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- Tasks: Lead and manage a team of organic conservators to preserve and research organic materials.
- Company: Join the British Museum, a historic institution with a collection spanning over two million years.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days of annual leave, pension scheme, and discounts on food and gifts.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in conservation while working in a world-renowned museum environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in conservation with expertise in organic materials and management experience required.
- Other info: Application deadline is 10 March 2025; flexible support for applicants with additional needs.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 52000 £ per year.
Role Summary
Head of Organic Conservation
Collection Care and Moves
Full-time (41 hours per week)
Permanent
£46,926 per annum
Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 23 June 2025
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 areas of responsibility:
- To develop, in conjunction with other senior members of Conservation, operational plans for the organic team that support the preservation, conservation and research strategies of the Conservation, Collection Care and Museum.
- To manage and deliver the operational plan of the section
- To develop and manage the Organic section’s contribution to the Museum’s commercial activities, including international loans and consultancy and contribute to the generation of income for the Department.
- To ensure regulatory compliance for the team, including security and health and safety, and to manage delegated budgets for materials.
- To recruit, lead, manage, mentor and motivate a team of staff with expertise in the conservation of a wide range of organic materials. Maintain a student placement and other training programmes within the team.
About you:
- Recognised professional conservation qualification to degree level which includes training in the conservation of organic materials.
- Recognised expert in the field of organic materials conservation, both nationally and internationally
- Extensive relevant practical conservation experience
- Well established history of organic materials conservation work in a museum or heritage sector environment
- Management experience within a heritage organisation
- Clear leadership and motivational abilities
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 the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, 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 the greatest graphic artists Dürer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt.
You can view a selection of our impressive collection of prints and drawings in our virtual gallery .
The Museum offers a competitive benefits package including:
- Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service) plus 2.5 privilege days and plus bank holidays.
- Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme (find out here what benefits a civil service pension provides).
- Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions
- Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections.
- 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.
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to .
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, we can only sponsor a limited number of roles that meet eligibility criteria. To offer a sponsorship, the job role you apply needs to be in the list of eligible occupations: . Additionally (with some limited exceptions), the role will need to meet the minimum salary threshold of £38,700 or the going rate for the job, whichever is the highest. You can find more information here:
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.
Head of Organic Conservation - London employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Contact Detail:
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Organic Conservation - London
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to highlight your leadership experience in conservation. The role requires clear leadership and motivational abilities, so be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarize yourself with the British Museum's collection and its conservation strategies. Understanding their operational plans and how your expertise in organic materials can contribute will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the museum and heritage sector. Attend relevant conferences or workshops where you can meet current staff or other experts in organic conservation, as personal connections can often lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with regulatory compliance and budget management. This role involves ensuring security and health and safety standards, so being able to demonstrate your knowledge in these areas will be crucial.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Organic Conservation - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Organic Conservation position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, as this will help you tailor your application.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your extensive practical conservation experience and any management roles you've held within a heritage organization. Be specific about your expertise in organic materials conservation.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Demonstrate your leadership and motivational abilities in your application. Provide examples of how you have successfully led teams or projects in the past, particularly in the context of conservation.
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Craft a personalized cover letter that connects your background and skills to the specific needs of the British Museum. Mention your professional conservation qualifications and how they align with the museum's mission and values.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your recognized professional conservation qualifications and your extensive experience in organic materials conservation. Highlight specific projects or challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since the role requires clear leadership and motivational abilities, think of examples where you've successfully led a team. Discuss your management style and how you mentor and motivate staff, especially in a heritage organization.
✨Align with Museum Strategies
Familiarize yourself with the British Museum's operational plans and strategies. Be ready to discuss how your vision for the organic conservation team aligns with the museum's goals and how you can contribute to its commercial activities.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Understand the regulatory compliance aspects related to security, health, and safety in conservation. Be ready to explain how you would ensure these standards are met within your team and manage budgets effectively.
