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 for culture and history.
- Benefits: Generous leave, exceptional pension, cultural perks, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting transformation and safeguard invaluable heritage.
- 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 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ 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.
- Work 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.
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 and bank holidays.
Exceptional Pension: Secure your future with one of the UK’s most generous defined benefit schemes – guaranteed income for life.
Cultural Perks: Free tickets to exhibitions, plus complimentary and discounted entry to leading museums and galleries worldwide.
Financial Support: Interest‑free travel loans and rental deposit loans.
Wellbeing: Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for mental health and wellbeing support.
Everyday Extras: Paid 1-hour lunch break, subsidised staff canteen, and discounts in our gift shop.
Our Values
Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered. These are: Care Deeply, Embrace the Unknown, Value Many Voices.
If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org. Interviews are expected to take place on 3 March 2026.
Unfortunately, for this role we are unable to offer Sponsorship to applicants.
The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre‑employment screening of Civil Servants.
Museum Conservator: Masterplan employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Contact Detail:
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Museum Conservator: Masterplan
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the conservation field, attend relevant events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the British Museum's Masterplan programme. Understand their values and how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see you shine, so practice answering common interview questions and be ready to showcase your passion for conservation!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring a portfolio of your previous conservation work to the interview. We love seeing tangible evidence of your expertise, especially when it comes to stone, wall paintings, and mosaics. It’s your chance to impress them with your hands-on experience!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who align with our values. So, get your application in before the deadline and let’s make history together!
We think you need these skills to ace Museum Conservator: Masterplan
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your conservation qualifications and experience in your application. We want to see how your background in stone, wall paintings, and mosaics makes you the perfect fit for this role!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! Tailor your application to reflect the key areas of responsibility mentioned in the job description. Show us how your skills align with what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Make sure to communicate your ideas effectively!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly!
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Know Your Conservation 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 large-scale projects. This will show that you’re not just qualified but also passionate about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves line management and team development, prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your ability to manage and inspire others.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
You’ll need strong communication skills for this position, especially when presenting to stakeholders. Practice explaining complex conservation concepts in simple terms. This will help you convey your expertise effectively during the interview.
✨Align with Their Values
The British Museum values care, embracing the unknown, and valuing many voices. Reflect on how your personal values align with theirs and be prepared to share examples of how you’ve embodied these principles in your work. This will show that you’re a great cultural fit for their team.