Director of History & Collections

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Director of History & Collections

Reporting Relationship: Executive Director

Exemption Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Positions Supervised: Curator of Exhibits, Curator of Archaeology, Collections Assistants, Interns, Volunteers, Student Workers

Compensation: $65,520/ year

Position Summary

The Director of History & Collections provides strategic, administrative, and curatorial leadership for the Museums of Western Colorado’s historical collections and related interpretive initiatives. As a member of the senior leadership team, this position oversees the History & Collections Division, directing the care, development, interpretation, and ethical stewardship of the museum’s historical holdings in alignment with American Alliance of Museums (AAM) standards.

The Director leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for collections management, exhibitions, research, and public engagement. This role shapes multi-year exhibition calendars, guides acquisitions and deaccessioning, manages departmental budgets, and ensures that MWC’s historical collections remain accessible, relevant, and reflective of the diverse histories of Western Colorado and the Colorado Plateau.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Department Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Provide strategic direction for the History & Collections Division, including long-range planning for collections care, exhibitions, research priorities, and public engagement.
• Serve on the senior leadership team, contributing to institutional strategy, accreditation preparation, and mission-driven initiatives.
• Develop and manage the division’s annual budget, including staffing, collections care, exhibitions, and special projects.
• Supervise and mentor curatorial and collections staff, including the Curator of Exhibits, Curator of Archaeology, and Collections Assistants.
• Provide strategic, administrative, and supervisory oversight while supporting mid-level curators’ technical and subject-matter leadership within their assigned collections areas of expertise.
• Establish departmental goals, workflows, and performance expectations; conduct annual evaluations and support professional development.
• Lead cross-departmental collaboration with Education, Communications, Development, and Facilities to ensure cohesive institutional planning and project execution.

Collections Stewardship & Preservation

• Oversee physical and intellectual control of historical collections, including artifacts, archival materials, photographs, ephemera, and the Research Library collection. 
• Ensure proper cataloging, accessioning, deaccessioning, and documentation in accordance with AAM standards, legal requirements, and ethical guidelines. 
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records in the collections database; oversee metadata standards, digitization workflows, and digital asset management.
• Conduct or supervise condition assessments; coordinate conservation treatments and ensure appropriate environmental, storage, and security conditions.
• Manage incoming and outgoing loans, gifts, transfers, and related documentation. 
• Oversee researcher access, staff requests, and public inquiries related to historical collections.
• Lead development, implementation, and regular review of the Collections Management Policy and emergency preparedness procedures.

Exhibitions & Interpretation

• Provide conceptual and curatorial leadership for history exhibitions, ensuring scholarly rigor, community relevance, and inclusive storytelling.
• Collaborate closely with the Curator of Exhibits on exhibition design, layout, interpretive strategy, fabrication, and installation.
• Develop interpretive texts, labels, gallery guides, and digital content that communicate complex historical topics to diverse audiences.
• Partner with Communications staff on marketing, public relations, and storytelling initiatives.
• Oversee traveling exhibitions, guest curators, and inter-institutional collaborations. 

Research & Scholarship

• Conduct original research on MWC’s historical collections and regional history topics. 
• Publish findings through museum publications, academic journals, conference presentations, and public programs.
• Respond to scholarly and public research inquiries; provide authoritative information on collection holdings.
• Maintain active engagement with professional networks, scholars, descendant communities, and community historians.

Public Engagement & Programs

• Develop and deliver lectures, tours, workshops, and community programs that deepen public understanding of Western Colorado history.
• Collaborate with Education staff on curriculum development, interpretive materials, and outreach initiatives. 
• Represent MWC at community events, professional conferences, and civic gatherings. 
• Manage agreements and collaborative projects with partner institutions, including the Mesa County Historical Society, Mesa County Libraries, and the Mesa County Genealogical Society.

Policy, Compliance & Administration

• Lead development and implementation of collections policies, procedures, and preservation plans.
• Chair the Collections Committee and provide recommendations to the Executive Director and Board regarding acquisitions, deaccessions, and collections priorities. 
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to historical collections, including working with NAGPRA where applicable with the Curator of Archaeology.
• Assist with grant writing, reporting, and budget development for collections and exhibition projects.
• Prioritize collections projects related to reaccreditation and strategic planning. 

Acquisition & Collection Development

• Establish and implement a long-range collections plan aligned with institutional mission and strategic priorities.
• Identify opportunities to expand the historical collection through strategic acquisitions, fieldwork, and community partnerships.
• Conduct provenance research, authenticate materials, and evaluate potential acquisitions.
• Identify out-of-scope materials and make recommendations for deaccessioning. 

Organizational Expectations

Demonstrates a commitment to the Museums of Western Colorado's communication values as guided by the Four Agreements:

• Be impeccable with your word.
• Don't take anything personally.
• Don't make assumptions.
• Always do your best.

Applies these principles in interactions with colleagues, volunteers, members, visitors, and community partners to foster a respectful, collaborative, and solution-oriented workplace.

• Participates in all-staff meetings, department meetings, and cross-department coordination activities as assigned or appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of museum operations and organizational goals.

Qualifications 

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in History, Public History, Museum Studies, Anthropology, or a related field required. 
• Master’s degree preferred, especially with specialization in Western U.S. history, cultural heritage, or museum studies. 

Experience 

• Minimum 5 years of museum experience in collections management, curatorial work, or historical interpretation; 
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience 
• Demonstrated experience developing exhibitions and writing interpretive content. 
• Experience with collections databases, digitization workflows, and metadata standards. 
• Familiarity with preservation, conservation, and legal/ethical guidelines for historical materials. 
• Experience working with diverse communities and integrating inclusive historical narratives. 

Skills 

• Strong knowledge of historical research methods, material culture, and museum collections systems. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to translate complex topics for general audiences. 
• Proficiency in digital archiving tools, collections management software, and photography of collections. 
• Strong project management skills; ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• Collaborative mindset with ability to work across departments and with external partners. 

Personal Attributes 

• Passion for history, cultural heritage, and community-centered storytelling. 
• Detail-oriented, organized, and committed to high standards of collections care. 
• Values diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in historical interpretation and museum practice.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. 

Working Conditions

• Primarily indoor museum environment; occasional work in storage areas or off-site locations. 
• Requires ability to lift up to 40–50 lbs, climb ladders, and handle fragile objects safely. 
• Flexible schedule including occasional evenings, weekends, and special events. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

MWC provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.