Head Archivist

ABOUT THE MUSEO DE ARTE DE PONCEThrough access to its exceptional collection of American, European and Puerto Rican art, and art-based experiences, the Museo de Arte de Ponce promotes discovery, stimulates curiosity, and fosters dialogue to enhance the life of its community. It was founded by Luis A. Ferré (1904-2003), a Puerto Rican philanthropist, industrialist and governor of Puerto Rico, who began buying works of art for the Museum by first establishing The Luis A. Ferré Foundation, in 1957.The Museum opened its doors to the public on January 3, 1959, in a colonial house in Ponce, Puerto Rico. In 1965, the building that is home today to the Museum was designed by the renowned U.S. architect Edward Durell Stone. An Annex Building was added in 2010 to expand its facilities and services to the community. The collection of the Museum consists of close to 5,000 works of art and is renowned for its great examples of Baroque, Pre-Raphaelite and Victorian paintings as well as Puerto Rican and Latin American art.Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1987, the Museo de Arte de Ponce has become an essential institution for the educational development and social transformation of our communities.
POSITION OVERVIEWThe Head Archivist provides strategic leadership for the Luis A. Ferré Archive, overseeing the acquisition, preservation, documentation, accessibility, and interpretation of archival collections. This position is responsible for ensuring that the Archive serves as a dynamic resource that supports research, exhibitions, institutional initiatives, and community engagement efforts.As the Museum reopens its main building and expands public programming, the Head Archivist plays a key role in increasing access to archival collections, developing initiatives that connect diverse audiences with the Museum’s history and collections, and creating meaningful engagement opportunities for children, families, students, researchers, and the general public.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSThe Head Archivist is a full-time, exempt position, with an annual salary range of $60,000 to $70,000. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications.Benefits offered may differ based on employee status:Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage begins on the first day of the month following the hire date; Museum covers 90% of the premiumPaid time off, including (annually): 15 days of vacation, 12 sick days, birthday off, funeral leave and 13 holidaysShort-term disability insuranceChristmas bonus10% staff discount in Museum ShopPaid memberships for professional associationsFree parking spaceOther benefits may apply
PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIESDevelop and implement policies for archival preservation, cataloging, and digitization of collections.Evaluate and manage the acquisition of materials aligned with the Museum's mission and collecting priorities.Supervise Archive staff, interns, and volunteers, and develop annual work plans.Provide reference and research services to scholars, curators, donors, and the public.Collaborate with Curatorial, Education, Marketing, and Development teams on exhibitions, publications, and institutional programs.Design and implement community and educational programs (workshops, oral history, family activities) to promote public access to collections.Identify grant opportunities and strategic partnerships to support archival projects.Contribute to institutional strategic planning around collections, research, and public engagement.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIESThorough knowledge of archival principles, standards, preservation practices, and collections management.Knowledge of digitization workflows, digital asset management, and archival technologies.Understanding of museum operations and the role of archives in supporting exhibitions, education, and public programming.Ability to develop and implement community engagement and educational initiatives.Excellent research, analytical, organizational, and project management skills.Ability to supervise staff and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build partnerships and engage diverse audiences.Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish.Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collections management/database systems.Knowledge of the cultural, artistic, and historical heritage of Puerto Rico and its relationship to broader regional and international contexts.
REQUIREMENTSBachelor’s degree in History, Art History, Library Science, Information Science, Museum Studies, Archival Studies, or a related field. A Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, Museum Studies, Public History, or a related discipline is strongly preferred.Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in archives, special collections, museums, libraries, or cultural institutions, including experience in collections management, public access, research services, and project management.Experience developing educational, interpretive, or community engagement initiatives is highly desirable.Experience in grant writing, fundraising, and managing externally funded projects is preferred.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU APPLYThe Museum’s main building, designed by Edward Durell Stone, suffered damages caused by a 6.4 earthquake in January 2020 that forced its ongoing closure. The Museum is entering an exciting new phase as it began a comprehensive seismic retrofit, with a projected reopening in 2028. This is part of a broader effort to rebuild Ponce following the earthquake. While the museum remains active through satellite programming and community initiatives, candidates should be aware of this 2-year reconstruction process.
APPLICATION PROCEDUREPlease submit a cover letter and your resume. Documentation should be saved as a single document and sent to: [email protected] Only qualified candidates will be interviewed. Please reference Head Archivist position opening. EEO EMPLOYER