Collections Manager – Art, Archives & Special Collections

About the role

The Collections Manager (Art, Archives, and Special Collections) oversees the 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 the Head in implementing acquisitions, commissions, and collection development initiatives through operational planning, documentation, and logistics coordination.
• Manage accessioning and thorough documentation of archival and heritage materials in line with institutional policies.
• Lead the arrangement, description, cataloguing, labeling, and metadata entry for physical collections, adhering to archival and museum standards.
• Oversee object movement, packing, international shipping, courier arrangements, and insurance coordination, including loan documentation and compliance.
• Coordinate installation and de‑installation of exhibitions, maintaining risk assessments.
• Supervise storage environments, handling procedures, condition assessments, environmental controls, and emergency preparedness.
• Facilitate controlled access for authorized researchers and institutional stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with national and international archival, shipping, and provenance standards.
• Oversee digitisation projects, establishing image capture standards and file naming conventions.

Required profile

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape the university’s collection strategy and contribute to cultural heritage preservation.
• Collaboration with curatorial, conservation, and facilities teams.