Current Opportunities

Position: Chief Conservator
Job Code: 4122
Grade: J
Exemption: Exempt

Note: Not all unique aspects of the job are covered by this job description

Job Purpose:
The Cantor Arts Center seeks an experienced conservator with a specialty in either painting, paper, or three-dimensional objects to help build a conservation program, and lead conservation planning, programming, and implementation for the museum. The Chief Conservator will be responsible for the care and treatment of the museum’s art collections, with advanced knowledge of profession-wide principles and methods used in the preservation, restoration and conservation of art. The Chief Conservator will assume a vital role in institutional initiatives and research projects, and provide strategic and administrative leadership for the department.

The Chief Conservator will help hire and supervise a staff of trained conservators for a broad range of activities including conservation assessment and treatment of collections, support for ambitious exhibition and loan programs, disaster planning and response, and environmental monitoring. In addition, the Chief Conservator will oversee the museum’s established Art and Science Learning Lab, which provides opportunities for scientific research and dissemination within the field of conservation and conservation science through the Stanford departments of materials science, chemistry and chemical engineering, physics, and the nanosciences.

Reporting to the John and Jill Freidenrich Director, the Chief Conservator will collaborate with the museum’s Curatorial and Collections teams, and work closely with staff throughout the museum to ensure the smooth integration and timely completion of conservation and preservation activities.

About us:
Cantor Arts Center boasts a proud and venerable history. Conceived with the founding of Stanford University in 1891, the museum opened in 1894, serving the University and the broader community. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the museum, necessitating its closure to the public. In 1995 groundbreaking for a major new wing and restoration of the historic building began in earnest with the revitalized museum opening in 1999 as the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Center for the Visual Arts. The Cantor offers approximately 50,000 square feet of exhibition space, as well as classrooms and other study spaces for students and faculty. The Cantor’s collection spans 5,000 years and includes more than 38,000 works of art from around the globe. Collections include art from Europe and America, both historical and contemporary; Asia, primarily Japan and China; Africa; Oceania; historical works from Mexico, Central America, and South America; the Stanford Family Collection; and public sculpture on the Stanford campus.

Core Duties:

• Supervise the activities of the Conservation department and Art and Science Learning Lab, set goals, foster staff development and review performance
• Plan, perform and document conservation treatments for a broad range of objects
• Establish priorities in consultation with director, curators, registrars, and collections and exhibitions staff
• Coordinate workflows and manage daily operation of the conservation laboratory
• Prepare condition assessments of items and collections; advise on conservation needs and options
• Make recommendations regarding objects proposed for exhibition and loan
• Train and provide guidance for museum staff in object handling, preservation decision-making and physical care workflow
• Coordinate preventive care
• Hire and oversee specialist contract conservators to perform treatment on objects outside of the realm of expertise of on-staff conservators
• Maintain an effective disaster/emergency response and recovery plan, in consultation with the Director of Collections & Exhibitions, Collections Manager, and Director of Security; may lead recovery activities
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices
• Maintain program metrics, prepare reports, and contribute to funding applications
• Oversee research, evaluation, recommendation and procurement of specialized equipment, supplies and services
• Contribute to space planning and collection storage initiatives
• Remain current in conservation practices and trends in the profession
• Perform advanced scholarly research in the conservation field
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with local, national, and international colleagues
• *Other duties may also be assigned

Qualifications:

• MA in conservation or equivalent degree
• 7 years of experience in conservation, which 2 of those years are in a lead or supervisory capacity
• Combination of education and relevant experience may be considered

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and direct teams
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines
• Advanced knowledge of chemical and physical properties of conservation materials and deterioration processes
• Expert knowledge of conservation history, ethics and methodology
• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated experience with complex conservation treatment of painting, paper, photographs, textiles, and/or three-dimensional objects
• Advanced knowledge of preservation issues in cultural institutions preferred
• Demonstrated accomplishment in conservation research and writing preferred
• Expert knowledge of emergency preparedness and emergency response procedures
• Experience with emerging technologies in conservation practice preferred
• Knowledge of art history preferred

Physical Requirements*

• Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, seated work and use grasp lightly/fine manipulation.
• Frequently stand, walk, and write by hand, use telephone.
• Frequently lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.
• * - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Working Conditions:

• May work extended or non-standard hours, weekends and holidays based on business needs.
• Occasional local and overnight travel may be required.
• May work in areas with exposure to dust, paint, chemicals and other toxins.

Work Standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

Apply here: https://careersearch.stanford.edu/jobs/chief-conservator-3323