Project Manager, Catalogue Raisonne at the Joan Mitchell Foundation

Job Title: Project Manager, Catalogue Raisonne 

Job Status: Full-time

Location: New York, NY

Salary:  $85,000 – $105,000

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 raisonne and related print publication(s). The project manager will be responsible for planning and overseeing the phased completion of the catalogue raisonne, 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 Raisonne 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Duties that occupy a major portion of time and importance in the job)

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 raisonne content and assist in problem-solving, with attention to best practices in the field
  • Oversee current team of two catalogue raisonne 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 raisonne
  • 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

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 applications should submit resume and separate a cover letter inclusive of salary requirements to jobs@joanmitchellfoundation.org.

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.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The Joan Mitchell Foundation cultivates the study and appreciation of artist Joan Mitchell’s life and work, while fulfilling her wish to provide resources and opportunities for visual artists. As the chief steward of Joan Mitchell’s legacy, the Foundation manages a collection of Mitchell’s artwork and archives containing her personal papers, photographs, sketchbooks, and other historical materials. Fulfilling Mitchell’s mandate to “aid and assist” living artists, over the past 30 years the Foundation has evolved a range of initiatives that have directly supported more than 1,200 U.S.-based visual artists at varying stages of their careers. The Joan Mitchell Fellowship gives annual unrestricted awards of $60,000 directly to artists, with funds distributed over a five-year period alongside dedicated and flexible professional development. The New Orleans-based Joan Mitchell Center hosts residencies for national and local artists and presents public programs that encourage dialogue and exchange with the local community. The Creating a Living Legacy (CALL) initiative provides free and essential resources to help artists of all ages organize, document, and manage their artworks and careers. Together, these programs actively engage with working artists as they develop and expand their practices. Learn more at joanmitchellfoundation.org.

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.

Requirements

Qualifications:

  • 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 raisonne 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

Apply via AAM