Collections Manager – Art, Archives, and Special Collections

About the role

The Collections Manager is responsible for the operational stewardship, documentation, organization, preservation, and secure storage of MBZUAI’s physical archival and special collections.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Head in implementing acquisitions, commissions, and collection development initiatives through planning, documentation, and logistics coordination.
• Manage accessioning, cataloguing, classification, and metadata entry for physical collections in line with archival and museum standards.
• Oversee object movement, packing, international shipping, insurance coordination, and loan documentation.
• Maintain storage environments, conduct condition assessments, and implement conservation best practices.
• Facilitate controlled access for researchers and institutional stakeholders while ensuring compliance with national and international standards.
• Coordinate digitization efforts, ensuring image capture standards, file naming conventions, and metadata alignment.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Archival Studies, Library and Information Science, Museum Studies, History, or related field; postgraduate degree preferred.
• 5‑8 years of experience in collections management, archives, or museum environments, with proven ability to manage sensitive historical materials.
• Strong understanding of archival standards, preservation practices, and UAE heritage regulatory frameworks.
• Professional certification in archives or collections management is desirable.