Art Manager jobs in Washington

The Storage Department Manager leads a dedicated team of subject matter experts in a high touch, customer-oriented sector of the fine arts industry and partners with both internal and external stakeholders to manage physical fine art storage locations, databases containing sensitive art and client data, storage billing and notices, and procedures safeguarding and papering custody a88nd audit trails and company risk. The person in this position provides specialized knowledge, employee supervision, and acts as the primary compliance and customer escalation contact. They are responsible for applying current knowledge of museum best practices, specialized storage methods and materials, and industry standards to the artwork entrusted to our care. To be successful in this role, one must demonstrate strong task and time management skills and be highly adept at critical thinking in a fast-paced environment where priorities change quickly.

Responsibilities include the following areas:

Line Management:

• Develop, implement, and enforce the highest level of registration, condition reporting, and physical storage standards and procedures for Artech, with attention paid to current industry trends and standards.
• Manage quality control and assurance for all services and products coming out of the Storage Department with strict adherence to defined Artech standards and practices.
• Manage departmental costs, crew utilization, and competitive pricing to safeguard the success and profitability of Storage Department.
• Extend support, advice, and storage, registration, and data handling expertise to all Artech service lines, and monitor project development.
• Engage peers in a collaborative work environment to problem solve and develop innovative storage solutions.
• Advise company-wide job owners on interfacing with the storage department, booking and staffing client viewings, and receive/release schedules.
• Manage vendor relationships for existing suppliers as well as investigating new suppliers, materials, and practices, and implementing them as appropriate.
• Attend and make productive contributions to meetings, site visits and consultations with clients, vendors, industry partners and/or Artech staff.
• Assist in the development of new markets by expanding our storage capabilities and services.

People Management

• Serve as a leader in the company, foster a strong team culture, and contribute to employee retention.
• Manage staffing levels, recruit, hire, train and supervise crew for the Storage Department.
• Support members of the Storage Department with regular guidance and team meetings, performance management, 1:1’s, annual reviews, ongoing development opportunities and assurance of staffing equity.
• Understand and enforce company policies, procedures and business ethics codes and assure that they are communicated and implemented within department.
• Cultivate a customer-oriented team with strong soft skills and appropriate onsite etiquette.
• Serve as escalation point for conflict and issues that arise within department or with other internal or external stakeholders.
• Monitor crew compliance with DOT and TSA regulations, as relevent.
• Monitor AIMS compliance and advise on policy and procedure.

TRAINING, RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY:

• Remain up to date on industry best practices and standards to ensure the safe handling, tracking and storage of the artwork entrusted to Artech.
• Invest time in personal ongoing education and skill development.
• Develop and implement company wide training on condition reporting, valuation, storage methods and materials, data/database management and deployment.
• Contribute informed feedback on crew capabilities and advise on staffing and training deficiencies.
• Manage physical storage warehouse safety, fire code compliance, the use of fall arrest PPE in Artech properties, integrated pest management, and the security of the storage areas.
• Monitor and manage the climate control systems and climate in all Artech storage facilities, generating reports as requested by internal and external stakeholders. Climate system includes air handlers, humidifiers, data loggers, and air circulation.
• Create and implement response plans for system failures.
• Evaluate project requests to identify and mitigate risk.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment, adhere to all Artech safety policies, and promote a culture of health and safety.
• Keep areas of warehouse and office that are allocated to the Storage Department organized and well-maintained with supplies and specialized equipment.
• Ensure that all stored goods are strapped or otherwise braced to mitigate any movement during seismic activity.
• Uphold Artech security protocols regarding access to, information about, and movement of all artworks held in our care.
• Enforce building security by following sign-in, escort, and identity verification processes on all guests.
• Strictly observe all Artech and client non-disclosure agreements to maintain the utmost level of discretion and confidentiality of our clients and the projects we work on.
• Manage internal and external records and reports on client insurance requests and COIs.

PROJECT EXECUTION:

• Engage peers in a collaborative work environment to problem solve and develop innovative storage solutions.
• Create and effectively communicate execution plans for crew members, set priorities, and keep crew aware of progress toward goal and total scope of work.
• Ensure the efficient use of resources.
• Manage change control process; ensure that proposed change to scope is adequately defined, qualified, and approved before implementation.
• Provide front-line support in registration, cataloguing, tracking and organization of artworks, and artwork staging.
• Document artwork, through photography, digital imaging, or other methods as requested by client or required by assignment.
• Extend support, advice, and storage, condition reporting, and data/database expertise to all Artech service lines as necessary.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT:

• Deliver excellent customer service through impeccable communication, accuracy, expediency, and technical prowess.
• Partner closely with job owners and transportation teams to ensure paperwork (receipts, BOLs, inventories, etc) are accurate, complete and timely.
• Safeguard the success and profitability of projects; manage project budget, schedule, and quality.
• Understand and manage client expectations, requirements, and sensitivity.
• Ensure the prompt completion, accuracy and thoroughness of all project paperwork and records and archive appropriately.
• Understand and enforce contract and service agreement compliance.
• Maintain clear and timely communication with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Follow company workflow policies and procedures and utilize project systems and tools.
• Operate as onsite liaison between clients and Artech, anticipate client needs and exceed expectations.

ADDITIONAL:

• Other duties as assigned.

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REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of five years with fine art storage, museum caliber collections, archive work or equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to mentor, supervise and lead a team.
• Commitment to on-going management training and investment of personal time in ongoing education and skill development.
• Knowledge of contemporary museum practices and industry standards for art handling, transportation, and storage.
• Excellent soft skills, strong collaboration and influencing skills and ability to develop and manage relationships.
• Ability to organize, multitask, prioritize, and work under pressure.
• Must be able to lift and move with at least 75lbs.
• Able to bend, kneel, crouch and/or stand for extended periods of time.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
• Aptitude for data management (knowledge of Access and AIMS a plus)
• Familiarity with basic art terminology and art history is a plus.
• Clean and tidy appearance
• Uncompromising discretion and professionalism.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent experience
• Must pass full background screening
• Must have valid driver’s license, clean driving record and ability to safely operate a large box truck; 26 foot at minimum.
• Strict compliance with DOT commercial driver requirements (CDL not required).
• TSA CCSF training and an STA number
• Forklift, Aerial and Scissor Lift Certification (a plus)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $88,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Please describe any experience you have with art collection databases.
• Do you have experience working with private collections?

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person