Head of Study Room, Yale Center for British Art

Position Focus :

The Yale Center for British Art (YCBA) seeks a Head of Study Room to steward the public operations of the museum’s Study Room, which provides access to its collections of prints, drawings, photographs, rare books, manuscripts, and archives. Reporting to the Deputy Director for Academic Affairs, Education, and Research, the Head of Study Room provides leadership and direction for a broad range of services and programs that support and expand the use of the YCBA’s collections by a wide range of audiences. The Head of Study Room must have knowledge of the medium of paper, inclusive of care, display, handling, housing, storage, and study. The postholder must also have a strong commitment to public service and audience development. The postholder will be responsible for creating a welcoming environment for all audiences and must demonstrate a proven ability to interact effectively and productively with diverse individuals and groups. The postholder will provide vision for activating the Study Room as a dynamic hub for collections research, outreach, and community engagement. The Head of Study Room is encouraged to envision a Study Room that is fully integrated into all of the museum’s functions and that serves both academic and non-academic communities.

The Head of Study Room is responsible for managing remote and in-person reference services and serves as the primary point of contact for inquiries about the YCBA’s archival, drawing, manuscript, photograph, print, and rare book collections, ranging from research requests to class visits. The postholder collaborates with departments across the YCBA to support and promote an active teaching and engagement program, including course-related activities. The Head of Study Room also administers and optimizes technology, such as Aeon and TMS, to enhance Study Room functions, and tracks and reports Study Room statistics. The postholder will also manage the YCBA’s Collections Seminar Room as an extension of the Study Room for small classes and events.

The Head of Study Room manages staff members as they operate the Study Room and fosters a creative, collaborative, and team-oriented work environment. The postholder works with the YCBA’s curators and archivists to prioritize the collections-related work that the Study Room staff will complete, such as cataloging, inventorying, organizing, and rehousing of collections. The Head of Study Room also coordinates the work of Study Room staff in these areas.

Essential Duties

• Reviews and determines staffing needs, job posting requirements, salary guidelines, and labor agreement interpretations for exempt and non-exempt staff in one or more functional department of the University.
• Manages the administrative support needs for exempt and nonexempt staff and provides recommendations, improvements, solutions and assistance as needed.
• Manages and monitors technology needs, conducts inventory, and system requirements for the assigned departments.
• Develops and prepares budgets, financial forecasts, and financial analyses and the actual vs. budgeted performance reports for the departments.
• Manages the use of facilities in one or more departments including office space, work stations, equipment, and office supplies.
• Manages administrative support for activities of one or more departments to ensure timely completion of projects.
• Manages and coordinates training sessions for assigned departments when new policies or practices are adopted.
• Ensures compliance with University and federal regulations as they apply to the assigned departments.
• Identifies, plans, and develops administrative policies for the assigned departments.
• Assists in reviewing and implements University and departmental policies as they pertain to the administrative functions of the assigned department.
• Assesses and makes recommendations regarding staff development and staffing levels.
• Monitors, develops, plans, and executes systematic research on user requirements through such mechanisms as surveys, interviews, focus groups and competitive analysis.
• Manages a staff of exempt and non-exempt employees.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in related field and 5 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Required Skill / Ability 1 :

Proven knowledge of paper-based collections, including care, display, handling, housing, storage, and study.

Required Skill / Ability 2 :

Demonstrated skills supervising staff and managing services. Demonstrated significant background in museum public services.

Required Skill / Ability 3 :

Strong commitment to service and ability to work with a diverse community.

Required Skill / Ability 4 :

Demonstrated ability to identify and analyze problems, especially in the context of technology initiatives. Demonstrated experience with assessment of services.

Required Skill / Ability 5 :

Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively to develop productive partnerships within / across organizations. Effective ability in developing innovative processes and solutions with a team-based approach.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills :

Master’s degree in art history, library science, museum studies, or a related subject is strongly preferred. At least five years working in a museum environment.

Weekend Hours Required?

Occasional

Evening Hours Required?

Occasional

Application Instructions / Public Contact Information

Application Link

Application Deadline

01 / 10 / 2025

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