Job Listing: Collections Manager (The George Washington Foundation - Fredericksburg, VA)

Job Title: Collections Manager
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Institution: The George Washington Foundation
Department: Curatorial
Reports To: Director, Curatorial Operations
Hiring Range: mid/upper-$40,000s annually plus benefits, commensurate with experience

Position Summary:
The George Washington Foundation (Historic Kenmore and George Washington’s Ferry Farm) seeks a Collections Manager to oversee the stewardship of its historic collections. This role is central to ensuring the long-term preservation, documentation, and accessibility of the museum’s holdings, which include furniture, fine and decorative arts, archival materials, photographs, library collections, and personal artifacts. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in hands-on collections care, environmental controls and monitoring, disaster preparedness, and database management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and update the museum’s collections database, ensuring accurate records of provenance, condition, and location.
• Participate in institutional efforts to make the GWF collections more accessible through photography, transcription, and metadata management in an ongoing digitization process.
• Implement and oversee environmental monitoring, deep cleaning, and pest management for exhibit and storage spaces.
• Develop and maintain disaster preparedness and response plans for collections; serve as a leading member of staff disaster plan team.
• Conduct regular condition assessments and inventory efforts.
• Ensure proper storage, handling, and movement of objects within the museum and during exhibitions or loans.
• Collaborate with curatorial and education staff to support exhibitions and public programs.
• Supervise interns and volunteers assisting with collections projects.
• Assist with acquisitions, deaccessions, and loan processing in accordance with institutional policies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, History, Art History, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in collections management, preferably in a historic site or museum setting.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficiency in collections management software (e.g., PastPerfect, TMS, or similar).
• Experience with environmental monitoring systems and integrated pest management.
• Familiarity with disaster planning and emergency response for cultural institutions.
• Knowledge of preventative care for a variety of collections.
• Experience developing and implementing collections policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and present collections-related information to diverse audiences.

Physical Demands:

The Collections Manager must be physically able to lift and move objects up to 40 lbs and work in varying environmental conditions. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To Apply:
Please submit a letter of interest and resume to pendleton@gwffoundation.org with subject line Collections Manager. Applications will be acknowledged starting on Friday, September 5, 2025, and will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The George Washington Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin in the hiring, retention, or promotion of employees.