The Russian History Museum is hiring a full-time Curator of Collections in Jordanville, New York. This museum curator position offers an exciting opportunity to lead collections management, exhibitions, acquisitions, preservation, scholarly research, and museum interpretation at a growing institution dedicated to Russian history and culture. Ideal candidates may come from academic, museum, archive, library, history, or cultural heritage backgrounds.

The Curator of Collections Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Curator of Collections to steward, interpret, and grow the museum’s collections. In this role, you will shape the Russian History Museum’s collections strategy, advance original research, and bring the stories within the collection to life for a wide and engaged audience.

Our collection is the lifeblood of the Russian History Museum (RHM), fueling exhibitions, scholarship, and public programs. As the museum builds on its growing national and international profile, the Curator of Collections will play a defining role in guiding how these holdings are preserved, developed, studied, and shared.

As Curator of Collections, you will lead the care, organization, research, and intellectual use of the collection, ensuring it is accessible and meaningful to staff, researchers, and visitors alike. Your responsibilities will include overseeing cataloging and collections management, conducting and supporting research on the museum’s holdings, and playing a leading role in exhibition development and implementation. You will also guide acquisitions and collections development, support preservation initiatives, and help cultivate the resources that sustain this work.

Working closely with a small, passionate team, you will also contribute to educational initiatives and public programming, translating scholarly research into compelling experiences for audiences onsite and online.

This role offers a unique opportunity to take meaningful ownership of collections work at an institution with a strong sense of purpose and momentum. We look forward to welcoming a colleague who brings intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a collaborative spirit, and who is eager to help strengthen RHM’s impact as a center for research, education, and cultural engagement.

Why RHM?

The Russian History Museum (RHM) offers an exceptional opportunity to work closely with an extraordinary and growing collection dedicated to the history and culture of Russia and the Russian émigré experience. With approximately 4,000 artifacts, 450 linear feet of archival material, and a library of more than 50,000 cataloged volumes, RHM provides a rich environment for hands-on research, discovery, and interpretation.

Located on the historic grounds of Holy Trinity Monastery, the museum is both a place of scholarship and a living cultural center. With a growing audience and an expanding schedule of exhibitions, online programs, and international partnerships – such as loans to leading museums in Germany, Russia, and the UK – RHM is in an exciting period of development. The museum is committed to making its collections accessible, engaging, and relevant to a broad public, from scholars and specialists to families and first-time visitors.

Working at RHM means being part of a small, dedicated team committed to preserving, studying, and sharing the stories embedded in the collection. Staff members collaborate closely across roles, contributing ideas and expertise to exhibitions, programs, and institutional initiatives. This is an environment where curiosity is encouraged, initiative is valued, and each team member has a meaningful impact on how the museum’s mission is realized.

For those who are passionate about Russian history and culture, RHM offers not just a job, but the chance to help shape how these histories are preserved, interpreted, and shared with audiences around the world.

What You’ll Do

Collections Stewardship & Documentation

• Develop and refine collections policies, procedures, and workflows
• Manage acquisition, accessioning, and deaccessioning processes
• Catalog, document, and research artifacts in accordance with museum and archival standards
• Maintain and improve collections records and RHM’s collections management system, including the public database
• Oversee storage, handling, and environmental conditions to ensure long-term preservation

Exhibitions & Interpretation

• Develop and help implement a medium- and long-term exhibitions plan
• Identify themes and stories across collections (museum, archives, and library) for exhibitions, publications, and programs
• Plan and execute special exhibitions, drawing on RHM’s collections and loans from other institutions and private collections
• Partner with the Engagement & Education Manager to develop programs, tours, and curriculum-based offerings
• Lead specialized and thematic tours for visitors, donors, and scholars

Collections Development & Donor Relations

• Play a leading role in shaping and implementing collections development strategy
• Cultivate relationships with current and prospective donors of in-kind materials
• Evaluate potential acquisitions and guide accessioning decisions
• Work closely with leadership on donor engagement and stewardship

Scholarship & Professional Engagement

• Conduct ongoing research related to the museum’s collections
• Present at academic and professional conferences
• Create written and digital content highlighting research findings and collection strengths, elevating RHM’s profile and increasing awareness of its holdings

Access, Loans & Partnerships

• Facilitate access to collections for researchers, scholars, and institutional partners
• Manage incoming and outgoing loans, including documentation, condition reporting, and logistics
• Build relationships with museums, archives, universities, and cultural organizations

Preservation & Conservation

• Identify conservation needs and prioritize preservation projects
• Oversee conservation treatments with external specialists
• Seek funding opportunities and manage grants related to collections care

Leadership & Mentorship

• Supervise interns, volunteers, and project staff engaged in collections work
• Promote professional standards and collaborative practice across the institution

Qualifications

• Degree in Russian Studies, History, Museum Studies, or a related field
• Strong knowledge of Russian history, culture, and the Russian émigré experience
• Reading knowledge of Russian required; higher proficiency preferred
• Demonstrated research experience, including the ability to work with historical materials, primary sources, and scholarly resources
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collegial, solutions-oriented approach to teamwork
• Initiative, adaptability, optimism, and a willingness to take ownership of projects
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills
• Comfort engaging both scholarly and public audiences through writing, speaking, and interpretation

Preferred Attributes

• Experience with collections management, archives, libraries, museums, or other stewardship of historical materials
• Familiarity with cataloging, metadata, database systems, or collections management software
• Experience planning exhibitions, interpretive projects, teaching, or public-facing scholarship
• Strategic thinker with a long-term vision for collections growth and institutional impact
• Experience in small museums, historic sites, libraries, archives, or other mission-driven organizations
• Supervisory experience with interns, volunteers, or project staff preferred

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the desired attributes for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

Curator of Collections Position Details

• Position type: Full-time (40 hours per week)
• Location: In-person in Jordanville, NY (partial remote work possible)
• Salary: $60,000–$64,000, depending on experience
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, with occasional nights and weekends to participate in programming and evening events
• Reports to: Executive Director

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Employer-matched retirement savings
• Paid time off and generous holiday schedule
• Flexible work schedule and possibility for remote work
• Funding for professional development
• Membership in professional organizations
• Support for presenting research (registration, travel, lodging)

We understand that people come to this role with different professional and personal priorities. Within the scope of our resources, we aim to be flexible and thoughtful in shaping a benefits and support package that reflects what matters most to the successful candidate and helps them thrive in their work with us.

Working Conditions & Effort

Office and museum, library, and archives located in non-ADA compliant buildings. Hours are flexible and some work may be done remotely. Must be able to lift, carry, and move up to forty pounds unassisted. Requires manual dexterity for handling fragile documents and objects.

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter, explaining what makes you particularly well-suited for this role and joining the RHM team, to Michael Perekrestov at mperek@russianhistorymuseum.org. “Curator of Collections” should be placed in the email subject line. No phone calls please. Consideration of candidates will begin May 6 and continue until the position is filled.