Archaeological Collections Manager at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18^th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.  

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

Join the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in preserving and sharing a nationally significant archaeological collection that tells America’s shared story. In this role, you’ll help safeguard and make accessible priceless artifacts through hands-on care, innovative projects, and strategic planning. You’ll contribute to groundbreaking research, dynamic exhibitions, and engaging in public programs, while building donor support for future stewardship. Be at the heart of our expanded archaeology program as we launch the state-of-the-art Campbell Archaeology Center in 2026.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s archaeological collection and records represent a nationally significant resource for understanding the shared history of all Americans. This position plays a key role in ensuring the continued care, proper storage, and accessibility of this collection through daily operations, project-based initiatives, and long-term strategic planning. The role offers opportunities to contribute to active research and to share discoveries through scholarly publication, exhibitions, and engaging public programs. In addition, the incumbent will collaborate in cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors to support the ongoing stewardship of the collection for future generations.

This position will be an integral part of the Foundation’s expanded archaeology program with the opening of the Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center in 2026. This new facility will feature state-of-the-art laboratories, modern equipment, and carefully curated collections accessible to visitors seven days a week. The Center will provide guests with the unique opportunity to observe and interact with archaeologists as they clean, study, and analyze artifacts—offering a firsthand view into the process of uncovering and interpreting the past. The incumbent will help shape and operate within this dynamic public-facing environment, contributing to both scholarly
work and visitor engagement in meaningful and visible ways.

Main Duties:

• Develop and maintain broad expertise in the collection’s materials, production methods,
chronologies, fabrication techniques, and cultural origins.
• Assist in the care and management of the physical collection and digital catalogue, tracking
location data and ensuring accessibility for research and exhibitions.
• Document assigned objects through written and photographic records, releasing information
to the online catalogue in a timely manner.
• Contribute to exhibition development through storylines, object selection, labeling, and
installation for the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg and the Campbell Archaeology
Center.
• Organize and maintain proper storage; provide collection access to internal and external
scholars.
• Collaborate with conservators on preservation priorities and treatments, executing approved
conservation work as needed.
• Conduct original research and publish findings in essays, online platforms, and other
scholarly outlets.
• Deliver engaging public programs such as illustrated lectures, workshops, and specialized
tours.
• Support training for interns, interpreters, volunteers, and public contact staff.
• Cultivate relationships with donors to encourage funding for research and collections care.
• Maintain professional connections with colleagues at other institutions to stay current with
scholarship and best practices.
• Supervise lab technicians, interns, and volunteers; coordinate staffing in the public-facing
labs.
Required Education and Experience:
• Master’s degree in Archaeology, Anthropology, History, Museum Studies, or a related
discipline; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of curatorial, archaeological field, or other directly related professional
experience.
• Minimum of two years of supervisory or management experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience working with archaeological collections in a museum, research, or academic
setting.
• Demonstrated skill in artifact documentation, cataloging systems, and digital collections
management.
• Experience developing exhibitions and/or interpretive content for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to conduct and publish scholarly research.
• Experience engaging with donors, stakeholders, and partner institutions.
• Familiarity with conservation practices and collaboration with professional conservators.

Key Skills / Competencies:

• Knowledge of Anglo-American material culture, architectural history, and related subjects.
• Knowledge of relational database cataloguing systems.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Problem solving skills with the ability to effectively manage competing priorities.
• Ability to coordinate large research projects.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team; fostering inclusive teamwork.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  This position will supervise Archaeological Lab Technicians. 

Physical and Environmental Demands:

- Prolonged sitting and working on a computer.
- Standing for prolonged periods of time.
- Must be able to lift 25 pounds at a time.
- Use of hands for prolonged tasks, including reaching.
- Occasionally stooping and bending

Typical Work Schedule:  8:30am-5:00pm, occasional weekend work is require