Plowden & Smith are looking for an experienced and self-motivated Senior Paintings Conservator, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of the Paintings Conservation studio.
The conservator will work with Conservation Management and Client Services to ensure delivery of quality conservation treatments within agreed estimates.
About the Role
- Producing estimates, condition assessments, treatment methodologies and treatment reports.
- Complex treatments of both historic, modern, and contemporary paintings; ranging from those executed on traditional substrates such as canvas and panel, to varied modern materials.
- Undertaking both structural and surface treatments including but not limited to – repair of tears (thread by thread), strip lining, rolling, and re-stretching, removal of varnish and overpaint, surface cleaning, consolidation, filling, retouching, varnishing, and framing, (including climate frames).
- Supporting and mentoring the Paintings Conservators, supervising their work to ensure it is completed on time and to standard.
- Keeping stock of studio materials and pre-empting upcoming project requirements and ensuring these are ordered on time.
- Liaising with the Conservation Manager and Client Services to ensure the smooth running of department workload.
About You
- A qualified paintings conservator with approximately ten years post qualification experience in the conservation of traditional and contemporary paintings.
- Reports are a vital part of this role. A clear, concise writing style and good working knowledge and application of a range of IT systems is necessary.
- Treatments are carried out both in the studio and in situ, requiring the willingness to travel as and when required.
- You will be a personable and effective team leader with excellent communication skills.
- As a supervising senior staff member, you will be confident in making decisions with high value artworks whilst maintaining exceptional ethical standards in your approach to all tasks.
- Relevant knowledge of Health and Safety applicable to the painting studio.
- Robust chemistry for conservation knowledge.
- Good working knowledge of conservation gels and the MCP.
- We handle large and oversized work frequently; ability to manage studio space and safe handling with the team is vital to the role.
How to Apply
To apply for this position please submit a CV, cover letter (no more than one page) and digital portfolio to [email protected] before the role deadline on 29 August 2025.
The role is set to commence in early October 2025.
Successful applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. We cannot support an individual’s visa requirements.