Job Description
The Director of Conservation is responsible for the management of the museum’s conservation department. This senior-level role is a key leadership position, guiding the museum’s conservation program in support of the museum’s exhibitions, collections, public and patron programs, and research initiatives. The Director of Conservation oversees and manages the conservation team, including contract conservators, and the steady operation and implementation of conservation efforts across PEM’s campus, including the assessments, treatments, and research of the museum’s global collection to advance its care and preservation.
This position upholds the highest professional standards, including adherence to the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice, and plays a strategic role in implementing preventive care and sustainable conservation protocols across the museum.
Reporting to the Director of Collection Services and collaborating as an integral part of the Collection Services senior leadership team, this position works closely with department heads in Curatorial, Collection Management, Registration, the Library, Exhibition Planning and Design, and Facilities to define institutional standards, establish and implement strategic plans, and develop policies and procedures in support of the overall care and preservation of the museum collection and its display.
The Director of Conservation will have primary responsibility for the development of PEM’s conservation program by establishing and re-defining the department’s operational framework, as well as by developing and building a conservation team to support the museum’s varied collections and programs. In addition, and especially until the department is fully staffed, the Director of Conservation will manage a wide network of established independent contract conservators, help to identify new contractors as needed, and oversee all contract conservation work, ensuring adherence to institutional protocols and standards of practice. There is also an opportunity to build a fellowship program for emerging talent in the conservation field.
The Director of Conservation will work closely with the Executive Team, Development, the Director of the Collection Center and Collection Stewardship, and the Chief Curator to raise funds that advance the museum goals related to the collection, the conservation program, and the James B. and Mary Lou Hawkes Collection Center.
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A Master's degree in conservation from a recognized conservation training program, with a specialization in objects conservation. PhD or additional training in conservation science or preventive conservation is a plus.
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Ten years of experience as a conservator is required; art or object-based museum experience preferred.
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Five years of supervisory, budget, and project management experience is required, preferably in a museum conservation or private conservation lab setting.
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Evidence of scholarship such as publications, presentations, or participation in national/international research collaborations.
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A demonstrated ability to lead and conduct historic and materials research.
The Director of Conservation is responsible for the management of the museum’s conservation department. This senior-level role is a key leadership position, guiding the museum’s conservation program in support of the museum’s exhibitions, collections, public and patron programs, and research initiatives. The Director of Conservation oversees and manages the conservation team, including contract conservators, and the steady operation and implementation of conservation efforts across PEM’s campus, including the assessments, treatments, and research of the museum’s global collection to advance its care and preservation.
This position upholds the highest professional standards, including adherence to the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice, and plays a strategic role in implementing preventive care and sustainable conservation protocols across the museum.
Reporting to the Director of Collection Services and collaborating as an integral part of the Collection Services senior leadership team, this position works closely with department heads in Curatorial, Collection Management, Registration, the Library, Exhibition Planning and Design, and Facilities to define institutional standards, establish and implement strategic plans, and develop policies and procedures in support of the overall care and preservation of the museum collection and its display.
The Director of Conservation will have primary responsibility for the development of PEM’s conservation program by establishing and re-defining the department’s operational framework, as well as by developing and building a conservation team to support the museum’s varied collections and programs. In addition, and especially until the department is fully staffed, the Director of Conservation will manage a wide network of established independent contract conservators, help to identify new contractors as needed, and oversee all contract conservation work, ensuring adherence to institutional protocols and standards of practice. There is also an opportunity to build a fellowship program for emerging talent in the conservation field.
The Director of Conservation will work closely with the Executive Team, Development, the Director of the Collection Center and Collection Stewardship, and the Chief Curator to raise funds that advance the museum goals related to the collection, the conservation program, and the James B. and Mary Lou Hawkes Collection Center.
-
A Master's degree in conservation from a recognized conservation training program, with a specialization in objects conservation. PhD or additional training in conservation science or preventive conservation is a plus.
-
Ten years of experience as a conservator is required; art or object-based museum experience preferred.
-
Five years of supervisory, budget, and project management experience is required, preferably in a museum conservation or private conservation lab setting.
-
Evidence of scholarship such as publications, presentations, or participation in national/international research collaborations.
-
A demonstrated ability to lead and conduct historic and materials research.
About Peabody Essex Museum
PEM boldly honors creativity as a nourishing force in people’s lives.
We offer thought-provoking experiences of the arts, humanities and sciences to activate understanding of our shared humanity and to empower imagination and learning through experimentation. We steward, build and make our collections accessible to encourage appreciation of the interconnected histories and creativity of people in our complex, always changing world.
As a museum that celebrates creativity to advance our shared humanity, we aspire to be an inclusive, equitable cultural organization that motivates, connects, and empowers people through inquiry, empathy, and dialogue. We strive to create and sustain a sense of belonging and to nurture our ability to build bridges.
We acknowledge that the role of global trade in PEM’s predecessor organizations warrants careful consideration. We commit to being aware and appreciative of differences in order to prevent overlooking, hurting, or excluding anyone. We will continue to work purposefully to remove barriers, whether physical, emotional, or social, so that PEM offers everyone welcoming spaces and experiences where they feel seen, heard, and treated with dignity and respect.
Everyone at PEM has a role to play in bringing this commitment to life. We will use this commitment statement as a guide in our ongoing work, which includes sharing the accomplishments, setbacks, and challenges of our DEIA journey.
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