Heritage Collections Project Conservator – House of Commons Jobs Waltham Cross

Overview

Position Title:Heritage Collections Project Conservator

Company:  House of Commons

Location: Waltham Cross,UK

Job Description

The Heritage Collections Project Conservator (Norman Shaw North) sits in the Heritage Collections Team (HCT) within In-House Service and Estates (IHSE). The HCT are responsible for the professional management of three collections of national and international importance (the Parliamentary Art Collection (PAC), the Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts (HFDA) Collection and the Architectural Fabric Collection (AFC). This Team provides a bicameral service to the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is responsible for all aspects of strategy, display, collections management, care and conservation, technical and procedural standards, documentation, loans and interpretation.

The PAC includes over 10,000 artworks, the majority are on display across the Parliamentary Estate, and consists of paintings, sculpture, works on paper and other media ranging from ceramics to textiles, medals and political collectibles. HFDA includes over 11,000 objects including historic furniture, clocks, silver and ceramics. It is a working collection with many objects in daily use across the Parliamentary Estate fulfilling the role for which they were designed and made. The AFC includes over 4,500 items which were commissioned for the Palace of Westminster but have been detached from the built fabric and historic interiors.

Responsibilities:

• The Heritage Collections Project Conservator (Norman Shaw North) will be supporting the work of the Heritage Collections Care team predominantly caring for the PAC, working with the Collections Conservation Manager and the wider Heritage Collections Team (HCT).
• The post holder will specifically be responsible for coordinating and managing the conservation and framing of the Norman Shaw North art collection, acting as an HCT representative throughout the delivery of the NSN project.
• They will undertake third-party supplier management working to a set budget to carry out condition surveys, paper conservation, mounting, framing, and preparation for storage or display, ahead of reinstalling the Grade I listed Norman Shaw North building.
• The post holder will develop preventive care initiatives/protocols to reduce the risk of future damage to the Collection arising from its display and engagement.

Requirements:

• Practical experience in the conservation of works on paper, conservation framing, and/or other fine art media
• Proven level of knowledge of collections care and conservation standards, policies and processes preferably in a working environment
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise conservation projects and associated documentation including managing several workstreams
• Ability to problem-solve and take initiative
• Contribute to discussions within the HCT and with wider parliamentary colleagues through close team working. Communicate technical information to a diverse and non-specialist audience both orally and in writing, advocating for HCT
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to deal tactfully and confidently with people at all levels upholding the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion