Senior Manager of Registration (Full-time, Onsite)

The Senior Manager of Registration leads all registrarial work within the Visual Arts Department at MASS MoCA by envisioning and implementing systems and procedures that ensure the safety and care of artwork while providing flexibility to meet the needs of artists in the creation of large scale commissions and exhibitions. This position supervises the Assistant Registrar and oversees the maintenance and care of artwork while in transit, during installation, and while on display. With the Assistant Registrar, they manage shipping, tracking loan agreements, facilities reports, and condition reports. The Senior Manager will also provide leadership on the creation of an art database, manage art storage and serve as the point person on all issues pertaining to artwork on display in the galleries. The Senior Manager reports to the Director of Exhibitions, and currently supervises the Assistant Registrar. This position works closely with the Director of Exhibitions and the Manager of Installation to schedule all exhibition calendars including the scheduling of temporary exhibition staff, on site artists, and shipping. They will be responsible for supervising art handlers and external contractors as required, during the installation and deinstallation of art.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Galleries Management

• Manage gallery/artwork maintenance and provide documentation for the care and condition of artwork in both long term and short term exhibitions.
• Develop cleaning and maintenance schedules for all exhibitions, and ensure standards of care are being met.
• Coordinate with the Visitor Experience Department gallery checks and incident reporting by Museum Attendants.
• Manage the implementation of climate conditions throughout the museum, and maintain accurate and up to date facility reports for each gallery where artwork is exhibited or stored.
• Implement and manage protocols for gallery incidents that involve damage to artwork and work with the Manager of Installation to address issues. Liaise with curators, artists, lenders, and galleries when issues arise.
• Work with the Special Events department to make possible any gallery-based events with the safety of the artwork in mind. This may include the request of stanchions or other barriers to be put in place to protect works during certain events.
• This position will liaise with Security on any gallery related needs or issues.
• Supervise and manage day-to-day duties and performance of the Assistant Registrar. Including making critical decisions in personnel management such as hiring, firing, performance management, scheduling, mentoring, corrective action, discipline and implementing institutional policies and procedures.

Registration

• Takes leadership in the development of an art database to manage data and documentation for both short term and long term exhibitions.
• Responsible for updating and determining fine art insurance coverage—and requesting riders as necessary.
• Maintain and track registrarial agreements and documents, including but not limited to: loan forms, facilities reports, COI’s, condition reports, travel contracts, and insurance claims.
• Manage art storage, in collaboration with the Assistant Registrar and with support from the Art Fabrication Team.
• Work with curators on checklists and details for shipping, conditioning, and storage.
• Provide guidance for the Assistant Registrar in the completion of the registrarial duties.
• Responsible for maintaining reasonable values for loans in collaboration with the curators and for signing off on loan forms and other contracts.

Logistics and Exhibitions

• Work with Assistant Registrar to manage incoming and outgoing transportation of all loans, both domestic and international shipments. This includes: obtaining competitive bids to lower transportation budget costs; contracting with shipping companies, working with Exhibition staff to determine transport scheduling; overseeing and completing all customs-related documentation; and ordering special packing needs.
• In collaboration with Curators and Director of Exhibitions, manage with the assistant registrar all registration checklists for all exhibitions.
• Manage condition reporting for all incoming and outgoing artwork with the Assistant Registrar.
• Notify lenders, curators, Director of Visual Arts and Director of Exhibitions of any change or damage to loaned work. The Senior Manager of Registration will notify insurance agents in the event of significant damage to borrowed works, and submit documentation of events leading up to the damage.
• Coordinate and track any necessary conservation treatments
• Work with curators to generate and track loan forms.
• Perform risk analysis of exhibition design in collaboration with Curators and Director of Exhibitions to ensure staff, artwork, and visitor safety.
• Work closely with the Advancement Department on the annual MASS MoCA Gala and live auction events including: arrange for delivery of artworks to MASS MoCA or other event location and to buyers at close of auction; attend site visits to plan layout for artwork; pack artworks and organize shipping or vehicle rental for moving artwork; and with Art Fabrication crew members assure safe handling and packing of auction items.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with the Assistant Registrar to ensure departmental goals and responsibilities are met.
• Maintain consistent communication and growth-focused performance conversations with direct reports.
• This job description is intended to describe the general nature of the role and the work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. The Senior Manager of Registration may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, as needed.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in registration at museums, galleries, and/or artist studios (preferably with knowledge of non-collecting museums).
• Minimum of 3 years in a supervisory or team leadership role, with experience in performance management, scheduling, and mentoring staff.
• Preference will be given to candidates with strong knowledge of contemporary art and experience working directly with artists and with a range of materials.
• Experience with scheduling, resource management, and knowledge of professional practices for art handling, shipping, (especially international, multi-modal shipping) and conservation.
• Budget planning, strong working knowledge of spreadsheets and art database management.
• Strong verbal communication and organizational/analytical skills.
• The ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
• Able to work collaboratively within a fast-paced team environment.
• Strong attention to accuracy and detail, ability to multi-task and think critically, and work independently and with initiative.
• Flexible thinking about conservation, repairs, and materials is required.

Work Conditions:

• Must be proficient with computers and commonly used office software, including Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive) and Microsoft Office applications.
• Some duties of this position would require being able to work outside, potentially in inclement weather for extended periods of time.
• This position may require extended hours, including occasional nights and weekends. The schedule will be determined by the manager.
• This position is based on site at MASS MoCA’s North Adams campus; regular in-person attendance is required,  with some potential for hybrid hours.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit for extended periods of time with limited breaks.
• The employee may be required to climb or balance, squat, kneel, and crouch.
• The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 25+ pounds and move heavy objects as required.
• Employees are required to move about their work area, between buildings and the campus grounds, ascend and descend stairs.
• Use of PPE and adherence to safety protocols as required

Compensation and Benefits: 

This position is full-time and exempt. In accordance with the Massachusetts Wage Transparency Act, we are disclosing a good-faith salary range for this position: $65,000–$72,000 per year. This reflects our reasonable expectation at the time of posting. Final compensation will be influenced by factors such as experience, education, licensure, and qualifications, and this range is not a guarantee for any individual employee.

This position offers relocation assistance and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Long term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Account (DCA)
• Medical deductible reimbursement
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Roth 401(k) option
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Sick Time
• Emergency Assistance Fund (LemonAid)
• Retirement planning support
• Professional development reimbursement
• Educational leave
• Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Student loan repayment assistance
• Discounts at Gift Shop and R&D Store
• Staff appreciation social events year-round

Application Process:

Interested candidates should apply online with a resume and cover letter. The application also includes a few brief questions to help us better understand your experience and interest in the role. Incomplete applications — including those missing the requested documents — may not be fully considered.

Applications received by January 4, 2026 will be given full consideration; however, we will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

About MASS MoCA:

MASS MoCA is a vibrant non-collecting art museum with approximately 300,000 square feet of exhibition space dedicated to visual art and projects by contemporary artists. Formerly a 19th century factory, these exhibition spaces are unconventional, vast, soaring galleries spanning multiple buildings. Half of that space is dedicated to rotating 10–16 month exhibitions of which we present 4 to 6 large-scale exhibitions per year, along with smaller projects and commissions. The additional space is dedicated to long-term exhibitions in conjunction with artists, estates, and collections that run from 10 months to 25 years. MASS MoCA frequently works directly with artists on the fabrication of new commissions and large-scale site-specific installations.

MASS MoCA was founded in 1999, not only as a contemporary art museum and performing arts venue, but also as a creative campus with a regional, national and global impact. MASS MoCA is one of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA is able to embrace all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. From its beginnings as the major textile mill Arnold Print Works in the mid-19th century, to its days as the Sprague Electric Company in the mid-20th century, to its current iteration as a globally renowned contemporary art museum and fabrication center, the 24-acre MASS MoCA campus has a rich history of serving as the economic engine of the city of North Adams and the surrounding region.