Job Description

21,794.76 per annum based on the FTE of 36,324.60

Part time / 24 hours and 3 days per week (flexible working required to support couriering)

Permanent

Role Purpose:

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.


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.



To read the full job description, please follow the link: International Projects Conservator JD

Key Experience, Skills and Criteria:

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.

We offer a competitive benefits package, including:

Generous pension scheme 27 days annual leave allowance, in addition to bank holidays Interest free season ticket and bicycle loans Rental deposit scheme Employee assistance programme Free entry to many UK museums, galleries and exhibitions Staff discounts on purchases in online shop Professional & personal development opportunities

Closing date

for returned applications is

9:00am on 24th of November.

First round interviews

will take place on the

1st of December

via Microsoft Teams/ in person. Please indicate on the notes section of your application form, if you will be unable to make these dates.



We are committed to the employment and development of disabled people. When assessing and shortlisting our candidate pool for interviews, we are committed to removing any bias through our process to ensure all individuals with a disability are included. To be invited to the interview stage, you must show through your application that you meet the minimum criteria and/or the desirable skills required for the role. If you tell us that you have a disability we can make reasonable adjustments at interview, and, if you join us, to your work arrangements.

Application due

24/11/2025

Start date

As soon as possible

Work hours

24

Position type

Exhibitions and Collections

Homepage

npg.org.uk


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