Head of Organic Conservation

www.nationalmuseums.org.uk - Jobboard; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cultural institution in London seeks a qualified individual to lead the organic conservation team. The role involves managing a specialist team, developing operational plans, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Ideal candidates will have a history in organic materials conservation, management experience, and excellent communication skills. The position offers a generous leave allowance and participation in museum activities.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance

Civil service pension scheme

Free entry to museums and exhibitions

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• A well-established history of organic materials conservation in a museum or heritage sector.
• Management experience within a heritage organisation.
• Membership of relevant professional organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and motivate a team of organic conservators.
• Develop operational plans for the Organic Team.
• Ensure compliance with security and health and safety.

Skills

Leadership and motivational skills

Expertise in organic materials conservation

Excellent people skills

Education

Recognised professional qualification to degree level

Job description

About the role

To lead, develop, manage and set standards for a specialist team of organic conservators. To make a major contribution to the Management and planning of the Conservation Team in support of the Museum Operating Plan, the Public Programme and all relevant museum strategies.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, manage and motivate a team of staff with expertise in the conservation of organic materials
• Develop operational plans for the Organic Team – in conjunction with other senior members of Conservation, support the preservation, conservation, and research strategies of the Conservation and Collection teams of the Museum
• Lead the dissemination of work of the Organic Team to the Conservation community through staff activities, publications, and lectures
• Manage contribution to commercial activities – including international loans and consultancy and contribute to the generation of income for the department
• Ensure compliance with security and health and safety
• Manage delegated budgets for materials

What you’ll bring to the team

• A well-established history of organic materials conservation in a museum or heritage sector environment and a recognised professional qualification to degree level
• Clear leadership and motivational skills with management experience within a heritage organisation
• Excellent people skills and the ability to represent the interests of the department and Museum nationally and internationally
• Recognition as an expert in the field of organic materials conservation and membership of relevant professional organisations

About the British Museum

Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, and its world-famous collection includes Egyptian crocodile armour, Vindolanda tablets, the Sutton-Hoo finds, and the Lewis Chessmen. The Museum also holds an extensive collection of prints and drawings spanning 600 years, including works by Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and bank holidays
• Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme
• Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
• Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators and behind-the-scenes opportunities
• Interest-free travel, bicycle, and rental deposit loans
• Professional and personal development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts on food and gift shop purchases

Additional details

For more information about this role, please see the job description.

Interviews are planned for 21 October 2025.

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to [e-mail].

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that employees have the right to work in the UK. If you currently do not hold the right to work in the UK, sponsorship is limited to roles that meet eligibility criteria. The role must be in the list of eligible occupations and meet the minimum salary threshold where applicable. See guidance on skilled worker visa requirements for more information.

The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated because of their relevant knowledge, skills, and experience.

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.

National Museum Directors' Council, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG.