Project Manager, Catalogue Raisonné

Position Summary

The Joan Mitchell Foundation (JMF) seeks a Project Manager to work closely with an existing New York and Paris-based research team on the production of a digital catalogue raisonné and related print publication(s). The project manager will be responsible for planning and overseeing the phased completion of the catalogue raisonné, a task that requires management, strategic planning, and communication skills as well as prior experience producing scholarly publications within a museum, gallery, or other art publishing context.

The Joan Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné project (JMCR) was established in 2015. Research is well underway with the goal of producing digital and print publications documenting Mitchell’s painted work. Joining a small, dedicated team at a crucial juncture, the Project Manager will be responsible for creating and administering a project plan for preparing research for a publication (or publications) that will be engaging, innovative, scholarly, and accessible. This work will entail establishing short- and long-term deadlines; managing timelines, contracts, and budgets; conferring with lawyers and insurance carriers to safeguard the JMCR and JMF (periodically adjusting legal and insurance policies to adapt to issues as they arise); and administering activities related to the JMCR Review Committee. The Project Manager will oversee the development of a style guide for the JMCR and ensure that consistent standards of data entry and presentation are applied to all research findings.

As research continues to be compiled, verified, and prepared for publication, the Project Manager will be responsible for soliciting, commissioning, and overseeing various external parties (vendors) including, but not limited to, designers, copyeditors, digital platform providers and related tech support, and publishers.

The Project Manager will report to the Executive Director of the Joan Mitchell Foundation and be the primary point person for JMCR operations. They will initially be responsible for overseeing a current team of two researchers plus any additional hires. The Project Manager is expected to work in the office, where the project’s hard-copy files are located, a minimum of two to three days per week. The nature of the below responsibilities will evolve over time depending on project status.

Key Responsibilities Will Include

Strategic Planning

• Lead the JMCR team in establishing a strategy and approach to digital and print publications that involves a wide range of stakeholders outside of the JMCR team
• Work with researchers to define and evaluate the status of current research and prioritize workflow·
• Develop and implement a detailed timeline for the research and publication phases of the project
• Prepare periodic updates to stakeholders including the Board of the Foundation and eventual Review Committee

Management:

• Manage content strategy and development in collaboration with the CR team, Archives, and Communications
• Track completion of catalogue raisonné content and assist in problem-solving, with attention to best practices in the field
• Oversee current team of two catalogue raisonné researchers and responsible for additional hiring of researchers as needed
• Administer Review Committee activities
• Prepare and manage overall budget for the JMCR project as well as annual budgets
• Maintain and update (as needed) the procedure and standards for reviewing paintings for potential inclusion in the catalogue raisonné
• Develop the style guide for the eventual publication; establish consistent standards for data entry and presentation of all research findings
• Work with lawyers and insurance carriers to legally safeguard the JMCR project and JMF; periodically adjust policies to adapt to issues as they arise
• Oversee hiring of contract workers including photographers, designers, and copy editors; negotiate favorable contracts
• Manage approach to auction house inquiries on cataloguing of paintings for upcoming sales

Approach to and build-out of digital and print publications

• Serve as point person for defining the JMCR’s approach to a digital build-out
• Define strategies and protocols for image file management for both digital and print formats
• Oversee the finalization of catalogue entries and copy edit JMCR content in preparation for publication
• Digital: With team members input, identify the platform to be used for digital component of CR (custom-built or vendor)
• Print: The Project Manager will identify potential publishers and manage the relationship between the publisher and the JMCR

Communications/Outreach:

• Oversee and manage responses to inquiries from the field
• Collaborate with JMF Communications team to develop a JMCR launch campaign and ongoing outreach strategy

Admin:

• Oversee admin support
• Support research and legacy work of the Foundation to ensure a collaborative work approach and clear workflow between teams around research and data updates

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skill Required

• Prior experience producing scholarly publications or websites (ideally digital cataloguing) in a museum, gallery, or art publishing house context
• Enthusiasm for and knowledge of digital projects and desire to build an innovative scholarly publication
• Familiarity with current catalogue raisonné best practices
• Excellent editorial, organizational, and communication skills
• Demonstrated project management experience and proficiency with organizing and prioritizing workflow
• Experience managing teams
• High level of proficiency with relational databases
• Alignment with the Joan Mitchell Foundation’s organizational values
• Knowledgeable about or interested in the work of Joan Mitchell
• Ability to manage detail-oriented work while also maintaining big-picture planning
• Experience protecting confidential information and acting with discretion
• Collaborative and proactive spirit

Covid protocols will be shared with candidates during the interview process.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual compensation: $85,000 - $105,000 (hiring range)
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance
• 401k + Employer match
• Generous PTO, Sick and Floating Holidays
• Commuter benefits (parking and mass transit)
• Pet insurance, group accident insurance, MetLife Auto and Home Insurance, Legal Insurance
• Behavioral Health Employee Assistance Program

Note: The salary range is based on the Foundation’s approach and commitment to providing competitive and equitable compensation. The range shared is a guideline for the salary offered, which will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, special licensing or qualifications, unique skillsets, and other factors which will impact their contribution to the role and Foundation as a whole. In addition, the Foundation completes regular compensation analysis which aligns with our equitable compensation philosophy.

Application / Interview Process

All applicants should submit a resumé and a separate cover letter inclusive of salary requirements to [email protected].

As a part of our interview process, selected candidates will meet with prospective peers, leaders, and stakeholders who you will maintain ongoing touchpoints with. All offers of employment are subject to successful completion of reference and background checks. By submitting your resume for this role, you are affirming your submission is true and accurate as well as understand our recruiting process and the benefits offered by the Foundation.

Accommodations

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY / REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The Joan Mitchell Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to equity and inclusion in our organizational culture and our hiring practices. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Foundation believes that commitment to principles of fairness and respect for all help create a climate that is favorable to the free and open exchange of ideas.

The Foundation proactively seeks to reach out as widely as possible in order to attract the best candidates to join the team. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply even if not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications. Employment decisions are made based on an individual’s qualifications to contribute to meeting the Foundation’s objectives and its organizational needs. This description and potential offer shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment as the Foundation recognizes employment is at will.

Although the above statements are robust and intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) hired into to this role, they are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. The Foundation reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, the Foundation will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals in all aspects of the employment process. If accommodations are needed for the role, they can be submitted to [email protected].

About Joan Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné

The Joan Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné project was established in 2015 in order to research Joan Mitchell’s paintings and to result in the eventual publication of a catalogue raisonné. This long-term research project will result in a scholarly publication documenting all of the artist’s painted work.

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