Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for preserving history?
Join Imperial War Museums (IWM) as Head of Preservation (Maternity Cover) and lead the charge in safeguarding extraordinary collections across our sites in London, Duxford, and Salford. You’ll work closely with conservators, stakeholders, and partners to deliver risk-aware, sector-leading preservation strategies that protect our heritage for future generations.
About the Role
- Lead the delivery of IWM’s Priority Preservation Strategy and Collections Care Programme.
- Manage budgets (typically £600K), contracts, and external suppliers.
- Oversee environmental monitoring, hazardous collections, and disaster recovery planning.
- Represent IWM at national conservation forums and conferences.
- Inspire and manage a skilled team across multiple sites, ensuring high standards and compliance.
About You
We’re looking for a Preservation professional with:
- A postgraduate qualification in museum studies, preservation, or related field.
- Proven experience managing complex projects, budgets, and teams.
- Strategic vision and operational expertise in preservation across diverse media.
- A collaborative leadership style and commitment to best practice.
- Eligibility to work with hazardous materials (clear DBS and no drug convictions).
This role is open to external applicants, and we also welcome interest from internal candidates who may wish to apply on a secondment basis.