Director of Conservation (The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)

Washington Conservation Guild; Williamsburg (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in Virginia is seeking a Director of Conservation to lead and oversee the conservation department, safeguarding the Foundation's cultural and historic assets. The role provides strategic direction, manages the operating budget, and ensures high-quality analysis, surveys, treatments, and documentation across objects.

The Director represents conservation across the institution, supports educational and interpretive efforts, participates in donor development and

Qualifications

• Experience in conservation of 16th–20th century objects preferred.
• Evidence of scholarly or professional contributions related to conservation practice or research.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the conservation department and its priorities.
• Manage the operating budget for the conservation program.
• Ensure quality of analysis, care, surveys, treatment, and documentation of objects.
• Represent the department across the institution and support educational efforts.

Skills

Conservation experience

Scholarly contributions

Bench work

Professional organization membership

Teaching experience

Multi-disciplinary facility experience

Job description

Pay/Hours/Benefits:

This is a full-time position without a listed salary. Benefits not listed on the job description, for more information please reach out to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Application Deadline:

No deadline listed. The position was posted on the Colonial Williamsburg jobs board on January 8, 2026

Brief Description:

The Director of Conservation is responsible for enhancing the protection and preservation of Colonial Williamsburg’s cultural and historic assets by providing leadership and oversight of the Foundation’s innovative conservation department. To accomplish this, the Director oversees departmental priorities and production, manages the operating budget, and ensures the quality of analysis, care, surveys, treatment, and documentation. Additionally, the Director represents the department and articulates conservation issues throughout the institution; supports educational and interpretive efforts in the Historic Area and museums; participates in activities associated with donor development, grant writing, and other fundraising events; and acts as a liaison with outside individuals and organizations on conservation matters as needed.

Budgetary Responsibilities:

Annual operating budget of approx. $2.8M

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises a team of professional conservation staff, including two (2) Conservators, five (5) Senior Conservators, two (2) Associate Conservators, and one (1) specialized conservation role supporting musical instruments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional conservation experience with an emphasis on 16th- to 20th-century British, European, and/or American objects.
• Evidence of scholarly or professional contributions, such as articles or other published works related to conservation practice or research.
• Demonstrated experience in bench work and the treatment of objects.
• Membership in a professional conservation organization.
• Teaching, training, or instructional experience.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary conservation facility.