ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART
Opening in September 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to illustrated storytelling. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F. Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb; and photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The Museum also houses the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career.
Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the Museum is in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Associate Collections Manager will support departmental priorities and assist in overseeing the preservation, organization, accessibility, and safety of the Lucas Museum’s collection in storage. Reporting to the Head of Collections Management, this position requires a confident mastery of safe handling and archival packing methods for a variety of collection material including works on paper, paintings, textiles, and objects. Experience ordering and tracking supplies, managing parallel project schedules, assisting with the creation and maintenance of departmental policies and procedures, and cross-departmental collaboration in a museum environment is required.
The Associate Collections Manager will oversee the work of entry to mid-level collections staff, working closely with the Head of Collections Management to provide training and daily oversight to ensure museum best practices are being followed. This position works closely with the Registration department to support incoming registration, collection inventory, maintenance of the collections database, and more. In addition, this position works alongside Art Preparation and Installation (API) and Exhibition Departments to support exhibition-related projects and workflows.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Collaborates with the Head of Collections Management to develop strategic departmental goals; creates, deploys, and manages strategic plans, responsible for attaining strategic plan objectivesAssists with the creation, implementation, and management of Collections Management departmental policies and procedures including but not limited to storage access protocols, emergency response, environmental monitoring and the pest management program, rehousing guidelines, cross-departmental workorder systems, and moreResponsible for meeting monthly and annual budget standards; ensures equipment and archival supply inventory, meets par stock standards; responsible for establishing and maintaining supply chain vendor standards for quality, cost, and service levelsResponsible for the creation, implementation, and management of training programs for art handling, rehousing techniques, integrated pest management, and environmental monitoring that protect the high value assets of the museumSupervises and oversees the daily activities of Collections Management technicians, interns, and on-call staffPerforms storeroom maintenance and upgrades including constructing shelving, installing earthquake mitigation, cleaning and organization as needed, both on-site at the museum and in off-site museum storageAssists the Senior Director, Museum Services and the Head of Collections Management with long-term art storage related planning, including the inaugural collection move into the museum facilities and future collection movesAssists with the management of department workflows and schedules to meet milestones and goals in collaboration with Collections Technicians, Registrar’s department, API, and outside contractorsCoordinates exhibitions workflows related to costume dressing, mannequins, and supports workflows related to mounts and framing in close collaboration with API and Installation, as assigned Coordinates and oversees viewings of the collection with internal and external stakeholders, as assignedOversees and undertakes collections care processes and maintenance in storage and public/gallery spaces including collection movement, light cleaning, and rehousingCoordinates collection photography, including overseeing incoming requests, hiring external photographers, and coordinating delivery of assets to stakeholders; may be asked to take preliminary photography of collection objects, as assignedCoordinates and tracks day-to-day logistics of onsite and off-site collection movesSpecial projects as designated by Head of Collections Management
CORE COMPETENCIES
Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision.Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible.Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders.Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity.Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely.Building Trust & Relationship ManagementAccountable Ownership and clearly shares information and the "why" behind decisions.Asks for and values the opinions of others. Displays empathy when listening.Acknowledges when trust has been broken and focuses on rebuilding.Relates comfortably with people across levels, functions, cultures, and geographies. Identifies interpersonal and group dynamics and reacts effectively. Accountable OwnershipTakes ownership of outcomes, positive or negative, without blaming others within the team or cross-functionally.Recognizes when they are not approaching a situation with accountability but instead with a blame mindset.Takes accountability for assigned tasks and executes on deliverables in a timely manner.Strategic Alignment & ExecutionContributes to the organization by understanding and aligning actions with the organization's goals, core functions, needs, and values.Seeks out and incorporates multiple perspectives, experiences, and industry trends to develop a holistic perspective. Operationalizes ideas within the business model.Displays critical thinking when faced with a challenge by asking probing questions and looking for connections.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education & ExperienceBachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in art, art history, museum studies, arts administration, or a closely related field is required5-8 years of experience in art handling, collections care, and museum best practices requiredStrong proven experience in leadership roles on teams preferredExperience working with teams preferredSkillsAttention to detail and organizationOpen, collaborative, and proactive communication skills are essentialCreative and flexible problem-solving skillsAptitude for system and process creationKnowledgeExtensive knowledge of art packing, handling and storage techniquesExperience with a variety of mediums and materialsA mastery of museum collections best practices and proceduresAn understanding of basic conservation protocols and parametersFamiliarity with museum management processes is preferredExperience with collections management databases requiredExperience with transport and moving processes required, and background and understanding of rigging preferred.Object photography, photo editing and photography workflow management experience preferredAbilitiesProven flexibility and adaptability in shifting priorities as needed and a project’s priorities changeStrong collaborative spirit for working within a teamProven record of ability to meet deadlines, preferably exhibition and project-based workSelf-motivated and independentAble to integrate into existing projects and timelines that are underwayEnjoys detailed and focused workAble to take ownership for a role and lead problem solving processes with confidenceAbility to manage multiple simultaneous projects and goals while considering finite resources
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.
The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.
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The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to the art of illustrated stories. Our mission is to inspire and connect people through the exploration of visual stories and their influences in society.
VALUES
Our internal and external practices are shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.
People First: We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what they find emotional in works of art.
Inspired: We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.
Collaborative: We believe that nimble thinking and working together yield exponential results.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Narrative Art:
Amplify the social impact of storytelling and illustration.
Community:
Connect to a broad and diverse public.
Operational Excellence:
Create a healthy and durable institution.
All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.
Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).
