University of California-Berkeley
Senior Curator (0421U), Centers and Museums - #81098
University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States, 94709
About UC Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan. UC Berkeley believes that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provides space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley. Departmental Overview The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life (the Magnes) is a museum and research center at UC Berkeley. It generates new knowledge and understanding of Jewish cultures through its permanent collection—one of the largest and internationally most important collections of Jewish art and artifacts—for its academic and public communities. The Magnes envisions a society that seeks common ground while honoring cultural differences and embraces the diversity of Jewish life around the world. Founded in 1962 by Seymour and Rebecca Camhi Fromer and integrated into UC Berkeley in 2010, the Magnes has continued to expand, receiving significant gifts and housing approximately 60,000 holdings including art, artifacts, manuscripts, photographs, and institutional records. The Magnes is a hub for research, teaching and learning, creative expression, and public engagement for scholars, students, and patrons. It collaborates with UC Berkeley departments, especially the Berkeley Center for Jewish Studies and Helen Diller Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies, and with local and regional partners. It is part of the Division of Arts and Humanities in the College of Letters and Science and is one of four public-serving museums at UC Berkeley. Position Summary The Magnes seeks a creative curator to work in partnership with the Executive Director to implement the museum's mission and vision. The Senior Curator will have a strong curatorial vision rooted in collaboration and audience engagement, leadership, and expertise in Jewish studies, including Jewish material culture. The role is to develop, manage, and interpret the Magnes's collections with and for the museum's public and academic communities. Application Review Date The First Review Date for this job is: 09/25/2025. Responsibilities Curatorial: Lead collections-based activities including collections development and care, research, access, exhibition planning, and policy development with a collaborative approach involving museum staff and external partners. Plan and project manage multifaceted exhibitions and installations based on original research, including writing interpretive materials and catalogs. Develop curatorial projects in collaboration with UC Berkeley faculty and students, academic programs, and courses. Maintain a leadership role in Jewish studies or related fields, staying current with scholarship and new theories. Keep up with best practices in museum/curatorial work, including conservation, presentation, interpretation, and visitor experience; engage with audiences. Participate in regional, national, and international networks and conferences. Leadership and Supervision: As part of the senior management team, contribute to short- and long-range planning, programmatic vision, staffing, and policy development. As curatorial head, partner with the Executive Director to lead the museum and represent the Magnes on campus and in broader communities. Supervise and coach Collections and Curatorial staff, including professional staff and pre-professional workers and interns. Academic Relations: Deepen relationships with UC Berkeley undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and staff. Collaborate with Learning & Engagement to support teaching and learning through collections-based programming. Engage faculty, departments, and centers in initiatives that strengthen student engagement and support research. Development and External Relations: Partner to cultivate and steward donors, foundations, government and corporate funders for collections and curatorial needs. Serve as a visible museum spokesperson and collaborate with campus and community partners. Staff advisory boards with leadership and communications teams; participate in fundraising planning and events; write grants and seek sponsorships; cultivate gifts-in-kind to the collection. Budget and Financial Operations: Develop and manage annual and project budgets for collections and curatorial activities with the Executive Director and support staff; identify opportunities for ethical revenue generation. Required Qualifications Deep knowledge of Jewish history, religion, cultures, and material culture with specialization in an area of the collection. Ability to curate engaging exhibitions based on original research for diverse audiences. Knowledge of standard museum curatorial practices and current trends. Knowledge of collection development, connoisseurship, ethical and legal standards for acquisition and deaccession, and current market. Understanding of conservation/preservation principles. Ability to interpret material culture for diverse audiences, with strong labeling, engagement, and visitor experience skills. Ability to research and interpret material culture across media, origins, and time periods. Record of scholarly research and publications. Excellence in people management and supervision; coaching and mentoring. Donor cultivation and relationship-building skills. Budget and project management, problem-solving, and process improvement abilities. Strategic planning and goal setting abilities. Excellent verbal and written communication, including public speaking. Collaborative and flexible; able to lead and contribute as a team member. Ability to engage board members, advisors, and community in decision-making. Demonstrated teaching ability in a museum setting. Commitment to proactive collaboration with diverse constituents in curatorial projects. Ability to conceptualize and direct multifaceted curatorial projects; integrate curatorial activities with UC Berkeley missions. Fluency in reading Hebrew; fluency or proficiency in Russian, Polish, Yiddish, Ladino, or another Jewish language is preferred. Advanced degree in a related field or equivalent experience with extensive knowledge in Jewish studies and arts/museum administration. Preferred Qualifications Experience curating photographic collections or knowledge of the history of photography. Salary & Benefits For information on UC Berkeley's comprehensive benefits package, please visit the Compensation & Benefits website. The compensation range is posted in this job announcement. The budgeted annual salary range is $112,400.00 - $214,000.00. This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position eligible for UC Benefits. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position. How to Apply Submit your resume and cover letter to apply. Other Information This is not a visa opportunity. This position is eligible for up to 10% remote work with arrangements determined with the supervisor. Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check. Berkeley hires people with conviction histories and reviews information accordingly; employment is contingent on successful background check completion. Mandated Reporter This position is identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report observed or suspected abuse or neglect. Employment may be contingent on signed statements acknowledging responsibilities. Misconduct Misconduct disclosure requirements apply; see policy references for details. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
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At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan. UC Berkeley believes that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provides space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley. Departmental Overview The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life (the Magnes) is a museum and research center at UC Berkeley. It generates new knowledge and understanding of Jewish cultures through its permanent collection—one of the largest and internationally most important collections of Jewish art and artifacts—for its academic and public communities. The Magnes envisions a society that seeks common ground while honoring cultural differences and embraces the diversity of Jewish life around the world. Founded in 1962 by Seymour and Rebecca Camhi Fromer and integrated into UC Berkeley in 2010, the Magnes has continued to expand, receiving significant gifts and housing approximately 60,000 holdings including art, artifacts, manuscripts, photographs, and institutional records. The Magnes is a hub for research, teaching and learning, creative expression, and public engagement for scholars, students, and patrons. It collaborates with UC Berkeley departments, especially the Berkeley Center for Jewish Studies and Helen Diller Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies, and with local and regional partners. It is part of the Division of Arts and Humanities in the College of Letters and Science and is one of four public-serving museums at UC Berkeley. Position Summary The Magnes seeks a creative curator to work in partnership with the Executive Director to implement the museum's mission and vision. The Senior Curator will have a strong curatorial vision rooted in collaboration and audience engagement, leadership, and expertise in Jewish studies, including Jewish material culture. The role is to develop, manage, and interpret the Magnes's collections with and for the museum's public and academic communities. Application Review Date The First Review Date for this job is: 09/25/2025. Responsibilities Curatorial: Lead collections-based activities including collections development and care, research, access, exhibition planning, and policy development with a collaborative approach involving museum staff and external partners. Plan and project manage multifaceted exhibitions and installations based on original research, including writing interpretive materials and catalogs. Develop curatorial projects in collaboration with UC Berkeley faculty and students, academic programs, and courses. Maintain a leadership role in Jewish studies or related fields, staying current with scholarship and new theories. Keep up with best practices in museum/curatorial work, including conservation, presentation, interpretation, and visitor experience; engage with audiences. Participate in regional, national, and international networks and conferences. Leadership and Supervision: As part of the senior management team, contribute to short- and long-range planning, programmatic vision, staffing, and policy development. As curatorial head, partner with the Executive Director to lead the museum and represent the Magnes on campus and in broader communities. Supervise and coach Collections and Curatorial staff, including professional staff and pre-professional workers and interns. Academic Relations: Deepen relationships with UC Berkeley undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and staff. Collaborate with Learning & Engagement to support teaching and learning through collections-based programming. Engage faculty, departments, and centers in initiatives that strengthen student engagement and support research. Development and External Relations: Partner to cultivate and steward donors, foundations, government and corporate funders for collections and curatorial needs. Serve as a visible museum spokesperson and collaborate with campus and community partners. Staff advisory boards with leadership and communications teams; participate in fundraising planning and events; write grants and seek sponsorships; cultivate gifts-in-kind to the collection. Budget and Financial Operations: Develop and manage annual and project budgets for collections and curatorial activities with the Executive Director and support staff; identify opportunities for ethical revenue generation. Required Qualifications Deep knowledge of Jewish history, religion, cultures, and material culture with specialization in an area of the collection. Ability to curate engaging exhibitions based on original research for diverse audiences. Knowledge of standard museum curatorial practices and current trends. Knowledge of collection development, connoisseurship, ethical and legal standards for acquisition and deaccession, and current market. Understanding of conservation/preservation principles. Ability to interpret material culture for diverse audiences, with strong labeling, engagement, and visitor experience skills. Ability to research and interpret material culture across media, origins, and time periods. Record of scholarly research and publications. Excellence in people management and supervision; coaching and mentoring. Donor cultivation and relationship-building skills. Budget and project management, problem-solving, and process improvement abilities. Strategic planning and goal setting abilities. Excellent verbal and written communication, including public speaking. Collaborative and flexible; able to lead and contribute as a team member. Ability to engage board members, advisors, and community in decision-making. Demonstrated teaching ability in a museum setting. Commitment to proactive collaboration with diverse constituents in curatorial projects. Ability to conceptualize and direct multifaceted curatorial projects; integrate curatorial activities with UC Berkeley missions. Fluency in reading Hebrew; fluency or proficiency in Russian, Polish, Yiddish, Ladino, or another Jewish language is preferred. Advanced degree in a related field or equivalent experience with extensive knowledge in Jewish studies and arts/museum administration. Preferred Qualifications Experience curating photographic collections or knowledge of the history of photography. Salary & Benefits For information on UC Berkeley's comprehensive benefits package, please visit the Compensation & Benefits website. The compensation range is posted in this job announcement. The budgeted annual salary range is $112,400.00 - $214,000.00. This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position eligible for UC Benefits. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position. How to Apply Submit your resume and cover letter to apply. Other Information This is not a visa opportunity. This position is eligible for up to 10% remote work with arrangements determined with the supervisor. Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check. Berkeley hires people with conviction histories and reviews information accordingly; employment is contingent on successful background check completion. Mandated Reporter This position is identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report observed or suspected abuse or neglect. Employment may be contingent on signed statements acknowledging responsibilities. Misconduct Misconduct disclosure requirements apply; see policy references for details. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
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