Conservator in Charge, Paintings Conservation

The Conservator in Charge of the Department of Paintings Conservation, one of the museum’s five conservation departments (Objects, Paper, Photographs, Textile) has the academic and administrative responsibility for the conservation and preservation of paintings throughout the Museum in accordance with the highest standards of the profession and leads a team (currently) of twelve staff members.  You should have deep experience in the treatment and technical examination of paintings, and a distinguished record and reputation in the field.  You will work closely with all curatorial departments that house paintings (the American Wing, European Paintings and Modern and Contemporary are the principal departments, but numerous others house collections), to identify the conservation needs of their collections, to establish priorities for treatment, preservation, and the technical study of objects.  In addition, you will organize and oversee the examination of paintings that enter the museum through acquisition, gift, and loan, including loan exhibitions.  You will be involved in decisions relating to the Museum environment, installations, capital projects, exhibitions and storage that involve paintings. Importantly, they will supervise efforts regarding the movement, storage, and treatment of paintings as part of the capital plan to build the Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary art over the next years.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Oversee the work of twelve (current) staff members including ten conservators, plus fellows and interns
• Responsible for future staffing plans, project allocation, professional development, and operating budgets
• Create an environment for teaching and training ground for the next generation of conservators, with an emphasis on developing pathways that reach under represented students.
• Undertake treatment and study of works in their areas of specialization
• Coordinate the examination of paintings for the Museum’s extensive loan and exhibition schedule
• Supervise efforts for the movement, storage, and treatment of paintings during the enabling and installation of the new Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art
• Coordinate and enhance the department’s donor programs (Visiting Committee)
• Encourage and support research, publishing, and innovative approaches that reflect the latest advances in the field
• Liaise with all relevant departments, including Curatorial, Scientific Research, Exhibitions, Registrar, Digital, Publications, Education
• Develop pathways that encourage the entrance of a diverse group of students into the field
• Other related duties as assigned

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in art history and conservation, or the equivalent, with an emphasis on the technical examination and treatment of paintings
• Ten years’ experience in the conservation of paintings including experience with a museum collection
• Demonstrated achievements in conservation treatments, independent research, and publications relating to the collection objects
• Broad understanding of modern conservation practice and its integration with the historical study of objects, proficiency in laboratory methods and familiarity with analytical instrumentation
• A demonstrated ability in teaching and training students
• Strong leadership and Administrative skills along with proven ability to manage staff and resources and to communicate with professionals within and outside the field
• Excellent record in conservation treatment and methods and the use of analytical instrumentation required
• Broad recognition within the field, including internationally
• Commitment to encouraging and supporting research, publishing and innovative approaches that reflect the latest advances in the field
• Commitment to encouraging diversity in the field and to supporting interns and fellows

COMPENSATION RANGE :

• Pay Range : $220,000 – $270,000 / Annual
• The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.

Location Requirements

At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

Benefits Offerings

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
• Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
• Free financial-planning services
• Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
• 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
• A subsidized staff cafeteria
• Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

How to Apply

Click here to apply online

Please include a cover letter with your application.

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.

• Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.
• Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.
• Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.
• Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.
• Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve.

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

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