Collections Manager – Art, Archives, and Special Collections

About the role

The Collections Manager will oversee the operational stewardship, documentation, preservation, and secure storage of MBZUAI’s physical archival and special collections. Reporting to the Head of Art, Archives, and Special Collections, the role ensures proper acquisition, cataloguing, conservation, and controlled access for research and exhibitions.

Key responsibilities

• Support acquisition, commission, and collection development initiatives through planning, documentation, and logistics.
• Manage accessioning and maintain thorough documentation in line with institutional policies.
• Lead cataloguing, description, labeling, and metadata entry for physical collections.
• Coordinate object movement, international shipping, insurance, and loan documentation.
• Oversee exhibition installation and de‑installation, including risk assessments.
• Maintain storage environments, conduct condition assessments, and implement conservation best practices.
• Facilitate controlled access for researchers and institutional stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with national and international archival, shipping, and provenance standards.
• Coordinate digitisation projects, enforcing image capture standards and metadata alignment.

Required profile

• Proven experience in managing physical archives, art collections, or special heritage materials.
• Strong knowledge of archival and museum standards, provenance documentation, and conservation practices.
• Ability to plan and execute acquisitions, loans, and exhibitions while maintaining compliance.
• Experience coordinating digitisation and metadata workflows.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape the collection strategy of a leading AI university.
• Collaborative environment with curatorial and facilities teams.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art storage and digitisation facilities.