At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead conservation of stone, wall paintings, and mosaics during a major redevelopment.
- Company: Join the British Museum, a world-renowned institution rich in history and culture.
- Benefits: Generous leave, competitive salary, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting transformation and safeguard cultural heritage for future generations.
- Qualifications: Professional conservation qualification with strong experience in large-scale projects.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 39105 - 45500 £ per year.
The British Museum is embarking on a transformational Masterplan programme — an ambitious, long‑term redevelopment of our galleries and collection spaces. We are seeking an experienced Conservator: Masterplan to play a central role in safeguarding our collection during a major large‑object decant and associated critical projects.
In this role, you will lead and deliver on the conservation of a range of objects, with a particular focus on stone, wall paintings and mosaic objects, ensuring the highest standards of care throughout a period of significant change. Conservation work area supervision and line management are especially integral aspects of this role. This is a brand-new conservation team who will contribute to one of the world's most comprehensive cultural heritage redevelopment programmes. This is an exciting opportunity for a flexible, creative and innovative individual.
Key areas of responsibility:
- Carry out practical conservation of stone, wall paintings and mosaic objects.
- Coordinate conservation workflow across teams to ensure timely project delivery, working closely with the Conservation Senior Management Team.
- Line manage and develop Conservators within your team, as well as motivating and developing other staff.
- Work closely with stakeholders including Senior Management, Collections Management, Curatorial teams and project stakeholders to provide expert advice.
- Maintain and improve conservation procedures and processes, as well as new preventative conservation measures as appropriate, relating to the safeguarding of the collection.
- Contribute to outreach through public speaking, publishing and advocacy for the Museum.
- Prepare funding bids, tender documents and support income‑generating initiatives.
About you:
- A recognised professional conservation qualification (degree level or equivalent) with an emphasis on stone, wall paintings and mosaics conservation. Ideally, you will also have post-graduate training in conservation leading to specialism relevant to the project and have or be working towards PACR accreditation.
- Strong practical experience in conserving stone, wall paintings and mosaics.
- Experience working on complex, large‑scale projects.
- Post qualification experience of working in the heritage sector, ideally with experience of working with a large collection.
- Understanding of mechanisms involved in material deterioration.
- Demonstrable knowledge of contemporary principles, conservation theory and ethical decision‑making.
- Staff management experience and ability to lead, motivate and develop teams, including delivering training.
- Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to work under pressure.
- Strong communication skills, with experience presenting to public and professional audiences.
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: Masterplan 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: Masterplan in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the conservation field, especially those who have worked on large-scale projects. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections and learn about potential job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your experience with stone, wall paintings, and mosaics. Include before-and-after photos of your work to demonstrate your expertise and attention to detail.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of contemporary conservation principles and ethical decision-making. Be ready to discuss how you would handle specific challenges related to the conservation of large collections.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Conservator: Masterplan in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Conservator: Masterplan role. Highlight your experience with stone, wall paintings, and mosaics, and show us how your skills align with our ambitious Masterplan programme.
Showcase Your Experience: We want to see your practical conservation experience shine through! Include specific examples of past projects, especially those involving large-scale conservation work, to demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving skills.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at the British Museum.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of stone, wall paintings, and mosaics. Be ready to discuss specific conservation techniques and your past experiences with similar materials. This will show that you're not just qualified but genuinely passionate about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves line management, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led and developed teams in the past. Highlight any training initiatives you've implemented or how you've motivated staff during challenging projects.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the British Museum's Masterplan programme and its goals. Being able to discuss how your role as a Conservator fits into this larger vision will demonstrate your commitment and strategic thinking.
✨Practice Your Communication
You'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Consider preparing a brief presentation on a past project where you had to engage with different audiences, showcasing your public speaking skills.