At a Glance
- Tasks: Conserve and restore exceptional royal furniture, ensuring it remains in top condition.
- Company: Join the Royal Household and work with a world-renowned collection.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25-30 days annual leave, a generous pension plan, and complimentary lunch.
- Other info: Collaborate with talented conservators in a supportive and dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make history come alive by preserving furniture that shaped centuries.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience in furniture conservation and excellent craftsmanship skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
It’s conserving exceptional royal furniture that has shaped centuries of history. The Royal Collection contains a world-renowned collection of English and European furniture and your expertise will ensure it remains in good condition according to our programme of conservation priorities. You will be joining a team of talented specialist conservators and will report to the Senior Conservator of Furniture based at our dedicated workshops in London.
Key Responsibilities
- To conserve and restore furniture to the highest possible standard, delivering agreed treatments to deadline and producing exceptional finishes that honour original craftsmanship.
- To assess condition, develop and recommend treatment proposals, and discuss these with the Senior Furniture Conservator for approval by the Surveyor of The King’s Works of Art.
- To work with conservation colleagues to ensure the appropriate care and conservation of the furniture collection.
- To ensure accurate and up-to-date records of all conservation treatment documentation is maintained on the Collections Management System.
- To maintain high standards of workshop practice, including responsibility for the care, maintenance, and safe use of tools and equipment, ensuring compliance with Health & Safety requirements.
- To assist, where requested, with the display of furniture within the Royal Palaces and The King’s Galleries and occasionally for loan to other institutions.
Essential Criteria
- You will demonstrate an understanding of the key styles, traditions and techniques of English and European furniture, particularly of the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries.
- You will bring significant hands-on experience in the conservation and restoration of furniture, confidently delivering complex treatments to a high standard, particularly in historic finishes.
- With a strong practical approach, you’ll survey and assess conservation projects, proposing innovative, ethical treatment solutions that meet both practical and curatorial requirements, underpinned by a sound understanding of conservation science and current best practice.
- You will demonstrate excellent manual skill and craftsmanship, applying traditional materials and techniques with precision and care.
- Highly organised and self-motivated, you’ll manage and prioritise a varied workload to meet multiple deadlines, working both independently and collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- A confident and effective communicator, you’ll build strong working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and external specialists.
- Detail-focused and committed to excellence, you’ll uphold the highest standards in all areas of your work, supported by a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and collections management databases.
Benefits
We know that to deliver our best work; we need to feel at our best. That’s why at the Royal Household we offer a generous benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and life priorities. Enjoy 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days (plus bank holidays) dependent on the length of time you have worked for us. Our excellent non-contributory pension plan (we’ll contribute 15% and you can contribute more if you wish) is highly valued by our employees, as is complimentary lunch on-site to keep you fuelled throughout the day. We also offer a range of leave options to support your life priorities, such as parental pay and leave and volunteering days, as well as benefits to support your physical and mental wellbeing. Other perks include 20% off at our Royal Collection Trust Shops and complimentary admission tickets across all our locations, along with many more exclusive employee discounts.
Interview Schedule
1st stage interviews held on 22nd July, and 2nd stage interviews held on 10th August.
Furniture Conservator employer: The Royal Household
The Royal Household is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work with a world-renowned collection of royal furniture in the heart of London. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee wellbeing, providing generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave, a non-contributory pension plan, and complimentary lunches, all while fostering professional growth through collaboration with talented conservators. Join us to contribute to preserving history while enjoying exclusive perks and a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Furniture Conservator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow conservators, join relevant groups, and attend workshops. The more connections we make, the better our chances of hearing about opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best conservation projects. We want to see your craftsmanship and attention to detail, so make sure it’s visually appealing and highlights your expertise in furniture restoration.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the Royal Collection and its history. We need to demonstrate our passion for preserving these exceptional pieces, so knowing the ins and outs will help us stand out during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we often have exclusive tips and updates on new roles that you won’t want to miss out on.
We think you need these skills to ace Furniture Conservator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience in furniture conservation. We want to see how you've tackled complex treatments and what techniques you've mastered, especially those related to historic finishes.
Be Detail-Oriented:When you’re writing your application, pay close attention to the details. We love candidates who are detail-focused and committed to excellence, so make sure your application reflects that with clear and precise information.
Communicate Clearly:As a conservator, you'll need to build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. Use your application to demonstrate your communication skills—be clear, concise, and confident in your writing.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Royal Household
✨Know Your Craft
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of English and European furniture styles, especially from the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries. Be ready to discuss specific techniques and materials you've used in past conservation projects, as this will show your expertise and passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to share detailed examples of your hands-on experience in furniture conservation. Highlight complex treatments you've delivered and how you approached challenges. This will demonstrate your practical skills and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for the job.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since you'll be working with a multi-disciplinary team, practice articulating your ideas clearly. Think about how you can build strong working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. Being a confident communicator will set you apart during the interview.
✨Stay Organised and Focused
Be prepared to discuss how you manage your workload and meet deadlines. Share strategies you use to stay organised, especially when juggling multiple conservation projects. This will show that you're self-motivated and capable of handling the demands of the role.
