Head Preparator

Position Summary

The Head Preparator oversees exhibition preparation, installation, art handling, safe storage, and gallery maintenance for both temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection. This role leads the preparation team and works collaboratively with registrars, curators, conservators, the exhibition manager, designers, facilities, security, visiting museum professionals, and external vendors to ensure artworks are installed, maintained, and presented according to professional museum standards.

The Head Preparator serves as the primary technical decision-maker for exhibition installation methods, materials, and workflows, exercising professional judgment and escalating decisions only when required by institutional policy, budgetary constraints, or conservation considerations. The position provides hands‑on technical expertise while guiding workflows, schedules, and priorities across multiple projects and plays a critical role in translating curatorial and design concepts into safe, practical, and visually compelling exhibitions.

Department: Collections & Exhibitions

Reports To: Registrar Position

Position Type: Full‑Time, Exempt

Salary Range: $60,000 – $65,000

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Oversight

• Lead, supervise, and support preparators, technicians, and contracted crews.
• Assign, prioritize, and sequence work to meet exhibition schedules and institutional deadlines.
• Support hiring, training, evaluation, and performance management of preparation staff.
• Promote safe work practices, professional growth, and a collaborative, respectful team culture.
• Document workflows, technical solutions, and installation strategies to support continuity, training, and institutional knowledge retention during staff transitions.

Exhibition Installation & Art Handling

• Oversee and participate in the installation and de‑installation of artworks for temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection.
• Direct the fabrication and installation of mounts, armatures, casework, platforms, pedestals, and other exhibition furniture.
• Ensure all handling, movement, and installation of artworks follow established museum standards and conservation best practices.
• Collaborate with conservators to assess installation risks, mounting strategies, and environmental considerations for sensitive or complex artworks.
• Train staff in proper art‑handling techniques, emphasizing care, precision, and respect for artworks.

Project Planning & Coordination

• Serve as the primary technical decision‑maker for exhibition installation methods, materials, and workflows, escalating only when required by policy, budget, or conservation concerns.
• Develop and manage installation schedules in coordination with registrars, curators, conservators, designers, and the exhibition manager.
• Provide technical input on feasibility, materials, methods, and costs during exhibition planning and design development.
• Track installation‑related expenses and support project work within approved budgets.
• Comfortably work with digital documentation systems for tracking installations, equipment, and art movement (e.g., shared drives, databases, TMS), in collaboration with registrars and collections staff.

Gallery & Collection Care

• Supervise routine gallery maintenance, including cleaning, lighting adjustments, label installation, and safety checks.
• Collaborate with registrars to support orderly art storage, access, and equipment upkeep.
• Assist with documentation related to installations, storage locations, and art movement.

Packing, Crating & Art Movement

• Oversee and assist with packing, unpacking, crating, shipping, receiving, and local or regional transport of artworks.
• Ensure compliance with loan agreements, condition reporting protocols, and courier requirements.
• Occasionally assist with art transport or serve as a courier as needed.

Workshop, Materials & Equipment Management

• Maintain oversight of the preparator workshop, tools, machinery, and equipment.
• Monitor inventory of packing, crating, and installation materials and coordinate purchases, repairs, or fabrication needs.
• Ensure safe use of tools, lifts, and equipment in accordance with museum policies and…