Collection Registrar Full time, 2-Year Fixed Term Contract

Job Description

THE WALLACE COLLECTIONThe Wallace Collection is an internationally outstanding collection which contains unsurpassed masterpieces of paintings, sculpture, furniture, arms and armour and porcelain. Built over the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by theMarquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, it is one of the finest and most celebrated collections in the world.So that it could be kept together and enjoyed by generations of visitors, the collection was given to the British Nation in 1897. It was anastonishing bequest and one of the greatest gifts of art works ever to be transferred into public ownership. Today, our job is to maintain, research, and inspire the public to love and understand the Collection.The museum is managed by the Director, Dr XavierBray, who reports to a board of Trustees appointed by the Prime Minister and is financed by a combination of grant in-aid from central government and self-generated income.OVERALL PURPOSE AND ROLEWe are looking for a committed and enthusiastic Collection Registrarfrom a registrar or collection management background, to lead primarily on a nascent Loans Out programme at the Wallace Collection. The job holder will also undertake collection management duties when applicable. The Collection Registrar will be responsiblefor leading, establishing, implementing and maintaining the highest standards of best practice for loans out, making sure condition reports, packing, travel arrangements, insurance and documentation are properly managed.You will work as part of the WallaceCollections Collection Care team and special project teams to ensure the timely delivery of the loan out programme and collections care management.You will need to have a flexible, pragmatic approach to work, be a keen problem solver, be proactive and confidentworking with colleagues across all levels of the institution. You will have excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines, build and manage specialist teams, along with freelancers, resources, and prioritise correctlyand in line with the wider goals of the Wallace Collection.You will need a commitment to change and continued improvement - the post holder will be required to shape this new role as the position and department develops.Responsibilities Loan Registration:Coordinate all Registrar duties for national and international loans out from the Collection. Coordinate the safe packing and transport for loans out from the collection in line with the Wallace Collections Loans Out Policy. Ensure loans out from the Collectionhave sufficient insurance or Indemnity cover in line with our Loans Out Policy and Loan Agreement. Scrutinize and evaluate all borrowers arrangements to ensure they meet the highest standards for national and international lending and our Conditions of Loan.Assess borrowers security arrangements including facility reports, environmental and display conditions and showcases. Responsible for the Registration of Long Loans In. Take responsibility for any Loan Agreement or Loans Out Policy and Procedure updateswhen necessary. Liaise as point person for loans out with the relevant teams at the DCMS, Arts Council England including the National Security Advisor and the Government Indemnity Scheme, where appropriate. Lead on all necessary administration to completethe internal approval process for loans out (the Loan Recommendation and Approval process). Co-chair the Loans Committee meeting and necessary meeting administration including writing and circulating the agenda and visual material, writing and circulatingminutes, collating and writing papers for the Board of Trustees. Working closely with the Directors Office and the Curatorial Department to lead the administration process for acknowledging new requests and initiating and accurately tracking the Loan Recommendationand Approval Process. Complete successful loan negotiation with borrowers on all conditions of loan including estimating and notifying borrowers of costs they will incur including loan fees and conservation and art handling costs. Work to meet best practicein line with our Due Diligence Policy and Immunity from Seizure where appropriate. Work to Known Consignor regulations. Arrange object packing and transport with fine art transport agents. Work to The Spectrum Standard for documentation for loans out fromthe Collection. Assign colleagues as couriers and courier training and guidance to colleagues and act as a courier on occasion when appropriate. Coordinate all packing, transport, insurance/Indemnity and safe storage arrangements for works travelling off-sitefor conservation, research or analysis. Schedule and consult with colleagues in Collection Care and Curatorial on the de-cant and reinstallation of loans out. Liaise with our Photographer and Digital Assets Manager on new photography requirement and/or imagelicensing for loans out. Communicate Loans Out activity to relevant colleagues across the Museum such as Learning, Development, Communications, Events, Security and Gallery Team. Liaise with the Exhibition Department on any Wallace Collection works due fordisplay in the Exhibition Galleries as part of the temporary exhibitions and displays programme.Collection Care: Work with in-house and freelance Conservators to obtain condition reports, fitness to travel reports and treatment proposals. Working closely withthe Curatorial Department, oversee any conservation treatment required to works in readiness for loan. Manage the safe and secure storage arrangements for the Collection, both on and off-site. Be responsible for implementing the documentation procedure forall internal and external object moves using the Collections CMS (Museum+) working closely with the Curatorial Department and Collection Care colleagues. Take overall responsibility for the Collections CMS (Museum+) functionality. Contribute to discussionsand decisions on when to use internal or external art handling resources for object moves and coordinate when allocated. When identified as a priority, audit any documentation and cataloging backlogs. On occasion may be required to support colleagues to overseethe safety of the Collection during events. Proactively stay informed with current policy and emerging guidance across the sector via continued professional development and networks including the UKRG, the Collection Trust, The Museums Association, Head RegistrarsGroup and the IAL). Any other duties that may be reasonably required that are commensurate with the role.Person Specification Knowledge and experience: Degree level qualification in a relevant subject, or equivalent vocational experience. Experience of workingwith Loans Out in a museum or gallery environment. Experience of Museum Standards and relevant sector policy and procedure. Understanding of collection care, object and art handling, and preventative conservation. Experience of working with a CMS. Strong c