Conservator - Exhibitions

The British Museum; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cultural institution in the UK is seeking an experienced Conservator to lead preventive care for valuable collections. The role involves managing exhibitions, providing oversight on conservation practices, and collaborating with national and international partners. With responsibilities including project management, condition assessment of collections, and mentoring staff, this position offers a significant opportunity for professional growth at a world-renowned museum. Benefits include generous annual leave, exceptional pension, and various cultural perks.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus additional privileges

Exceptional pension scheme

Free tickets to exhibitions

Interest-free travel loans

Access to wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Hold a degree or equivalent experience in conservation.
• Willingness to work towards PACR accreditation.
• Experience in managing complex projects and conservation challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead preventive conservation activities for exhibitions and loans.
• Independently assess and manage collection conditions.
• Collaborate on conservation standards with partner institutions.
• Mentor staff and align objectives with departmental priorities.
• Contribute to exhibition processes and evaluation.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong understanding of conservation theory

Practical experience in exhibition conservation

Project management skills

Innovative problem-solving

Education

Recognised professional conservation qualification (degree level or equivalent)

Job description

The British Museum is seeking an experienced Conservator to play a leading role in the preventive care of one of the world's most significant collections. This is a specialist post with a strong focus on exhibitions, loans and international touring, supporting the Museum's ambitious exhibition programme and long-term strategic priorities. The role combines strategic oversight, technical expertise and people leadership, and will contribute to the delivery of the Museum's Masterplan and capital projects. This is a rare opportunity to work at a world-leading museum during a period of significant transformation. You'll contribute to high-profile exhibitions and international collaborations, work alongside expert colleagues across disciplines, and help shape best practice in preventive conservation for years to come.

Responsibilities

• Lead in the coordination of preventive conservation activities for exhibitions, loans and touring projects, ensuring delivery to time and budget
• Lead on the care of the collection through on environment (temperature, relative humidity, light and pollutants), and support Integrated Pest Management
• Independently assess the condition of collections and contribute to the preventative conservation of collections made of a wide range of organic and inorganic materials by proposing environmental management solutions for long-term preservation
• Solve complex conservation challenges related to exhibition delivery, using professional judgement, innovation and adaptability
• Collaborate with and influence colleagues and stakeholders on collection care and conservation matters
• Support and advise partner institutions in the UK and internationally on collection care standards
• Line manage and mentor staff, aligning individual objectives with departmental and organisational priorities
• Review and improve processes and procedures to ensure best practice in safeguarding the collection
• Ensure compliance with current health and safety legislation
• Contribute to exhibition de-install processes, evaluation and lessons learned
• Contribute to funding bids, outreach activities, public speaking and professional publishing
• Be a recognised professional conservation qualification (degree level or equivalent experience) and working towards PACR accreditation
• Excellent knowledge of contemporary preventive conservation principles and practice
• Practical experience of exhibition and display-related conservation activities
• Strong understanding of conservation theory, ethical decision making and health and safety requirements
• Proven ability to manage projects, solve problems and make sound professional judgements
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to motivate and influence, collaborate with and present to a range of audiences
• Ideally, you will have experience of working on complex projects and of exhibition design and build
• Be a part of a world-renowned institution, where history, culture, and innovation come together!

Benefits

• Generous Leave: 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service) plus 2.5 privilege days and bank holidays.
• Exceptional Pension: Secure your future with one of the UK's most generous defined benefit schemes - guaranteed income for life.
• Cultural Perks: Free tickets to exhibitions, plus complimentary and discounted entry to leading museums and galleries worldwide.
• Financial Support: Interest-free travel loans and rental deposit loans.
• Wellbeing: Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for mental health and wellbeing support.
• Everyday Extras: Paid 1-hour lunch break, subsidised staff canteen, and discounts in our gift shop.

Values

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Spark Curiosity
• Value Many Voices

Additional details

• If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details
• Unfortunately, for this role we are unable to offer Sponsorship to applicants

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants. Museum Website: https://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=YW5uYS5nZW9yZ2UuOTc2NzIuMTExOTNAYnJpdGlzaG11c2V1bS5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20