Your role will encompass:
Managerial duties
You will lead a team of 12 conservators in resolving the challenges they encounter. This will involve imparting new experiences and insights, fostering growth in the team as a whole. You will create and maintain an atmosphere of trust and safety in the workplace. In practice, your tasks will include:
- leading the team of painting and frame conservators;
- developing a vision for annual plans;
- contributing to the vision and strategy of the Conservation and Science department;
- drafting operational plans and budgets;
- coordinating implementation plans with the internal and external parties concerned;
- managing the departmental budget;
- leading and contributing to projects. Both within the department and across the museum.
Conservation
Extensive research has been conducted on The Night Watch in recent years. As part of this process, a number of decisions have been taken affecting the future of the painting. You have joint responsibility for this process. This may involve appearances in the media. You are also responsible for:
- conducting and overseeing the conduction of conservation work at the highest possible level;
- safeguarding the physical condition of the various sub-collections;
- assessing the physical condition of objects for the purposes of acquisition, lending and exhibition.
Scientific research and representing the museum
In recent years, a large amount of innovative scientific research material emanating from the conservation studio have been publicised in collaboration with the Science department. It is of key importance that conservators remain inspired to continue this process. Specific components of your role in this area include:
- initiating and leading research projects;
- submitting or co-submitting research outputs to leading journals;
- representing the museum in international networks on scholarly and museum-related matters.
What will you bring to the role?
This role requires a blend of strong management skills and preferably a solid background in the conservation of paintings. This combination of qualities will ensure the continued excellence of the work carried out at the studio. We are looking for someone with outstanding communication skills who is responsive to the particular context of the organisation. Other requirements include:
- academic training in conservation and restoration, preferably specialising in paintings;
- experience leading a group of professionals;
- experience coordinating and supervising major conservation projects;
- experience conducting complex conservation work using the latest and/or yet to be developed methods and equipment;
- excellent command of English and Dutch (or preparedness to learn Dutch in the first year).
