Jobs

Fixed Term 12 months, Maternity Leave Cover – Full-time (40 hours)

JOB PURPOSE

This role is an exciting opportunity for a qualified conservator to provide collections care across some of the National Trust for Scotland’s most impressive properties located in the North and Highlands of Scotland.

The collections and interiors held by the National Trust for Scotland are historically significant and an important part of the visitor experience at many properties and for many members. The Regional Conservator – North will support Operational Teams in all matters related to preventive & remedial conservation. The post holder will advise on the implementation and continuous monitoring of collections care regimes appropriate to each property for collections on display and in storage. They will support remedial conservation projects, including ‘conservation in action’, loan in and out, temporary displays and exhibitions and will maintain information on all aspects of conservation through the Axiell Collections Management & Conservation System. The job holder will work with colleagues from across the Trust to ensure the preservation of and access to collections & interiors; the creation of conservation information and support the delivery of engagement activity. The post holder will promote the activities of the Collections Management & Conservation team through social media and other channels. The post covers sites across the North-East and Highlands including Inverewe House, Culloden, Brodie Castle, Haddo House, Fyvie Castle, House of Dun etc. Travel between these sites is essential.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Develop and support preventive conservation regimes (IPM, Environmental Monitoring, Object Handling & Moving, Storage etc.), including providing training for collections care staff at properties, working across properties to develop the skills and expertise of these staff so that they can take on conservation responsibilities locally and work together effectively.
• Plan & manage the delivery of remedial conservation projects as required.
• Uphold the Trust’s collection management framework & policies and support the development of conservation related property-specific planning across the Trust.
• Deliver expert advice and analysis to ensure safekeeping and access to Collections & Interiors (both physical and intellectual),
• Engage external consultants and contractors as required for preventive and remedial conservation projects.
• Develop and deliver plans for continuous improvement of collections conservation and care, including the co-ordination of regular collections-related training programmes for relevant staff and volunteers
• Support the development of innovative visitor experiences and engagement activities with collections & interiors at properties, during conservation in action events, through collaborations with other organisations, and through collection conservation narratives online
• As required, contribute collections conservation knowledge to interpretation or learning activities, or to broader initiatives such as national exhibitions or publications.
• Advise on improvements to Environmental Conditions & Systems
• Support properties on ensuring Emergency Plans and equipment are in place and up to date, alongside appropriate training

Other duties which may arise, including managing national programmes, ensuring that any work produced under the umbrella of the Conservation & Policy Directorate is outcome led, focused on delivery, and supports the needs of properties.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Essential Qualifications
• A recognised qualification in remedial or preventive conservation or equivalent experience

Desirable Qualification
• A strong commitment to continuous professional development, including ICON ACR status

Essential Skills & Experience
• Substantial experience of delivering preventive and/or remedial conservation of cultural objects and collections, interior surfaces and fabrics
• A demonstrable level of technical expertise and sound professional judgment
• A full driving licence, current for driving within the United Kingdom, own car, and willingness to travel across Scotland and on occasion abroad.
• An eye for detail and accuracy, in particular data analysis
• Excellent communication, influencing and advocacy skills, with demonstrable experience of building and maintaining relationships within organisations.
• Ability to work longer hours and/or nights away in more distant parts of the country on occasion.
A flexible attitude with an ability to prioritise and re-prioritise workload in the face of changing demands and in the context of a developing and changing organisational environment

Desirable Skills & Experience
• Experience of collections management systems
• Experience of leading training programmes, system development and business change projects
• Demonstrable experience of creating and enabling interpretive and audience-visitor experience solutions and promoting these through presentations, research publishing and the use of social media
• Experience of commissioning contractors, managing projects, and overseeing budgetary spend

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB
• Line management of temporary and project staff, and of volunteers
• Budget management of operational budget up to £50k

The Key Responsibilities, Scope of Job, and Required Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge reflect the requirements of the job at the time of issue. The Trust reserves the right to amend these with appropriate consultation and/or request the post-holder to undertake any activities that it believes to be reasonable within the broad scope of the job or his/her general abilities.

Application Deadline: Friday 28/10/2022