Full-Time Position Contract: fixed term - 12 months
Location:
London, England
Closing Date:
Sunday, 23rd March 2025
Job Ref No:
Job Description
Collections Care Conservator – Parliamentary Art Collection
Location: Hybrid (on-site and remote)
Leave entitlement: Starting at 30 days per annum, pro-rata
UK Parliament
Working at the UK Parliament offers a unique and rewarding career at the heart of the UK’s democratic system.
With a wide range of roles available, our impartial colleagues enable the day to day running of the House of Commons, House of Lords and Joint Departments. Together, we make Parliament happen. More information on what it’s like to work at the House of Commons can be found here: Be at the heart of the House of Commons - UK Parliament
Staff Benefits
In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:
• 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year).
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
• Access to training and development.
• Flexible working.
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.
Introduction
The Strategic Estates team takes great pride in caring for and improving the buildings of Parliament, ensuring a comfortable, safe, and efficient environment for Members, their staff, and visitors. As part of this, the Heritage Collections Team (HCT) is responsible for the professional management of three nationally and internationally significant collections, including the Parliamentary Art Collection (PAC).
With Parliament's Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme underway, this is a crucial time for heritage conservation. Over the next decade, a significant number of collection items will be decanted, conserved, and redisplayed to preserve the estate’s historic value.
The Role
The Collections Care Conservator will support the care and conservation of the Parliamentary Art Collection, working closely with the PAC Collections Conservation Manager and the wider Heritage Collections Team (HCT). The role involves overseeing preventive conservation initiatives, commissioning specialist conservation work, and ensuring best practice standards are upheld across the collection.
Some of the key responsibilities for this role include:
• Leading preventive conservation and heritage cleaning programmes, including commissioning surveys and conservation work.
• Managing environmental monitoring, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and dust/vibration monitoring projects.
• Supporting the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme to ensure collection care aligns with wider estate management plans.
• Ensuring accurate conservation documentation and maintaining records in collection management systems.
• Contributing to emergency salvage planning and responding to salvage events.
Skills and Experience
To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:
• Conservation expertise – Experience in a responsible conservation role within a museum, gallery, historic building, or fine art conservation studio.
• Specialist knowledge – Understanding of conservation processes and working with a range of media such as paper, paintings, sculpture, and textiles.
• Project management skills – Ability to plan, organise, and prioritise conservation projects, particularly in relation to collections development and displays.
• Decision-making and problem-solving – Strong time management and the ability to respond effectively to emergencies and fast-paced challenges.
• Communication and influencing skills – Ability to explain technical conservation matters to non-specialist audiences and advocate for best practices.
Next Steps and Additional Information
More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description.
Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.
Please ensure that you anonymise your application by removing any identifiable factors from your CV or Supporting Statement.
We may close the vacancy prior to the closing date stated due to a high volume of applications.
