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- Tasks: Lead preventive conservation for exhibitions and international projects at a world-class museum.
- Company: Join the British Museum, a leader in culture and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, competitive salary, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global exhibitions and collaborate with experts in the field.
- Qualifications: Professional conservation qualification and experience in exhibition-related conservation.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a transformative period for the museum.
The predicted salary is between 33500 - 46500 £ 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.
About you:
- 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.
Benefits:
- 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 London 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 London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the conservation field! Attend exhibitions, workshops, and conferences to meet potential colleagues and employers. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with someone from the museum or during an interview, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with preventive conservation. Share specific examples of how you've tackled complex challenges in past projects. We want to see your passion and expertise shine through!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Before any meeting or interview, do your homework on the British Museum and its current exhibitions. Tailor your conversation to show how your skills align with their goals. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in our mission and can contribute to our ambitious exhibition programme.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we often have exclusive opportunities listed there that you won’t find anywhere else. Let’s get you one step closer to that conservator role!
We think you need these skills to ace Conservator: Exhibitions in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Conservator: Exhibitions role. Highlight your relevant experience in preventive conservation and exhibition management, showing us why you're the perfect fit for this position.
Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on demonstrating your knowledge of contemporary conservation principles. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so include specific examples of past projects or challenges you've tackled in your application.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your application is easy to read. This will help us understand your qualifications without getting lost in the details.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your materials and can review them promptly. Plus, it shows us 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. Being able to discuss specific examples will show your passion and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss complex conservation challenges you've faced in the past. Think about how you used innovation and adaptability to solve these issues. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the demands of the role effectively.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You’ll need to influence and collaborate with various stakeholders, so being able to present your ideas well is crucial. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to refine your communication skills.
✨Be Ready to Lead
Since this role involves line management and mentoring, be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Think of examples where you've successfully managed projects or guided a team, and how you align individual objectives with broader goals.
