COLLECTION CURATOR & ASSET ARCHIVIST (UHNWI PRINCIPAL)

USA with extensive Global travel

Job Reference: HU4413

Salary: $150,000–$200,000

Responsible for the end-to-end management of the principal’s collectible assets, including documentation, preservation, acquisitions, and selective disposal, delivered to institutional standards with full oversight and control.

Core Responsibilities

1.         Inventory Creation & Management

·       Build and maintain a centralized digital registry of all collectible assets

·       Catalogue across watches, fine art, sculpture, and related categories

·       Maintain standardized metadata, including:

o   Provenance

o   Purchase details and valuation history

o   Condition reports

o   Location and movement logs

o   Conduct periodic physical audits

2. Documentation & Archiving

·       Travel across residences, storage facilities, and galleries

·       Produce museum-grade photography and visual records

·       Digitize certificates, appraisals, and historical documentation

·       Maintain a structured and accessible archive

3. Database Development & Control

·       Design and manage a secure, searchable asset database

·       Implement tagging, categorization, and reporting functionality

·       Integrate insurance, valuation, and transaction data

·       Ensure data integrity, redundancy, and strict access control

4. Condition Monitoring & Preservation

·       Conduct routine condition assessments

·       Coordinate conservation, restoration, and specialist interventions

·       Oversee storage, handling, and environmental standards

5. Market Intelligence & Acquisition Support

·       Monitor auction houses, galleries, and private markets

·       Track inventory across Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Phillips, and key dealers

·       Identify assets aligned with the principal’s collecting strategy

·       Prepare concise acquisition briefs covering:

o   Historical context

o   Provenance

o   Comparable market data

o   Pricing guidance and bidding strategy

6. Disposal & Sales Execution

·       Identify assets for strategic divestment

·       Manage the full sales process, including:

o   Timing and positioning strategy

o   Auction house/vendor selection

o   Fee and guarantee negotiation

o   Oversight of cataloguing and marketing

o   Optimise outcomes across value, positioning, and discretion

7. Logistics & Movement Tracking

·       Oversee movement of assets across locations, storage, and exhibitions

·       Coordinate shipping, installation, and security

·       Maintain full chain of custody records

8. Stakeholder Management

·       Act as primary point of contact for auction houses, galleries, advisors, insurers, and storage providers

·       Lead due diligence and execution across acquisitions and disposals

Success Metrics

·       Complete, accurate, audit-ready inventory across all assets

·       Demonstrable value creation through acquisitions and disposals

·       High-quality, actionable market intelligence delivered proactively

·       Zero asset loss, mismanagement, or documentation gaps

·       Efficient execution with leading market counterparties

Candidate Profile

·       Proven experience managing high-value private collections or within major institutions

·       Academic background in art history, collections management, or a related field

·       Strong network across auction houses, galleries, and dealers

·       Commercial acumen, including buying and selling experience

·       Exceptional attention to detail and organisational capability

·       Ability to build structured systems from the ground up

·       Absolute discretion and a highly execution-focused mindset 

Full-time position. Compensation in the range of $150,000–$200,000, depending on experience. Travel expenses are fully covered. (HU4413)