The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) is a dedicated museum that showcases the exquisite artefacts from Palace Museum’s collections and collaborates with other museums in research, exhibitions, education and public programmes. The museum comprises 7 600 square metres of gallery space for standing and special exhibitions on Palace Museum’s collections of paintings, calligraphy, antiquities and historical objects, as well as thematic displays on world cultures and civilisations.
At this exciting time, the HKPM is seeking a Senior Conservator to lead the Museum’s conservation and collection management team. Reporting to Deputy Director, Curatorial and Programming, the incumbent will take a key leadership role and supervise a team of Conservators and Collection Managers to ensure the proper care of the museum’s collections is provided including but not limited to environmental condition, safety and security, storage, etc.,. The Senior Conservator will have strategic and operational responsibility and will work with colleagues across the museum to develop an integrated and proactive approach to conservation and collection care.
(Candidate with less experience may be considered for the posts of Conservator or Collection Manager)
You will be responsible for:
- leading the conservation and collection management team to meet the highest possible standards in preventative and remedial conservation and collection care in support of the museum’s ambitious exhibition and collection building projects;
- supervising and performing conservation work, including examination, conservation assessment, research, treatment, and documentation of objects as well as preparation of objects for exhibition, and ensuring gallery and storage environment is well maintained all the time for the objects;
- taking the lead in exhibition related conservation work, such as condition report and courier trip; advising on climate control, packing materials and methods, display duration and methods, mount-making, framing and matting, and issues related to display cases;
- developing and regularly reviewing guidelines, policies, standards, and procedures for the conservation and care of the museum’s collections as well as incoming and outgoing loans; collaborating with relevant teams to develop emergency plans and disaster preparedness protocols;
- providing input on the design of the new conservation spaces and leading the building of conservation and storage facilities in the new museum building, including the research and procurement of special furniture and equipment for conservation, and collection care and storage;
- developing conservation and collection management budget and monitor expenditures;
- working collaboratively with curators, registrars, exhibition managers, designers, security and safety officers, facility managers, and external stakeholders ensure the proper care of the museum’s collection, loans, and the safety of the museum environment;
- taking an active role in the building and training of the HKPM conservation and collection management team (including staff and interns); providing advice and necessary training to curators, and other HKPM staff; developing collaborative relationship with the teams within HKPM, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, and outside service providers and users;
- playing a leading role in advocating for the development of the conservation and collection management profession in Hong Kong and the region and proactively representing the HKPM in local, regional and international conservation forums; and
- performing other duties as assigned by supervisor when deemed necessary.
You should:
- possess a master’s Degree in Conservation from a recognized college or university, or a certificate from a recognized Conservation Training Programme;
- have at least 8 years of verifiable museum conservation experience (or equivalent) beyond the degree of certificate, preferably in a role of supervisor or trainer for at least 2 years;
- possess a broad range of expert knowledge of and hands-on experience with the techniques, materials, and equipment used in the conservation and scientific research of museum and art objects. Conservation experience with Chinese art or antiquities is preferred;
- have knowledge of the procedures and best practices relating to the examination and preventative and remedial conservation of museum art objects; the environmental and handling requirements for storage, exhibition and travel of objects;
- possess extensive experience with exhibition related conservation matters;
- have proven track record of professional accomplishments in the field of conservation and collection care and management that may include publication, conference papers, and research projects;
- have a good understanding of museum collection management, and possess proficiency in softwares, such as Collection Management System, The Museum System (TMS), and Microsoft Office;
- have the ability to manage risks and evaluate potential solutions to problems and adopt effective courses of action;
- be a strong team-player with excellent leadership, organizational, and diplomatic/negotiation skills, meticulous attention to details and accuracy, as well as the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and manage multiple complex projects concurrently;
- have a local and international network in the field of conservation and scientific research. Experience with Hong Kong and/or Mainland Chinese institutions and collections is a plus; and
- possess good communication skills and proficiency in English. Proficiency in Cantonese and/or Putonghua is a plus.
