Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Head of Conservation has primary responsibility for the conservation of the art museum's collection broadly, and for overseeing the range of activities centered in the museum’s three conservation laboratories, as well as collaborations with curators and other internal departments and external institutions. The Head Conservator oversees the operations of the conservation department, which is staffed by three other full-time conservators, as well as temporary and seasonal fellows, interns, and volunteers.

The Head Conservator will perform examinations, prepare treatment proposals, undertake scientific analysis and imaging, and execute treatment of works of art for display, loan, acquisition, and deaccession. The Head Conservator also takes part in institutional planning, setting, and maintaining effective policies with respect to the care, treatment, and installation of the collection, and to the operation of the museum's facilities. They represent the institution to a broad range of external constituencies, including the Cincinnati community and the conservation profession, and uphold the highest ethical and professional standards in fulfillment of the mission of the Cincinnati Art Museum.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

General responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Monitors conservation treatments on objects in the Art Museum's collection done by staff conservators and, whenever appropriate, by contract conservators.
• Undertakes conservation treatments and technical study of art objects and paintings in the Museum’s collection.
• Plans and coordinates conservation approvals and treatment proposals in response to loan requests.
• Plans and coordinates, as needed, the scientific analysis of works of art in the collection by the art museum's conservators or by contract conservators or scientists, and its documentation.
• Works closely with the Facilities Management to ensure that the museum's physical plant is managed in a manner that provides for the safety and proper care of the collection, ranging from special event protocols to environmental systems.
• Monitors adherence to protocols for the handling, movement, storage, and utilization of Conservation's materials and equipment in a manner that protects the health of the Conservation staff and ensures their safety.
• Upholds the professional standards and guidelines of practice of their field and always acts in the best interests of the museum, its reputation, and its standing within the community of museums.
• Engages with the public, representing the conservation department and the museum in various public forums, educational programs, and community outreach initiatives.
• Initiates and actively supports fellowship and internship opportunities within the department to foster the development of future conservation professionals and to contribute to the betterment of the museum and the field of conservation.
• Other projects and duties as assigned or as needed.

REQUIREMENTS

• B.A. or B.S. from a four-year college or university with a major in Chemistry, Art History, or a related major course of study.
• Advanced degree(s) from an accredited conservation training graduate school program.
• Eight to ten (8-10) years of art object conservation experience.
• High familiarity with both traditional and modern conservation methods.
• Strong skills in the scientific analysis of artworks, including the use of microscopy, spectroscopy, and other diagnostic tools to assess the condition and composition of works of art.
• Basic knowledge of all conservation specialties.
• Strong leadership, conceptual, written, and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise as well as to work successfully with others, e.g., museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies in a large general art museum.
• Proven ability to manage a variety of tasks concurrently in a complex environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Eight to ten (8-10) years of paintings conservation experience.
• Advanced degree(s) from an accredited conservation training graduate school program, with paintings conservation specialization.
• Proficiency in a range of paintings conservation techniques and materials, including cleaning, consolidation, inpainting, and varnishing. Advanced knowledge of best practices in the field.
• Previous experience in a museum preferred.
• Previous staff supervision experience with conservation team of three or more.

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