Acquisitions Section Head - Emirati Hire

Job Purpose

• The Acquisitions Section Head leads the strategic development, governance, and implementation of acquisitions, commissions, donations, and gifts for the museum’s permanent collection. The role oversees the Acquisitions Section and works closely with the Museum Director, Director of Curatorial & Collection Management, Chief Curator, Senior Curators, and key internal and external stakeholders to shape and strengthen the museum’s collection in alignment with its curatorial vision, research priorities, and long-term collection development strategy.
• The role is responsible for leading acquisition planning, overseeing due diligence and governance processes, managing acquisition budgets and approvals, cultivating strategic donor and institutional relationships, and ensuring acquisitions and commissions meet the highest scholarly, ethical, legal, and operational standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction and operational management of the Acquisitions Section in alignment with the museum’s vision, mission, and collection development strategy.
• Work closely with the Museum Director, Director of Curatorial & Collection Management, Chief Curator, and Senior Curators to identify strategic priorities for acquisitions, commissions, donations, and gifts.
• Develop and implement long-term acquisition plans to strengthen and diversify the museum’s permanent collection.
• Lead and oversee all acquisitions, commissions, donations, and gifts to ensure compliance with museum policies, governance procedures, and international museum standards.
• Oversee acquisition budgets and financial planning in collaboration with the Director of Curatorial & Collection Management and Chief Curator.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with collectors, donors, dealers, scholars, institutions, auction houses, artists, and cultural stakeholders locally and internationally.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to acquisitions staff and support capability development within the Section.
• Support institutional research, publications, exhibitions, and strategic initiatives related to the museum collection.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in research, Archaeology, acquisition or relevant discipline.
• Preferred PhD Master’s degree in relevant subject area.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of relevant professional experience in acquisitions, collections, curatorial practice, or related museum roles.
• At least 5 years of experience in a senior acquisitions, collections, or leadership role within a museum or cultural institution.
• Strong experience in provenance research, due diligence, legal and ethical compliance, and financial oversight related to acquisitions.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, negotiations, and institutional approval processes.
• Subject matter expertise relevant to the museum’s collections, including history, archaeology, cultural heritage or related fields.
• Strong understanding of international museum standards, collections ethics, heritage legislation, provenance requirements, and cultural property regulations, including CITES and UNESCO conventions.
• Excellent professional networks within regional and international museum and cultural sectors.
• Languages Arabic and English.