Organizer Information
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest and most influential institutions dedicated to modern and contemporary art in the United States. Located in San Francisco, it functions both as a major public museum and as an international hub for curatorial research, exhibition-making, and collections stewardship. The institution holds a significant collection of twentieth- and twenty-first-century artworks and is known for its commitment to expanding public access to contemporary artistic discourse.
SFMOMA positions itself around four core institutional values—being inclusive, passionate, brave, and empathic—emphasizing dialogue across diverse voices and a museum culture grounded in accessibility and engagement. Its programming spans exhibitions, acquisitions, public programs, and research initiatives that connect artists, institutions, and audiences locally and globally. The museum also operates as a complex administrative and logistical organization, requiring highly specialized roles to support exhibition production, conservation, and collections management.
Title & Description
Associate Registrar, Exhibitions – Collections, Exhibitions, and Design Division (CED)
This opportunity is a full-time, on-site professional position focused on the planning, coordination, and execution of exhibition-related registration activities at SFMOMA. The Associate Registrar, Exhibitions plays a central operational and leadership role in managing the movement, documentation, insurance, condition reporting, and logistical coordination of artworks included in temporary, permanent, and touring exhibitions.
The role is designed for an experienced museum professional who can independently manage complex workflows related to modern and contemporary artworks, including high-value loans, international shipments, conservation coordination, and inter-institutional collaboration. It also contributes to shaping institutional standards for exhibition logistics and registration methodology.
The position sits at the intersection of curatorial production, collections care, legal compliance, and logistical coordination, ensuring artworks are safely transported, documented, insured, and installed according to museum standards.
The Role Overview
- Employment type: Full-time
- Schedule: 35 hours per week
- Work model: Fully on-site
- Reporting to: Director of Registration
- Union status: Union position (subject to Collective Bargaining Agreement)
- Salary range: $36.94 – $44.32 per hour (starting at $36.94/hour)
- Department: Registration, CED Division
The role functions as a lead-level registrar for assigned exhibitions and involves representing the museum in professional and institutional contexts nationally and internationally.
Position & Tasks
- Leading registration planning and execution for exhibitions and touring projects
- Managing loan agreements, insurance certificates, and contractual documentation
- Coordinating shipping, packing, crating, and handling of artworks
- Overseeing condition reporting, conservation coordination, and risk assessment
- Managing courier arrangements and inter-institutional communications
- Supporting installation and deinstallation processes in galleries and storage spaces
- Maintaining exhibition records, databases, and SOP documentation
- Budget tracking, invoice processing, and insurance management
- Supervising and mentoring junior registration staff
- Collaborating with curatorial, conservation, security, operations, and visitor experience teams
- Participating in inventories, audits, and collections management workflows
- Ensuring compliance with museum legal and ethical standards
The role requires independent decision-making, project leadership, and high-level coordination across multiple departments and external partners such as artists, galleries, estates, and international institutions.
Categories
- Museum Studies
- Collections Management
- Exhibition Registration
- Visual Art (Modern & Contemporary Art)
- Curatorial Production Support
- Cultural Heritage Logistics
- Arts Administration
Eligibility
- Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or related field
- At least 4 years of professional registration experience in a museum or comparable institution
- Proven experience with exhibition logistics, including international shipping and touring exhibitions
- Strong knowledge of modern and contemporary art practices
- Familiarity with conservation principles and museum ethics
Preferred competencies include:
- Project management expertise
- Experience with collections management systems and digital asset tools
- Ability to work across multicultural, international institutional networks
- Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability
The opportunity is open to qualified candidates regardless of background, with emphasis on professional experience and institutional readiness rather than geographic restriction.
Program Benefits
- Competitive hourly salary ($36.94–$44.32/hour)
- Full-time employment with union protections
- Health coverage (medical, dental, vision)
- Retirement savings plan (403b)
- Paid time off and flexible spending accounts
- Mental health and wellness benefits
- Commuter and discount programs
- Museum membership and employee benefits
- Professional development through institutional networks and training
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Professional CV or résumé
- Cover letter outlining relevant registration experience
- Portfolio or documentation of exhibition-related projects (if applicable)
- References (professional)
- Online application submission through the museum’s recruitment system
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Job posting opened: April 29, 2026
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Location
San Francisco, California, United States
Additional Details
This is a high-responsibility museum operations role requiring precision, risk management capability, and strong interdepartmental collaboration. The position emphasizes inclusive workplace culture, professional development, and institutional accountability.
SFMOMA explicitly encourages applicants from diverse professional and personal backgrounds and does not require candidates to meet every listed qualification. The institution also complies with fair chance hiring regulations and is committed to providing accessibility accommodations for applicants.