Director of Conservation

Summary:

The Director of Conservation provides visionary leadership in safeguarding and preserving the Saint Louis Art Museum's renowned collection. This senior role sets strategic vision, administrative oversight, and expert guidance for all conservation initiatives, ensuring the highest ethical and professional standards in the care, treatment and technical analysis of works of art. The Director works collaboratively across departments, actively contributing to institutional initiatives, research projects, and fostering a culture of excellence in collections stewardship.

Overseeing every aspect of the Museum's conservation program, the Director works collaboratively across departments to advance institutional priorities, research projects, and public engagement with the collection. The position plays a key role in programmatic, collecting, and scholarly initiatives, fostering a reputation for artistic excellence, scientific rigor, and innovative conservation practices.

The Director manages both the day-to-day and long-term operations of the conservation department, supervising professional conservators, support staff, fellows, and interns. Responsibilities include strategic planning, budget oversight, and cultivating a culture of excellence in collections stewardship. Representing the Museum to the broader conservation community and other external constituencies, the Director serves as a leading voice in the field and an advocate for the preservation of cultural heritage.

The Saint Louis Art Museum has an encyclopedic collection of more than 37,000 works. The Conservation Department includes a 6-member team with four conservators and two technicians working in labs dedicated to Objects, Paintings, Paper, Textiles, and Matting/Framing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership & Department Management:

• Lead and manage the daily operations of a collaborative Conservation Team, support the department endeavors ensuring efficient workflows and adherence to best practices.
• Provide expert oversight for all conservation treatments on the Museum's collection, whether performed by in-house staff or external contractors, ensuring compliance with the American Institute for Conservation's (AIC) Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice, and the Museum's Collections Management policy.
• Performs job functions of a Senior Conservator in their area of expertise.
• Collaborate closely with the Deputy Director and Chief Curator and other Collections division Directors to develop and implement robust policies, procedures, and strategies for ethical and responsible collection stewardship.
• Ensure adherence to the highest safety and sustainability standards for both artworks and personnel during all conservation activities, including monitor and update protocols for the safe utilization of conservation materials, chemicals, and equipment, prioritizing employee health and safety.
• Oversee and update departmental protocols for documentation related to the examination and treatment of artworks.
• Partner with department conservators and the Registration and Art Preparation & Installation departments to develop and implement artwork handling guidelines and provide regular training to relevant staff.
• Lead recruitment, retention, and performance management for conservation staff, including interns, fellows, and contract conservators, fostering a strong and skilled team.
• Act as a Museum courier for domestic and international travel, ensuring the safe transport of artworks.
• Provide recommendations to the Director of Registration and the Director of Art Preparation & Installation for the maintenance and future development of collection storage areas.
• Oversee client service projects for Board Members, and local collectors, as part of the Museum's cultivation efforts.

2. Collection Care & Preservation Planning:

• Develop and monitor the implementation of annual and multi-year assessment and treatment plans aligned with the Museum's strategic goals and budgets.
• Collaborate with the Director of Exhibitions, Director of Registration, Director of Art Preparation & Installation, and Facilities staff to enhance operational efficiency while prioritizing the safety and integrity of the collections.
• Direct preventative conservation and maintenance of the collection, working cross-functionally with Design, Exhibitions, Registration, Art Preparation & Installation, and Facilities staff to address environmental conditions, handling, storage, display, and installation at all levels-from building-wide to individual objects.
• Work closely with curatorial staff to develop conservation strategies for special exhibitions (both internal and external) to ensure the safety and proper care of all artworks.
• Proactively engage in collection installations to ensure the safety and proper care of artworks displayed at the Museum or on loan from other institutions.
• Develop comprehensive plans for monitoring the condition of artworks in storage and on display.
• Actively participate in emergency and disaster planning, serving as a key member of the Museum's Emergency Team.

3. Research & Professional Engagement:

• Plan and coordinate the scientific analysis of artworks within the collection or on loan.
• Facilitate research on individual artworks, technical art history projects, and treatment protocol development.
• Coordinate the analysis and review of potential acquisitions, including technical examinations and artist interviews.
• Continuously enhance professional knowledge through ongoing education and active participation in national and international organizations and conferences.
• Disseminate conservation knowledge by serving as a resource to the Museum's community partners and the general public.
• Represent the Museum with a positive and professional image to professional colleagues and the broader community, fostering productive communication among conservators, registrars, curators, and all levels of staff.

4. Budget Management:

• Develop and manage departmental operating, project, and program budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support conservation activities, including working with the development department on grant and institutional fund proposals, management, and reporting.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree from a recognized art conservation training program, or the equivalent.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience as a practicing conservator, with a specialization in a specific discipline of museum conservation, preferred experience in administration and staff supervision.
• Demonstrated leadership experience at a senior level with high responsibility and accountability.
• Proven ability to motivate and lead experienced conservators and effectively mentor entry- and mid-level professionals.
• Strong organizational, planning, and interpersonal skills with a collaborative approach to working with staff, leadership, board members, and donors.
• Ability to generate and manage project and operational budgets.
• Comprehensive understanding of current conservation and museum practices, methodologies, and the resources needed to support collection care and treatment.
• Strong knowledge of internationally accepted ethical standards and guidelines of practice in art conservation.
• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience with conservation treatments of painting, paper, photographs, textiles, and/or three-dimensional objects.
• Advanced knowledge of chemical and physical properties of conservation materials and deterioration processes.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical journals, construction documents, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; knowledge of a foreign language is a plus.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports and business correspondence, effectively present information, and respond to inquiries and requests from museum staff, outside organizations, and the general public.
• Proficiency with collection management databases; TMS is preferred.

Additional Details:

Hiring Range: $135,098 - $172,250/year, commensurate with experience

Status: Regular, full-time

Benefits: Full, competitive benefits package, including 4 weeks' vacation, parental leave, and a robust wellness program.

Learn more about our Wellness Program and Competitive Benefits!

The Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience, without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.