Head of Conservation

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MASP is Seeking a Head of Conservation

Application deadline: Not specified

This individual will be responsible for planning, organizing, and coordinating preventive conservation and restoration activities for artworks in the MASP’s collection or under its custody. Responsibilities include conducting collection diagnostics; defining risk management programs and emergency planning related to the collection; developing conservation and restoration guidelines; providing preventive conservation guidance to those responsible for the museum’s exhibitions; identifying, developing, managing, and executing restoration projects with national and international partners; overseeing artworks in transit; defining roles and responsibilities and managing the team of conservators; leading the drafting and/or revision of conservation plans and procedures, identifying opportunities for continuous process improvement.

Responsibilities

Preventive Conservation and Risk Management: Define preventive conservation parameters; coordinate the monitoring of air conditioning and lighting; collaborate with other teams in risk assessment and management and emergency planning; guide other teams to maintain ideal storage and exhibition conditions, handling, packaging, and storage; offer technical assistance to resolve conservation issues in museum galleries.
Conservation and Restoration: Lead the execution of collection diagnostics and surveys, defining conservation and restoration priorities; coordinate the implementation of condition assessments of artworks (for acquisitions, loans, exhibitions, etc.); define the necessary scientific methods and analyses and systematize the interpretation of the results; perform structural and/or aesthetic conservation and restoration interventions on artworks; prepare proposals, dossiers, and comprehensive study and treatment reports.
Partnership Projects: Establish institutional and scientific partnerships (national and international); recommend suitable professionals with the appropriate profile for each type of artwork; draft and manage projects; administer and monitor ongoing treatments and guide the most appropriate treatment method; ensure an exemplary level in the execution of restorations of the collection’s artworks.
Artwork Escorting/Couriering: Accompany collection artworks in transit (courier); provide support to couriers from other institutions.
Conservation Standards: Develop and revise Conservation and Restoration policies, plans, and procedures, ensuring their application in daily activities.
Team Management: Establish the professional profiles of the area’s collaborators; define roles and responsibilities; promote the continuous development of employees’ skills and knowledge.

Requirements & Qualifications

Postgraduate degree (Masters or PhD) in Conservation and Restoration of cultural heritage with specialization in European painting restoration.
Experience in Conservation and Restoration, preferably in museums, including significant research, publications, or other academic work, and expertise in restoration treatments. Proven experience in team and process management.
Advanced knowledge in Conservation and Restoration of European painting. Desirable knowledge in modern and contemporary art.
Advanced knowledge in scientific analysis in conservation (application and interpretation).
Advanced knowledge in Preventive Conservation (storage, packaging, transportation, risk assessment and management, emergency planning, climate control, pest control).
Advanced knowledge of agents and processes of deterioration of cultural heritage.
Advanced knowledge of Art History of Technics and Materials.
Advanced knowledge in the History and Ethical Principles of Conservation and Restoration.
Advanced knowledge in the assessment of conservation conditions, and condition reports..
Advanced knowledge in project planning and management.
Specific knowledge in Conservation documentation.
General knowledge of preparation, framing, and mounting techniques for artworks.
Advanced knowledge of international Conservation and Restoration standards.
Advanced knowledge in Conservation Policies and Plans.
Familiarity with best practices in museum health and safety.
Office Suite: advanced;
Fluent English;
Intermediate Portuguese
Other languages: desirable.

Image credits: By Mauro Cateb – Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0