We are accepting and reviewing applications on a rolling basis. ROLE OVERVIEW: The Registrar for the Collection is responsible for SAM’s 25,000+ object permanent collection across all 3 sites, maintaining records on all works of art owned by or entrusted to the care of the Seattle Art Museum, and for the location, safety, movement, and transport of these works of art, proactively minimizing risks to the works of art and to SAM. The Registrar for the Collection will serve as one of four Registrars supporting the institution, within the Department of Registration, inclusive of an Associate Registrar for Rights & Reproduction, and a part-time Museum Services Coordinator. FLSA STATUS: Exempt COMPENSATION: $85,000 - $90,000 REPORTS TO: Director of Registration WORKING SCHEDULE: This role is typically scheduled to work standard business hours Monday - Friday. However, the needs of the role and support of the department or organization may require evening work, weekend work, and travel as assigned. BENEFITS: Full Time SAM Staff are eligible to enroll in medical (through Kaiser), dental (through Delta Dental of WA), vision (through Vision Service Pan), and basic life insurance/LTD/AD&D (through LifeMap), as well as a Flexible Spending Account (through Navia Benefit Solutions). FT Staff also have the option to elect Short Term Disability or Supplemental Dental Insurance (through Aflac). FT Staff can participate in SAM’s 403b retirement plan and begin receiving a guaranteed 3% employer contribution following 1 year & 1,000 hours worked. Additionally, as of July 1, 2025 the employer match program will resume. FT Staff have access to paid time off for vacation, sick leave, bereavement leave, and jury duty per accrual and pro-rated schedules. SAM observes 12 holidays each year and offers FT Staff 1 paid floating holiday of their choice. FT Staff can opt into a 50% subsidized unlimited Orca card. FT Staff also receive a Patron level membership to SAM, and a Tier III membership to the American Alliance of Museums, as well as access to an onsite fitness facility, SAM museum library, a no-cost Employee Assistance Program resource, a 20% discount at the SAM Museum Shop, a 10% discount at SAM’s MARKET cafe, and 8 Home Free Guarantee cab rides home per year. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Collection Management + Organize all aspects of incoming and outgoing movement of works of art being considered for gift, purchase, or study + Utilizing information provided by the Curation Department, arrange the safe transportation and packing of the works of art under consideration, and organize shipment in order that the objects arrive or return on schedule + Make extensive contacts outside the museum, with shippers and contractors for arranging movement of the objects, and with customs brokers for arranging clearance for foreign shipments + Oversee the preparation of all incoming and outgoing documentation for each object and notify all appropriate internal departments about the arrival or departure of each shipment + Oversee unpacking and packing, check condition, and maintain condition reports. Occasional art handling may be required  + Coordinate all work necessary to prepare the objects for shipment, including but not limited to, construction of shipping crates and consulting with the Conservation Department for proper handling in shipment + Arrange for internal movement of objects and ensure that movement records are current + Organize all aspects of incoming and outgoing shipment of works of art brought to SAM for long-term loan to be displayed with the permanent collection as assigned and for long-term deposit + Utilize loan agreements, contact owners and dealers, and responsible for arranging logistics of movement of objects from and to owner's premises + Prepare budget estimates for securing, shipping, escorting, and insuring of loans to the collection + Responsible for accessioning and deaccessioning all objects acquired or released by SAM and for creating and maintaining the basic electronic and paper file records on the collections + Execute deed of gift, verify seller’s warranty, verify estate releases, and execute IRS forms + Work closely with Curatorial Department to verify credit lines + Work with the legal department as needed + As assigned, work closely with the Curatorial and Design Services in coordinating the preparation, installation, and documentation of special exhibitions + Responsible for tracking partial and promised gifts to the collection, including updating documentation to reflect changes in percentages or status of these gifts + Keep track of possession time to ensure compliance with terms of the gift + Distribute annual listing to curatorial staff of status of partial and promised gifts + Manage and coordinate the movement of requested works of art to designated viewing areas + Work with curators, donors, and others to have objects under consideration in the building for presentation + Perform periodic inventories and participate in annual inventory at the direction of the Director of Registration + Act as courier in accompanying objects to and from SAM, other exhibition sites, and private lenders Collection Database + Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of the collections management database, TMS + Responsible for the maintenance of the database of collections-related information available to SAM staff, the greater museum community, and the public + Working with Curatorial Department, determine the items of information to be included in TMS and how they are to be organized and structured + Develop protocols and standards for data entry and authority controls + Determine whether new data elements or other modifications are to be made to the database + Assure database integrity by monitoring information anomalies, such as duplicate constituent names + Responsible for the administration of user access to TMS + Establish data ownership, retrieval, and modification rights of the departments and offices of SAM that use the collection database + Determine which staff members will have access and at what levels + Assume lead responsibility as the TMS support contact and works with IT to determine user support responsibilities + Document problems reported by users and forwards such issues to the appropriate person(s) for resolution + Serve as SAM staff liaison to software vendor, including reporting bugs and system errors + Develop user support materials and programs + Assure that the system is adequately documented by preparing reference materials and updating the SAM TMS user's guide + Train staff who use TMS Other + Work closely with Collections Associate in organizing the Board of Trustees Committee on Collection meetings WE’RE LOOKING FOR: + Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, Art History, Museum Studies, or equivalent related experience + Minimum 5+ years in museum registration + Thorough knowledge of current museum techniques, practices, and standards regarding special exhibitions, registration methods, collection records and cataloguing, packing materials and methods, conservation, fine arts insurance, and computerized systems + Understanding of and familiarity with the various means of accomplishing local, national, and international transportation, including an understanding of how different modes of shipping will affect various objects and materials + Thorough knowledge of export licenses, bonding, customs regulations, legal requirements for collections and security procedures + Familiarity with database authority structure, museological data standards, and art history terminology + Familiarity with foreign languages (especially French, German, Spanish, and/or Italian) to interpret international correspondence, invoices, and documents pertaining to shipments and to assist couriers is a plus + Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, ability to communicate and interact and to work effectively with a wide range of diverse constituencies + Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with Board members, key donors, executives, management, employees, and the public + Ability to work successfully with a high degree of ambiguity, and exercise sound, timely judgement + Successfully assess competing priorities and work well with deadlines, exceptional time management, problem solving, and analytical skills + Ability to apply and adapt practices and techniques to the special requirements of the museum + Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with Board members, key donors, executives, management, employees, and the public + Exercise discretion in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information + Collaborative and collegial management style + Organizational ability with strong management and supervisory skills + Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Asana, Slack and internet-based research + Demonstrated proficiency and accuracy in using TMS + Ability to represent the institution and its mission, programs, and services with a high level of integrity and professionalism, presenting a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders + Adhere to and adopt museum policies in a positive and professional manner + Work requires willingness to work a flexible schedule and travel as needed WORKING CONDITIONS: Exposure: Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with moderate background noise, in galleries, warehouses, and workshops. Workspaces may include outdoor areas. Noise levels range from light to excessive and there is exposure to varying air-quality standards. Objects in the collection may contain pesticide residues or other toxic materials, either inherently, or from previous treatments and there may be exposure to potentially toxic material. There may be risk from exposure to these materials and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves and a respirator is required. Training and PPE will be provided. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED FOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Stationary Work: Approximately 70% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 30%) is spent moving around the work area. Occasional extended periods of standing may be required. Communication: Clear and effective verbal and written communication in English with trustees, the public, and co-workers is necessary. Vision: Ability to effectively use a computer screen and interpret printed materials, memos and other appropriate paperwork. Office Work: Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary. Lifting/Carrying/Pushing/Pulling: Ability to transport up to fifty (50) pounds of equipment and supplies. ------------------------------------------------ Celebrating difference. At Seattle Art Museum, our members, visitors, and local community come from all walks of life, and so do our employees, volunteers, and interns. The plurality of our identities and experiences strengthens our mission: connecting art to life. Our mission and vision call us to be responsive to a multitude of cultural contexts and lived experiences, and as such, our Strategic Plan directly addresses the role art plays in empowering and elevating social justice movements, and promoting structural change to further equity in our society. SAM is particularly dedicated to racial equity in the workplace, because we know that people of color are the most impacted when it comes to both historical and present inequities. We know that equity is not a single fixed destination, it’s ongoing reckoning. As SAM continually strives to be a more inclusive and equitable workplace, we are particularly interested in engaging with those who have been historically underrepresented in the museum field. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace, and a sense of belonging for each and every employee, because we know our organization is at its best when we celebrate difference. SAM is an equal opportunity employer. We are an equal opportunity employer, and consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, sensory, physical, or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. SAM is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures, and will consider candidates for employment who may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. Please contact the Human Resources Department at HR@seattleartmuseum.org for additional information, or to request reasonable accommodations for the application or interview process. We encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace, and a sense of belonging for each and every employee, because we know our organization is at its best when we include, celebrate and embrace difference. We encourage you to submit an application, even if your experience doesn’t feel like a 100% match with the position. We know applying for a job can be intimidating, and research tells us that womxn and folks of color are less likely to apply if they don't see themselves meeting or exceeding every single qualification listed. We encourage you to apply, even if you feel unsure about whether you meet every requirement in this job post. You could very well be a great fit for this role or others. Criminal background check. Employment at SAM is contingent upon successful clearing of both a federal and state criminal background check. Want to learn more? If you haven't already, check out our Careers page for more on working at SAM. Though we'd love to be able to reply to every question that crosses our desk, due to the high volume of applications we receive, our HR team is unfortunately unable to offer a response to inquiries requesting search status updates, inquiries about hiring timeline, or requests to be put in touch with directly with the Hiring Team. If your experiences and capabilities are well suited to an open role, our Recruiter or the Hiring Manager will reach out directly to schedule an interview. Thanks for your understanding! Powered by JazzHR