Manager, Collections & Exhibitions, Visual Resources Center, Dept of Art History, University of Chicago
Full time, salary $58,000- $65,000 (2-year contract)
Job Summary:
The Collections and Exhibitions Manager directly supports faculty and students who work with images and material culture at UChicago. Reporting to the Associate Director, this role ensures that curricular and co-curricular needs for images and materials for teaching and engagement are met, maintains high operational functionality in digitization equipment, and provides critical support for publications and exhibitions. The Manager maintains the VRC’s key activities while providing expertise and support to enhance the experience of faculty, students, staff, and other collaborators. This position is on-site.
Responsibilities:
- Manages the day-to-day operations for the VRC’s digital collections program and the Joel Snyder Materials Collection, including accessioning, digitization, cataloging, stewardship, and delivery to support curricular, co-curricular, and faculty research interests across the arts and humanities. Administers the VRC Camera Lending Program and facilitates VRC Lab appointments for students.
- Provides advanced support for faculty and doctoral research projects, including publications, CWAC exhibitions, and related scholarly initiatives. Develops and produces high-quality graphics, custom images, and other visual materials to support research and teaching. Advises faculty and students on image use, including captioning, alt-text, copyright and fair use, permissions, and image quality standards. Assists with exhibition planning, installation, and fabrication. Delivers technical support and training for relevant software and classroom technologies, including Adobe Photoshop and other imaging tools.
- Works with the Associate Director to train, schedule, and manage student staff, ensuring support across VRC projects. Organizes staff meetings to develop skills. Creates, develops, and maintains training materials and manuals, offering guidance for solving problems.
- Helps develop and deliver custom course instruction sessions, workshops, orientations, and reference guides. Builds and maintains relationships with campus departments and other partners. Communicates the VRC’s projects, exhibitions, resources, collaborations, and services via the VRC’s website and social media outlets.
- Has a moderate/solid understanding on matters relating to a specific library section. Collaborates with senior management to develop guidelines, policies, and procedures.
- Participates in large scale library projects. Consults with management to set goals for the section. Makes decisions that have an impact on controlling costs, planning, and procedural changes.
- Uses depth and breadth of experience in Library services to maintain changes in systems and software that support effective provision of library services. Facilitates communication about changes in policies and procedures to library patrons and staff.
- Plans and executes section communications, which include development and oversight of the section's web site. Represents the section on library or external working groups and committees.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience: 2-5 years of experience in digital image collections in an academic, museum, library, or analogous work environment.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- Working or educational knowledge of digitization best practices, including digital photography, Adobe Photoshop, etc.
- Strong computer skills with the ability to operate a Mac operating system with proficiency in word processing, relational databases such as FileMaker Pro or Access, and presentation applications such as PowerPoint or Keynote.
Preferred Competencies:
- Demonstrated ability to conduct basic research on artists, artworks, movements, etc.
- Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, customer service, and project management skills; set goals, develop projects, solve problems, and meet shifting deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to work well both autonomously and collaboratively in a rapidly changing and dynamic production environment.
- Knowledge of large research institutions, with a preference for familiarity with the University and city of Chicago.
- Proficiency in a range of collections-related workflows or software.
Working Conditions:
- Considerable office work and screen time.
- Lift up to 50 lbs.
- Occasional meetings outside the Cochrane-Woods Art Center but within the greater campus area.
- Light construction (wall hangings, etc); climb a 6’ a-frame ladder to assist with exhibition installations.
- Work evenings and weekends as needed.
For more information, see full listing at https://uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Chicago-IL/Manager--Collections-and-Exhibitions_JR32082
Candidates must submit all application materials (cover letter of interest in this position and resume) to be considered for this position. Application deadline: 11/30/2025