Assistant Head Preparator, Collections

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. We cannot imagine life without art; it inspires and connects us every day. Now more than ever, these connections matter and are aligned with our values.

Inclusive: We strive to be a museum of many voices in dialogue.  

Passionate: We believe working with art is more than a job or trusteeship - it's a way of life.  

Brave: We are committed to approaching our work with courage and a sense of adventure, always ready to explore new perspectives.

Empathic: We aim to act like a person, not an institution. 

SFMOMA is a place for the infinitely curious to explore, support, and experience the art of our time. We believe that modern and contemporary art can influence the way we think, view the world, and embrace the many voices and perspectives around us. We aspire to foster an environment that elicits joy, nurtures a sense of belonging and purpose—where difference is seen as a strength, and every one is appreciated for their whole self.

Schedule: Full Time, 35 hours/week, fully onsite

The Collections Management Department provides collections care and access to SFMOMA’s art collections, ensuring the safe handling and storage of artwork, and maintenance of our art storage spaces including the Collections Center, SFMOMA’s dynamic research and storage center. The department is also responsible for preparing, installing, activating, and maintaining art – both borrowed and collection works – for the museum's robust exhibition program.   

Reporting to the Head Preparator, the Assistant Head Preparator, Collections, co-manages a large team of expert preparators and related projects, in alignment with the museum’s strategic priorities and goals of the Collections Management department and the Collections, Exhibitions, and Design (CED) division. The Assistant Head Preparator, Collections works closely with Head Preparator and Assistant Head Preparator, Installation to plan and support the orchestration of art handling, movement, housing, packing/unpacking, and installation/deinstallation in accordance with the museum’s standards, policies, and procedures for caring for, managing, and exhibiting modern and contemporary art. They work closely with other Collections Management colleagues and the Registration, Curatorial, Conservation, and Exhibitions and Program Management departments to ensure that art handling resources are planned and available for all of the museum’s art program needs. The Assistant Head Preparator, Collections assists in the oversight of art preparation operations, with direct management of members of the Preparator Team based at the Collections Center. 

Within the first month, the Assistant Head Preparator will have become familiar with the preparator team and the activities the team is responsible for, as well as introduced to our purchasing systems for materials, collections care and access processes, and roles and responsibilities of the departments Collections Management partners with, to be able to answer questions and source information for the preparator team and make appropriate preparator assignments. Within the first year the candidate will proactively further their institutional understanding, evaluation of preparator team skills and abilities, and become a positive contributor to the successful completion of collection and exhibition based projects. 

• Team Leadership 
• Hire, onboard, manage, and lead a diverse and inclusive art handling team, building a sense of belonging and shared responsibility. 
• Act as a partner with the Director of Collections Management and department leadership in sustaining a collections management community where all team members have a productive and safe forum to share ideas, best practices, and learning, so they have a deeper sense of responsibility and contribution to collections care and audience engagement. 
• Based at the Collections Center, and able to be present at 151 Third Street and other work sites as needed to support preparator teams primarily in person.  
• Model highly collaborative modes of operating through open communication with staff and respect for the diverse expertise essential to an art museum.  
• Maintain awareness of overall departmental and Collections, Exhibition, and Design division activity and goals. Serve as a communicator of departmental and institutional goals and professional standards internally and externally.  
• Create and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, recognizing conflict and working towards positive resolution.  
• Share in developing and delivering ongoing training and professional development in collections management and art handling.  
• Demonstrate the ability to coach and influence others, communicate clearly, focus on explaining positive benefits, change practice and behavior, and share information and responsibility.  
• Participate in and lead seminars and workshops to keep abreast of best practices in the field as well as developing new skills to share within the department and with interdivisional partners. 

• Art Preparation and Collections Care 
• Manage the preparators based at the Collections Center and coordinate preparator support for collections based projects and initiatives such as inventories, imaging, our accessions and loans out programs, and collections housing. Collaborate with the Head Preparator and Assistant Head Preparator, Installation on planning, prioritizing, and scheduling work such as generating and distributing weekly/daily schedules with anticipated goals; assessing resource needs and make adjustments as required. Position is the primary Preparator Team contact for addressing emergent needs at the Collections Center. 
• Ensure the consistent application of the museum’s standards, policies, and procedures for art preparation, handling, rehousing, storage, installation/deinstallation, and transit. Draft and contribute to additional policies and procedures as needed to ensure alignment with contemporary museum standards and SFMOMA strategies. 
• Work with the Fabrication and Construction Manager to ensure proper training in proficient use of construction lifts (forklifts and scissor lifts) and woodshop equipment including portable and stationary power tools. Responsible for ensuring compliance with all safety protocols.  
• Support preparators in documenting installations/deinstallations, packing and other activities 
• Supervise art handling activities such as the installation and/or deinstallation of art on display, and may be asked to assist with physical preparator work occasionally.  
• Administration 
• Responsible for the assignment, tracking, and reassignment of tasks/work/projects of Preparators based at the Collections Center in South San Francisco. 
• Assist with material research and support ordering for exhibitions and collections projects. Track purchases, invoice processing, and related budget as needed. 
• Coordinate and facilitate team and project meetings as called for. 
• Act as Head Preparator when the Head Preparator is otherwise occupied. 

Job posting open date: 1/30/25

All jobs posted will remain open for at least five business days.    

We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within the initial open posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond that initial period. Applications will not be accepted after a posting has been closed. 

Location: San Francisco, 151 3rd Street. 

Benefits: PTO, Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, Pet Insurance, Life and AD&D Coverage, Disability Insurance, Mental Health and Wellness Benefits, Discount Programs, Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits, 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, SFMOMA Membership, and more

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

SFMOMA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. No person shall be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, genetic information, ancestry/national origin, marital status, disability, medical condition, HIV status, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, and any other category protected by federal of state law.

You may request reasonable accommodation if you are unable to or are limited in your ability to access job postings or provide additional information asked in the job posting.

You can request reasonable accommodation by contacting the People Team at talent@sfmoma.org.