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- Tasks: Lead preventive conservation for exhibitions and international projects at a world-class museum.
- Company: Join the British Museum, a global leader in culture and history.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, competitive salary, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on preserving history while collaborating with experts.
- Qualifications: Professional conservation qualification and experience in exhibition-related activities.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a transformative institution.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 43900 £ per year.
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.
Key areas of responsibility:- 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 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.
- 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.
- Generous Leave: 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service) plus 2.5 privilege days.
Conservator: Exhibitions in England employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Contact Detail:
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Conservator: Exhibitions in England
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the conservation field! Attend exhibitions, workshops, or even online webinars. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job or can offer valuable advice.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your unique skills and experiences. Share specific examples of how you've tackled conservation challenges in the past – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Be Ready for Interviews
Prepare for interviews by researching the museum's current exhibitions and conservation practices. Think about how your expertise aligns with their goals and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their ambitious projects.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Conservator: Exhibitions in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in preventive conservation and exhibitions. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Expertise: Use specific examples to demonstrate your knowledge of contemporary conservation principles and practices. We love seeing how you’ve tackled complex challenges in past roles, so let us know about those tricky situations you’ve navigated successfully.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your passion for conservation shines through without overwhelming us with too much information.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can process your application smoothly. Plus, it shows you’re keen to be part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on contemporary preventive conservation principles and practices. Familiarise yourself with the British Museum's collection and recent exhibitions. This will not only show your passion but also help you answer questions confidently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of complex conservation challenges you've faced in the past. Be ready to discuss how you approached these issues, the solutions you implemented, and the outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and adaptively.
✨Engage with the Team
Since this role involves collaboration, think about how you can influence and motivate colleagues. Prepare to discuss your experience in mentoring or leading teams, and how you align individual objectives with broader goals. This will highlight your leadership skills.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking insightful questions about the Museum’s Masterplan or upcoming exhibitions. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the position aligns with your career aspirations.
