The National Portrait Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world, starting with its unparalleled collection of Tudor panel paintings, and continuing through to present day contemporary portraiture.
Artists represented include: Sir Anthony van Dyck; Joshua Reynolds; Thomas Gainsborough; Lucian Freud; David Hockney. Conservation plays a lead role in the care and preservation of the collection, helping to ensure public access and substantively supporting the Gallery’s strategic objectives and key income-generating programmes.
About the Role
Reporting to the Senior Conservation Manager, this exciting and dynamic role is responsible for delivering conservation support for the Gallery’s international programme of touring Collections exhibitions. You will have a conservation specialism in either Paintings, Works on Paper, Frames, Objects. You will take a lead role providing conservation advice to stakeholders and undertaking treatments and conservation documentation.
Couriering is a key responsibility for this role and will be a significant activity in 2026. Couriering touring exhibitions offers unique opportunities to travel internationally and work collaboratively and rewardingly with partner venue installation teams. You will have the flexibility to adjust work patterns to facilitate extended periods travelling and working internationally. Additional hours worked while couriering are taken as Time Off in Lieu (TOIL).
Key Accountabilities:
- Conservation specialism in either Paintings, Works on Paper, Frames, Objects.
- Assess and treat objects in area of specialism; provide expert advice and guidance on collections care, suitability for loan, and packing and transit.
- Courier responsibilities; accompanying artworks in transit and overseeing exhibition installations and de-installations.
- Represent the National Portrait Gallery; collaborate effectively and supportively with partner venue installation teams.
- Assess and advise on all aspects of environment during transit and at borrowing venues; develop and implement mitigating measures and monitoring strategies.
- Collaboration with International Project Managers; provide conservation advice and support development of future touring exhibitions.
- Digitally document condition assessments and treatments; undertake and manage all conservation loan documentation.
- Help develop and maintain clear and consistent conservation policies and procedures.
- Excellent understanding of Health & Safety and COSHH guidelines applicable to all conservation treatments and activities undertaken.
The above list is indicative but not exhaustive. As such, in addition to the key accountabilities and responsibilities listed the post holder may be required to perform other duties commensurate with the scope and/or level of the role.
About You
- Conservation related BA degree or higher, with at least 3 years relevant experience as a Paintings, Works on Paper, Frames, or Objects conservator.
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of conservation materials and techniques in area of specialism; sound understanding of materials and considerations in other conservation disciplines.
- Proven experience undertaking conservation treatments, and managing a demanding schedule of projects.
- Significant courier experience: accompanying artworks in transit, condition checking, overseeing exhibition installations.
- Flexibility to adjust work patterns to facilitate extended periods travelling and working internationally. Additional hours worked while couriering taken as Time Off in Lieu (TOIL).
- Pragmatic, calm, solution focused.
- Ability to work independently, and collaboratively as part of a team with internal and external colleagues and stakeholders.
- Strong and effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent written skills, with the capacity to produce clear and accurate documentation.
- A proven ability to organise an ambitious and diverse workload, to meet agreed deadlines, and work well under pressure.
- Demonstrable analytical and problem solving skills.
- Good working knowledge of word processing and IT packages, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Excellent working knowledge of Collections Management Systems, and management of digital photography.
- Excellent working knowledge and application of COSHH and Health & Safety guidelines.
How to Apply
To find out more and apply for this role, please visit the National Portrait Gallery Vacancies Site before the deadline on Monday 24 November at 9AM.