Organizer Information
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) is one of the world’s most influential cultural institutions, presenting over 5,000 years of Art from global civilizations. Founded in 1870, it operates across two major sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters—and serves millions of physical and digital visitors annually.
The institution is internationally recognized for its encyclopedic collection, curatorial excellence, and leadership in museum practice. The Met is also a major employer in the global museum sector, committed to inclusivity, ethical stewardship, and the advancement of cultural heritage preservation. Its mission extends beyond exhibition-making to include research, conservation, logistics, and international cultural exchange.
Title & Description
Head Registrar Metropolitan Museum of Art (Senior Museum Leadership Role, New York)
Head Registrar – The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) is a senior executive-level Job opportunity responsible for leading the registration, logistics, and collections management infrastructure of one of the largest museum collections in the world.
The role oversees the movement, documentation, and legal compliance of more than 1.5 million artworks spanning five millennia. This includes permanent collections, international loans, exhibitions, acquisitions, and touring programs.
The position plays a critical role in ensuring the safe handling, transportation, and legal compliance of artworks across global institutions, while maintaining The Met’s standards in collections care, risk management, and institutional partnerships.
This is a strategic leadership role combining operational oversight, international negotiation, and museum policy development within a high-volume, global cultural environment.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-time, Senior Leadership Job
- Department: Registrar’s Office
- Reports To: Senior Museum Administration (institutional leadership structure)
- Annual Salary Range: USD $210,000 – $240,000
- Contract Type: Permanent employment
- Work Location: On-site (New York, USA – commuting distance required)
- Visa Sponsorship: Not provided
Position & Tasks
- Lead a team of 30+ professionals across collections, exhibitions, logistics, and risk management
- Oversee all Travel Costs, loans, acquisitions, and exhibition logistics for global artworks
- Manage complex international Exhibition and Collaboration Project operations
- Develop institutional policies related to customs, provenance, and cultural property law
- Supervise insurance, indemnity, and risk management systems
- Negotiate contracts with lenders, insurers, and international partners
- Coordinate outgoing loans and touring exhibitions
- Oversee museum storage systems and long-term collection planning
- Manage departmental budgets and operational planning
- Ensure compliance with international art law and regulations (CITES, OFAC, customs frameworks)
- Represent The Met in global museum networks and strategic partnerships
- Support sustainability initiatives within collections logistics systems
- Contribute to institutional planning at the executive level
Categories
- Art Management
- Curatorial
- Visual Arts
- Culture
- Research
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Architecture (museum systems/collection infrastructure relevance)
Eligibility
- Minimum 15 years of professional experience in museum registration, collections management, or art logistics
- Proven leadership experience managing large institutional teams
- Experience in major museums, auction houses, or international cultural institutions
- Strong knowledge of international art law, customs regulations, and museum standards
- Advanced negotiation, communication, and organizational leadership skills
- Master’s degree preferred (Museum Studies, Museum Administration, or related field)
- Eligibility limited to candidates residing within commuting distance of New York (NY, NJ, CT, PA)
- Visa sponsorship is not available
Program Benefits
- Annual salary: $210,000 – $240,000
- Comprehensive healthcare and insurance package
- Retirement plan with employer matching
- Paid annual leave, sick leave, and 13 holidays
- Professional development funding
- Access to international museum networks
- Staff discounts and cultural institution benefits
- Long-term disability coverage and financial planning services
- High-level executive role within one of the world’s leading museums
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Professional CV / Resume
- Detailed leadership and institutional experience record
- Proof of qualifications (academic and professional)
- Portfolio of relevant museum or institutional work experience (if applicable)
- References from senior cultural sector professionals
- Security Threat Assessment completion (TSA requirement)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 April 2026
- Posting Date: 30+ days before deadline (ongoing recruitment phase)
- Interview Process: Rolling after shortlist selection
- Start Date: Not specified
Location
New York City, United States
Additional Details
This is a high-level executive Job within a globally significant museum infrastructure. The role is central to the operational integrity of The Met’s collection management system, including logistics, conservation coordination, and international loan networks.
The position requires deep expertise in museum governance, legal compliance, and large-scale operational leadership. Candidates will be expected to operate at the executive decision-making level and contribute to institutional strategy, sustainability planning, and global cultural partnerships.
The Met is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and ethical cultural stewardship across all departments.