Senior Conservator of Paintings: Lead Preservation

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid leave

Holiday leave

Retirement plans

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond seeks a Margaret H. and William E. Massey Senior Conservator of Paintings to lead conservation of its paintings collection, guide examinations, documentation, and treatment decisions, and collaborate with curators to meet exhibition and loan needs.

The role requires strong leadership, publishing activity, and experience with scientific analysis, budget management, and cross‑department collaboration; travel for research and exhibitions is possible.

Qualifications

• Proven supervision and mentoring of conservators and fellows.
• Experience with project and budget management in a complex institution.
• Ability to work across departments and communicate clearly.
• Demonstrated proficiency in condition assessments and treatment planning.
• Ability to evaluate treatment proposals and supervise staff, interns, contractors.
• Ability to research history, materials, and condition using scientific analysis.
• Significant publications or presentations in professional/public settings.
• Strong time management and ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Clear, concise communication to diverse audiences.
• Proficient with collection management systems and analysis software.
• Experience with MS Teams, Planner, and Asana preferred.
• Strong international/courier experience for artworks preferred.
• Knowledge of safe chemical handling per OSHA standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight in paintings conservation for the VMFA collection.
• Collaborate with curators and colleagues to support exhibitions, loans, and acquisitions.
• Develop conservation priorities and manage staff budgets and priorities.
• Perform examinations, documentation, and preventive conservation for paintings.
• Lead research, technical investigations, and publication activity.
• Contribute to public engagement, tours, and fundraising communications.
• Support travel for research, conferences, and exhibitions as needed.

Skills

Supervision

Mentoring

Collaboration

Condition assessments

Treatment proposals

Scientific analysis

Publications/presentations

Time management

Communication

Conservation software

MS Teams / Planner / Asana

Art courier experience

Chemical safety (OSHA)

Tools

Collection management systems

Software for scientific analysis

Spreadsheets

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Planner

Asana

Job description

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond seeks a Margaret H. and William E. Massey Senior Conservator of Paintings to lead conservation of its paintings collection, guide examinations, documentation, and treatment decisions, and collaborate with curators to meet exhibition and loan needs.

The role requires strong leadership, publishing activity, and experience with scientific analysis, budget management, and cross‑department collaboration; travel for research and exhibitions is possible.