“Senior Management Role - Collections, Lusail Museum”

This Senior Management of Collections role at Lusail Museum, Qatar Museums, is responsible for the strategic leadership and management of the museum’s collections, ensuring their preservation, growth, documentation, and accessibility. The positions requires oversight of the Collection Management, Conservation, and Digital Asset departments, ensuring that all collection-related activities align with the museum’s mission and long-term vision. This Senior Management position will play a key role in advancing the future Lusail Museum by ensuring that all collection and storage facilities - including conservation, photography, and workshop labs - are designed and equipped to meet the operational needs for the exhibition, preservation, and management of the museum’s growing collection. The role equally involves building and developing the Collections team through strategic recruitment and effective management of future staff. 

Salary is net of taxes. 

Leadership and Oversight:

·     Lead and manage the Collection Management, Conservation, and Digital Asset departments, ensuring the effective care, documentation, and preservation of the museum’s collections and loan management.

·     Provide strategic direction for all Collections related activities, including acquisitions, deaccessions, loans, storage, and documentation, in alignment with the museum’s policies and long-term objectives.

·     Foster a collaborative working environment, offering mentorship and professional development opportunities to department staff.

·     Advance the Lusail Museum Collections to be recognized internationally for best practices in collection management, conservation, digital asset management, and online display.

Strategic Collection Development:

·     Develop and implement a comprehensive Collections strategy that aligns with the museum's mission and supports the diversity and expansion of its collection and addresses the needs of the future museum building and its programming.

·     Work closely with the Museum Director and curatorial teams to identify and acquire significant works that enhance the museum’s holdings.

·     Establish, implement, and effectively manage policies and procedures for the ethical acquisition, accession, and deaccession of objects in accordance with leading international museum standards.

Collection Management and Documentation:

·     Ensure the accurate, thorough cataloging, documentation, and management of all collection objects through careful oversight of all collection workflows, physical storage, record-keeping (including EMu CMS), and future digital asset system. Promote the expanded use of digital workflows within Collections, particularly for project management and large archive information management, and lead the adoption of these practices across teams.

·     Oversee the storage, handling, and preventive conservation measures to safeguard the collection from environmental, physical, and chemical risks. Collaborate with conservators and curators to ensure all artifacts are stored in optimal, climate-controlled conditions tailored to their specific needs. Provide training on handling and preservation techniques, maintaining detailed records. Regularly audit and update these policies to reflect advancements in museum practices and technologies, ensuring the long-term preservation of the collection.

·     Develop protocols for the accession, documentation, and display of contemporary art, including video, media art, and digital artworks, an area of future growth in the collection, including all necessary digital storage workflows, documentation, and metadata requirements.

·     Oversee all collection management and registrar duties to ensure compliance with international standards for record documentation, condition reporting, transportation, insurance, and the legal and logistical aspects of loans and acquisitions. Work closely with the Curatorial division and Exhibitions project managers to ensure seamless coordination.

Conservation:

·     Oversee the Conservation department, ensuring that all preventive and remedial conservation efforts meet the highest professional, ethical and international standards.

·     Collaborate with internal staff and external conservation specialists to identify, assess, and prioritize conservation needs across the collection.

·     Manage large-scale and complex conservation projects to ensure the longevity of the museum’s collection, allocating resources effectively and ensuring project timelines are met.

·     Regularly evaluate conservation methodologies to incorporate new technologies and research, ensuring the long-term preservation of the collection.

·     Maintain a forward-thinking approach to conservation challenges in an international context, engaging with global networks and partnerships to enhance the museum’s conservation capabilities.

Digital Asset Management:

·     Lead, expand, and manage the Digital Asset department to create and maintain a comprehensive digital archive of the museum's collections, ensuring easy access for both staff and the public.

·     Develop a strategic plan for the digitization and digital preservation of the collections which includes enhancing online access and engagement with the museum’s assets, including new technologies (3D scanning, infra-red, AI, VR, AR, etc).

·     Oversee the management and advancement of metadata standards, digital rights, and intellectual property related to the collection’s digital content.

Policy Development and Implementation:

·     Review, develop, and implement policies for collections management, conservation, and digital assets that align and ensure compliance with best practices and international standards. Including review by collection teams as part of acquisition process to ensure advance awareness about conservation and collection management requirements, including financial, technical, and operational.

·     Ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards related to collections care, including provenance research, repatriation, and copyright issues.

Collaborative Projects and Stakeholder Engagement:

·     Supervise, manage, and lead work priorities of Collections division by working closely and collaboratively with section Heads of Collection Management, Conservation, and Digital Assets.

·     Collaborate closely with the Curatorial, Learning & Outreach, and Lusail Institute divisions to support exhibitions, research, and educational initiatives that feature the museum’s collections.

·     Work closely with Museum Development division to advance the design, operational planning, and specific needs of Collections for the future Lusail Museum building, including providing detailed guidelines, proposals, and technical requirements (developed in consultation with internal teams and external specialists as required). Specific scope includes: art handling, art storage, climate control, lighting, security, conservation labs, technical workshops, research facilities, digital infrastructure, administrative areas, operational workflows, and other relevant requirements.

·     Advise Museum Development team on exhibition design and display requirements for collection and loaned artworks and objects, including digital technologies for the display and online activities of museum and collection, including 3D scanning, AR, VR and related technologies.

·     Work closely with Museum Development division, which is responsible for Digital Innovation at Lusail Museum, to advance all digital and technology requirements for Collections in future programme and operational activities of museum building. Ensure close collaboration between Digital Assets and Digital Innovation teams.

·     Establish and maintain relationships with local, regional, and international institutions to promote the museum’s collection and collaborate on joint projects, exhibitions, and loans.

·     Establish and develop relationships with key vendors, technical specialists, and international museum experts in key areas related to collection management, conservation, and digital assets to ensure Lusail Museum is a future focused and a leader in Collection standards and museum industry practices.

·     Act as a key liaison with local, regional, and international donors, stakeholders, and governing bodies on all collection-related matters, including acquisitions and preservation initiatives.

Budget and Resource Management:

·     Develop and manage the annual budget for Collections (Collection Management, Conservation, and Digital Assets) to ensure that all activities are planned in advance and completed within allocated resources.

·     Research, secure and manage grants or other external funding sources to support collection-related projects and provide ongoing proposals of funding opportunities and submit necessary reports.

Staffing:

·     Plan and oversee recruitment and staff management strategies for the Collections division to accommodate its expanded role, aligning with the anticipated growth of the collection and the operational needs of the future museum building.

·     Manage staff within the Collections department, including Heads of Collection Management, Conservation, and Digital Assets, to provide leadership, mentoring, and professional development opportunities and ensure a high-performing team. Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations, while fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment. Conduct regular evaluations, address staffing needs, and ensure that the team is equipped to meet the evolving demands of the department.

Reporting and Communication:

·     Reports to the Museum Director and will provide ongoing updates and action items.

·     Prepare regular written reports on status of the museum’s Collections and related activities for senior management, donors, and other stakeholders.

·     Ensure effective communication and collaboration between the Collection Management, Conservation, and Digital Asset sections and other museum teams, including more broadly within Qatar Museums.

Requirements

·     Master’s degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Conservation, Collection Management, or equivalent professional experience in related field.

·     Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and manage cross-functional teams.

·     Ability to think strategically and align projects with the museum’s long-term goals and mission.

·     Collections Expertise: In-depth knowledge of best practices in collections management, conservation, and digital asset management.

·     Strategic Planning: Demonstrated ability to develop and implement long-term and innovative strategies for collections care, acquisition, and access.

·     Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across departments and with external partners.

·     Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information to both professional and public audiences.

·     Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated knowledge and experience with collection management procedures, technical conservation practices, collection management software like EMu, DAMS, metadata standards, and archival information management.

Experience

·     At least 10 years of experience working in collections management or a related field, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within a museum or cultural institution.

• ·     Proven experience in managing conservation and digital asset initiatives, with a track record of successful project implementation.

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