Grainger Associate Vice President of Conservation and Science

School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago seeks a visionary leader to head Conservation and Science, Grainger Center, overseeing treatment, research, and the care of the museum’s 300,000+ objects.

As Associate Vice President, you will steer staff, budgets, partnerships, and scholarly dissemination, collaborating with curatorial teams and philanthropy to advance the museum's conservation mission and public engagement.

Qualifications

• Ten+ years in conservation and scientific research leadership.
• Experience managing large teams and multi-disciplinary projects.
• Strong publication and scholarly dissemination record.
• Proven ability to collaborate with philanthropy and curatorial teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead Conservation and Science with responsibility for treatment, research, and preservation of the collection.
• Oversee Grainger Center operations, labs, classroom and gallery activities.
• Set conservation policies, budgeting, staffing, and facilities planning.
• Foster academic collaborations and external partnerships.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Strategic planning

Fundraising

Education

Master’s degree in conservation or related field

Job description

Grainger Associate Vice President of Conservation and Science

Job Category: Curatorial Affairs

Requisition Number: GRAIN002901

• Posted : August 4, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Chicago, IL 60603, USA

Description

About the Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

About the Department

Responsible for the treatment, research, and long-term preservation of over 300,000 works of art in the Art Institute’s collections, the department of Conservation and Science is integral to the museum’s mission to safeguard the world’s artistic and cultural legacy for future generations. Founded in 1956 with a single painting’s conservator, the department has grown to a staff of over 35 specializing in twelve disciplines organized in four divisions:

• Objects and Textiles (including mount making and preventive conservation)
• Paintings and Frames
• Paper, Photography, and Media (including books and Asian paintings)
• Scientific Research

Members of the department contribute to the advancement of the field and the broader awareness of conservation issues through multiple avenues of specialized and societal dissemination, are involved in object-based teaching and scientific research, and actively support the education of future conservation and museum professionals.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Deputy Director and Senior Vice President for Curatorial Affairs, leads the museum’s conservation and scientific research program and its new Grainger Center for Conservation and Science. Oversees the care, treatment, conservation research, and examination of the museum’s collection and the team of conservators supporting these efforts. As a key partner to the museum’s eleven curatorial departments and Collections and Loans, makes conservation recommendations pertaining to loans, exhibitions, display, storage, handling, transport, acquisition, and deaccession of collection objects. Plans and directs workflows for conservation treatments and documentation and sets standards for conservation and scientific research of the collection based on knowledge of works of art and conservation best practices. In collaboration with Philanthropy, serves as an ambassador of the museum, inspiring and encouraging philanthropic support through compelling storytelling and public engagement.

This leadership position develops and advances the museum’s mission, including outreach, communication, capital programs, and in-gallery and digital initiatives with a focus on conservation and science. Builds the reputation of the Grainger Center for Conservation and Science, including public engagement through the Grainger Gallery and classroom; contributes to national and international dialogue on the care and research of artworks, advancing the museum's leadership in this field. Engages with the public, scholars, students, fellows, and peers to disseminate the research and activities of the department; foster connections with academic partners; maintains active research and/or treatment profile. Develops and mentors the staff in conservation and science and supports the education of future conservation and museum professionals.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Supervision

• Provides key professional, intellectual, and operational leadership for the Conservation and Science department with direct responsibility for the treatment, care, documentation, and object-based research of the collection.
• Steers all activity and programming in the Grainger Center for Conservation and Science, including labs, classroom, and gallery.
• Advises museum leadership on the management and maintenance of the Art Institute collections on conservation and scientific research issues.
• Coordinates conservation activities museum wide and establishes the museum's conservation policies in consultation with the deputy director, Collections and Loans team, curators, and other relevant departments.
• Develops long-range plans for the department concerning staffing, budgeting, equipment, and facilities to meet collection needs.
• Oversees the department’s strategic planning, facilities, and operations.
• Directly supervises the directors of each conservation specialty and provides support for all departmental personnel management.
• Uses discretion to organize and monitor work processes, resolve operational issues, and implement new procedures.
• Evaluates performance to ensure direct reports are equipped to perform their roles effectively and efficiently and provides professional development as needed, up to and including all levels of disciplinary action.
• Reviews applicant materials to identify candidates for interviews; conducts candidate interviews; provides recommendations as part of the hiring process.
• Sets priorities for publications, presentation, dissemination, and other research and outreach activities of the department.
• Actively stewards academic collaborations.
• Develops awareness within and outside the museum of the importance and needs of art conservation and object-based research.

Treatment and Collection Care

• Maintains institutional and professional standards for safe handling, storage, installation, packing, and shipping of objects in coordination with the Collections and Loans team, specialists and technicians, and curatorial staff.
• Provides guidance on the environmental needs of the collection in galleries and in onsite and offsite art storage spaces, including for humidity and temperature control, lighting, air quality, and integrated pest management, etc.; works with conservators to manage the quarantine room.
• Oversees condition assessment program; advises curatorial teams and conservation specialty directors on appropriate treatment priorities that use the most up-to-date methods and materials.
• In partnership with the conservation specialty directors, oversees the work required for major reinstallations or moves of the collection.
• In consultation with the director of objects and textiles conservation and key senior museum leaders, stewards the Ferguson monuments fund and its related conservation activities and contracts.
• Seeks the assistance of outside consultants with specialized conservation and/or scientific knowledge when needed.
• Oversees all contracted conservation work both on and off the premises.
• Leads conservators’ response to emergencies that occur in galleries or storage areas, in collaboration with curatorial, Collections and Loans, and Protection Services.
• Depending on the incumbent’s area of specialty, maintains an active treatment and/or research profile.

Exhibitions, Loans, and Acquisitions

• Directs processes concerning the examination of collection objects proposed for loan and related recommendations. Maintains communication with curators, Collections and Loans, and the Director’s Office, and consults with the conservation specialty directors to coordinate activities related to loans.
• Oversees conservation requirements for exhibitions, including appointing conservators for exhibitions, the preparation of incoming and outgoing condition reports, and required treatments when needed. Consults with colleagues in Capital Programs and Exhibition Design to ensure that environmental requirements of artworks are met and casework and exhibition conditions meet preservation standards.
• Oversees conservation processes related to objects being considered for acquisition and deaccession.
• Supports the Conservation and Science team’s contributions to the courier program.

Facilities and budgeting

• In consultation with the Deputy Director and Finance, sets budgets; allocates and administers the department budget, including restricted funds for conservation.
• Works with conservation specialty directors and Capital Programs as appropriate to ensure facilities and equipment are up to date and meet the needs of an active conservation and scientific research program.

Conservation records

• Oversees the creation and maintenance of all conservation documentation pertaining to the collection in the department’s files. Shares copies in the museum's collection management database and digital asset management system in accordance with the highest archival and digital preservation standards.
• In consultation with the appropriate departments, sets guidelines for sharing of non-public conservation information outside the museum.

Research

• Develops, prioritizes, and oversees short- and long-term conservation and science research projects.
• Assesses and fosters the application of new technologies for treatment and research.
• Sets priorities and recommendations for research collaborations with outside scholars and other partners.

Communication, professional development, and dissemination

• Keeps the Deputy Director informed of the activities of the Conservation and Science department and provides regular updates on the progress of major treatments, staffing, development and other relevant projects.
• Disseminates conservation policies and procedures to relevant museum stakeholders.
• Sets publications and presentations priorities for the department, including museum publications and lectures, social media, and journals aimed at both professional and general audiences.
• Travels to attend conferences, presents papers, and confers with colleagues.
• Collaborates with the Director's Office and Legal to establish policies and procedures for advising patrons and trustees of the museum on conservation matters. Answers or delegates answering of public inquiries, if necessary.
• Collaborates closely with curatorial and senior staff across the museum.
• Serves on committees and undertakes special projects and responsibilities as appointed by the Deputy Director.

Philanthropic Stewardship

• Works with the Director’s Office and with colleagues in Philanthropy to pursue fundraising opportunities for the department and specific projects.
• Participates in and leads tours, lectures, special events, and other activities aimed at cultivating philanthropic support for the museum and the department.

Training and Mentorship

• Actively engages in the professional development of the team.
• Identifies opportunities for training and professional development that can benefit individuals, the specialty, and/or the entire department.
• Supports mentoring opportunities for early- or mid-career training in conservation.
• Supports a robust internship and fellowship program in Conservation and Science that is integrated with the museum’s interns and fellows cohort, as managed by Academic Engagement and Research.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program, museum studies program, or applicable scientific or humanistic discipline (PhD preferred)
• Minimum of ten to fifteen years of post-graduate experience, or equivalent training and experience
• Broad professional knowledge of conservation, conservation science, and collections care
• Successful track record in a management role in a cultural institution
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as demonstrated by a track record of publications and presentations
• Proficiency with a variety of software platforms for administration, project management, and image processing
• Project planning and delivery skills
• Understanding of financial planning and management
• Fundraising skills and an understanding of philanthropy, research grants, and other funding sources preferred
• Strong national and international network in cultural heritage institutions and academia

Hiring Range: $200,000 - $225,000 Annually

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

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The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at [e-mail] .

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