable, budget-conscious plans
Oversee the care, movement, installation, preservation, and documentation of museum collections and exhibitions
Supervise departmental staff, including the Registrar, Exhibits Manager, and Collections Assistant
Partner with senior leadership on institutional growth, capital projects, re-accreditation, and Board reporting
Manage departmental budgets and operational costs to ensure fiscal responsibility
Establish team KPIs, training, and professional development
Optimize departmental structures and workflows to improve efficiency and deliverables
Establish preventive conservation standards, coordinate environmental controls with Facilities, and oversee offsite storage
Lead collection inventory and condition assessments to establish conservation and restoration priorities
Maintain data integrity across collection management systems and support library operations
Collaborate across departments on risk assessment, mitigation, emergency planning, and response
Build national and international partnerships, particularly with peer Holocaust museums
Represent the Museum publicly and maintain active involvement with the AAM
The Florida Holocaust Museum is an equal opportunity employer, we aspire to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characters protected by law. We believe that building a workforce of the brightest people from the widest possible range of backgrounds can innovate and inspire and engage with the widest possible audience.
Requirements
Qualifications & Skills
Advanced degree in museum studies, art history, conservation, or a related field preferred
10+ years of progressively responsible experience in a museum or major cultural institution
Demonstrated knowledge of Holocaust history, artifacts, and related collections strongly preferred
Proven experience with capital projects, gallery renovations, major reinstallations, and managing large operational budgets
Advanced knowledge of preventive conservation including storage, packing, climate control, risk management, emergency planning
Demonstrated strategic thinking, cross-departmental leadership, operational rigor, and commitment to museum ethics
Strong interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and team leadership skills
Experience with collections management systems, digital collections, and data standards, with a strong commitment to collections documentation and information integrity
Ability to assist with exhibit installation and artifact handling, including lifting up to 10 lbs