Collections Manager | Houston, TX
Date postedAugust 29, 2025
Space Center Houston is a space exploration learning destination dedicated to revealing how science and humanity power space exploration through meaningful, moving experiences about people and the courage, innovation, and teamwork they use to expand the boundaries of what's possible. We inspire guests of all ages to connect with the significance of space exploration as incredible feats of human spaceflight continue to bring joy and wonder to the world. Owned and operated by the nonprofit Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, we are the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center and a Smithsonian affiliate.
We are seeking a full-time Collections Manager responsible for providing strategic oversight and leadership for the care, documentation, and preservation of Space Center Houston’s collections. This role ensures the highest standards of stewardship, record-keeping, and conservation, aligning collections practices with institutional priorities, professional ethics, and national museum standards. The Collections Manager serves as a key resource across departments, advancing collections initiatives that support exhibitions, research, education, and community engagement. This position requires strong leadership, strategic decision-making, and expertise in collections management, museum registration, and conservation practices. Responsibilities and qualifications shown below:
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of collections management policies, procedures, and workflows to ensure accountability, compliance, and professional standards.
- Oversee accessioning, deaccessioning, and loan programs, ensuring decisions align with institutional priorities, ethical guidelines, and stakeholder agreements.
- Establish priorities for conservation, rehousing, digitization, and collection moves in consultation with senior leadership.
- Direct environmental monitoring, risk management, and disaster preparedness strategies for collections.
- Ensure accuracy, consistency, and integrity of all collection’s records across physical and digital platforms.
- Approve and oversee cataloging, provenance research, condition assessments, and conservation activities carried out by staff, contractors, or consultants.
- Monitor and evaluate reports, incident documentation, and collections data for leadership and board committees.
- Oversee the management of archives, past exhibition records, and institutional documentation.
- Develop and manage the collections care and conservation budget, monitoring expenditures and resource needs.
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate interns, contractors, and volunteers, fostering professional growth and accountability.
- Coordinate and oversee contracts with conservators and service providers, ensuring quality and timely deliverables.
- Collaborate with curatorial, exhibitions, education, and guest operations teams to support integration of collections into exhibitions and programming.
- Serve as the primary collections representative to donors, lenders, committees, and external partners.
- Prepare reports and present recommendations to the Collections Committee and senior leadership.
- Maintain current knowledge of museum standards, legal regulations, and emerging practices in collections care and conservation.
- Represent Space Center Houston at professional conferences, networks, and external forums to enhance institutional visibility and strengthen partnerships.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, history, a related field, or work experience in a similar or related position.
- Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in collections management, with demonstrated leadership in documentation, preservation, and policy development.
- Strong knowledge of museum registration practices, artifact handling, conservation methods, and ethical standards.
- Experience managing budgets, supervising staff or interns, and overseeing contractors.
- Proficiency with collections database systems (Axiell preferred) and Microsoft Office applications; familiarity with project management software (e.g., Asana) a plus.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Experience engaging with donors, lenders, and professional networks.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Ability to climb ladders, stairways, and access spaces with a minimum of 18” clearance.
- Ability to kneel, bend and work at floor level as required.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 35 lbs. independently.
Space Center Houston is an equal opportunity employer. We promote a culture of respect, inclusivity, and collaboration.
Salary Range: $90,000-$98,000/annually
Please apply directly on our Careers website: https://spacecenter.org/about-us/careers/