Assistant Director for Collections & Exhibition Services

Current Employees:

If you are a current Staff, Faculty or Temporary employee at the University of Miami, please click here to log in to Workday to use the internal application process. To learn how to apply for a faculty or staff position using the Career worklet, please review this tip sheet.

The Assistant Director for Collections and Exhibition Services is responsible for ensuring the Lowe Art Museum’s compliance with the highest of professional standards in the fields of registration, collections management, exhibition planning and implementation, and unit-specific operations. As a critical member of the Lowe’s senior staff, the AD is responsible for helping to set and achieve strategic goals and objectives (both unit- and museum-wide) through mission-oriented tactics. The AD supervises the Lowe’s registrar, students, and relevant contract workers, and reports to the Director/Chief Curator.

Core duties:

• Coordinates crating, shipping, and installation logistics for all Lowe exhibitions (both permanent and temporary) as well as for all gifts and loans.
• Works closely with the Lowe’s Chief Curator and the Lowe’s curatorial team to produce and present high-quality exhibitions, both temporary and permanent.
• Works closely with the Director/Chief Curator and the Lowe’s curatorial team on all art acquisitions (whether by purchase, gift, transfer, or otherwise) and assumes responsibility for all relevant documentation and logistics.
• Works closely with the Director/Chief Curator on all deaccessioning and disposal activities, and assumes responsibility for all relevant documentation and logistics.
• Vets all loan requests submitted to the Lowe.
• Meets the Lowe’s curatorial and education teams collections-based needs as these relate to the production of educational materials and other collateral (whether digital or analogue).
• Works with UM Faculty to develop and implement collaborative collections projects, including, but not limited to, ArtLab @ the Lowe.
• Responds to collections- and exhibitions-based research request and, when appropriate, facilitates collections access.
• Occasionally delivers field-specific talks and lectures for UM faculty and students.
• Responsible for submitting (or delegating to an appropriate subordinate) all unit-related Requisitions and Purchase Orders as well as managing all unit-related contracts and vendors.
• Coordinates and oversees collections- and exhibitions-related vendors, including, but not limited to contract preparators, installers, and fabricators.
• Works closely with UM’s Risk Management team on all matters related to the Lowe’s insurance and liability, including, but not limited to, mitigating risk, ensuring adequate coverage levels, and managing claims submissions.
• Offers field-specific support to UM’s Department of Facilities, Operations, and Planning; above all, as regards the Campus Sculpture Park.
• Works closely and effectively with colleagues in University Development and Alumni Relations to identify and pursue funds for collections and exhibition projects, including serving as PI and lead on relevant grants.
• Creates and maintains excellent donor relations on behalf of the Lowe (in concert with University Development and Alumni Relations).
• Assumes lead role in maintaining the Lowe’s AAM accreditation (next due in 2029), including preparatory studies and related initiatives.
• Other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.A., B.F.A., or equivalent required. Advanced degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Minimum three years of relevant experience, ideally in a museum environment.
• Demonstrated experience in exhibition development, publication development, and collections care.
• Superior written and oral communications skills.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Meaningful experience with collection management databases (e.g., TMS).
• Ability to develop and manage budgets.
• Excellent problem solving, planning, and organizational skills, with the ability to execute multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and process sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to operate computers and work with assigned software, including cloud-based filing sharing systems.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check.
• Ability to operate computer, printer, photocopier, typewriter, fax machine, laminating machine, and other office equipment.

Regul