Lead Conservator

We are looking to recruit a colleague who will champion the care of National Museums Liverpool’s outstanding collection. The post presents the opportunity to work with a wide range of inspiring people both within and beyond the organisation. You will be forward thinking, innovative, motivating and experienced in delivering change while building a collaborative and high-performing team. You will manage the great work of our conservation team, representing them within NML and externally. This is an exciting time to join NML and to work with our national collections. Attracting more than 3 million visitors a year, we are eight exceptional museums and galleries, sharing important stories from ancient times to today through our four million objects. An organisation with a strong educational purpose, we also strive to be the most inclusive museums service in the country, offering memorable experiences that are for everyone, challenging expectations. We have ambitious plans for our museums and galleries, our displays, our exhibitions and for a new collections store. We need someone to contribute to and help develop these exciting initiatives, someone who will foster a strong team culture for our collections care colleagues. You will play a key role in making our collections more accessible as well as safeguarding them for the future. Prioritising and aligning activities to support our Strategic Plan, you will provide management and support for conservation and collections care. You can accommodate the demands of multiple simultaneous projects and remain flexible in your approach. Purpose and objectives Ensure the delivery and co-ordination of conservation best practice and care of NML’s national collections Provide inspiring management and support for the conservation team Lead on developing and implementing the preventive conservation strategy for NML Support the delivery of planning, resource and risk management for Collections Care Build a strong team culture while driving forward positive change Reporting to the Head of Collections Care Main duties Support the Head of Collections Care in managing conservation staff in the Collections Care department, setting goals, fostering development and managing performance. Support the development and implementation of collections care and collections management policies, strategies, plans and processes Develop and coordinate organisation-wide training and provide guidance for NML staff in collections care, object handling, preservation decision-making and physical care workflows. Provide internal advice and expertise on environmental management, Integrated Pest Management, light, pollutants and other agents of deterioration. Provide internal advice and expertise on display case specifications, new display developments and special projects. Contribute to the planning and delivery of NML’s loans programme. Ensure access to the collections by collaborating on and contributing to plans for exhibitions, displays, major projects, public programmes, commercial events, digitisation. Liaise closely with colleagues in curatorial, exhibitions, estate and security teams during the planning of future exhibitions to ensure early consideration of conservation requirements of objects on display. Co-ordinate the collection, analysis and interpretation of conservation-related data, including writing reports. Work closely with curatorial teams and conservation colleagues on developing priority lists for collection treatments. Work with H&S colleagues to ensure that all conservation staff and practices adhere to current Health and Safety requirements Work with Security colleagues to ensure best practice in terms of collections security. Communicate effectively with all internal and external stakeholders Contribute to fundraising and other income generating initiatives Contribute to the development and implementation of organisation wide initiatives, policies and plans Represent NML across the museum sector Contribute to the development of collections related partnership working with national and local museums, universities and other partners Provide development opportunities for apprentices, volunteers, students and professionals through placements, internships and programmes General duties A commitment to adhere to the standards expected of all public services as defined by the HM Treasury publication “Managing Public Money”. Those standards are honesty, impartiality, accountability, openness, accuracy, reliability, transparency, objectivity, integrity and fairness. These standards should be carried out in the spirit of, as well as the letter of, the law; in the public interest; to high ethical standards and achieving value for money. Develop NML’s commitment to Equality and Diversity and promote non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken. Adhere to National Museums Liverpool’s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures, National Museums Liverpool’s access and Safeguarding policy as well as other appropriate practices and guidelines. Contribute to the management, discussion and communication of risk as appropriate to your role. Ensure you follow, adhere to and implement (where appropriate) effective controls for policies, processes and systems within your department, directorate and for the organisation. Assist with the supervision of volunteers and work placement students, undertaking periodic appraisal and facilitating their training in association with IS staff and NML’s Volunteer Coordinator. Undertake additional duties, as required, from time to time. Take responsibility for personally participating in the Performance Development & Review process. Undertake training and development courses and programmes, as required. Show the highest integrity and confidentiality in the pursuance of these duties. The details contained in this job description reflect the content of this job at the date of publication. It is however possible that over time the nature of the job will change. Consequently NML may revise this job description from time to time and will consult with the post holder at the appropriate time of being prepared.