Heritage Collections Frames Conservator

2nd July 2023 at 23:55

House of Commons

The House of Commons a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system.

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:

• 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year).
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
• Access to training and development.
• Flexible working.
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.

Introduction

The Heritage Collections Frames Conservator sits in the Heritage Collections Team (HCT) within Strategic Estates (SE). The HCT are responsible for the professional management of three collections of national and international importance: the Parliamentary Art Collection (PAC), the Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts Collection (HFDA) and the Architectural Fabric Collection (AFC). This Team provides a bicameral service to the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is responsible for all aspects of strategy, display, collections management, care and conservation, technical and procedural standards, documentation, loans and interpretation.

The PAC includes over 10,000 artworks, the majority are on display across the Parliamentary Estate and consist of paintings, sculptures, works on paper and other media ranging from ceramics to textiles, medals and political collectables. HFDA includes over 11,000 objects including historic furniture, clocks, silver and ceramics. It is a working collection with many objects in daily use across the Parliamentary Estate fulfilling the role for which they were designed and made. The AFC includes over 4,500 items which were commissioned for the Palace of Westminster but have been detached from the built fabric and historic interiors.

The Role

The Heritage Collections Frames Conservator will be specifically responsible for undertaking practical conservation framing for exhibitions, displays, loans and acquisitions for the HCT. They will support the administration and materials ordering for framing programmes as well as supporting salvage response. Working closely with the Collections Conservation Manager, they will work independently and be responsible for setting programme priorities, time management, liaison with other HCT colleagues, conservation contractors and internal and external stakeholders.

The HC Frame Conservator will be based primarily on the Parliamentary Estate or off-site conservation studio and will be expected to attend meetings and participate in team activities, with protected time for practical work. The expectation is that this will be around 60 percent studio-based, 40 percent administrative.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Undertake assessment, condition checking and remedial and preventive conservation treatments of frames in the Parliamentary Art Collection
• Provide specialist support for the preservation and conservation programme for frames in the Parliamentary Art Collection
• Lead on prioritising and planning the frames conservation programme, consulting with HCT colleagues and stakeholders as required

Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• Heritage professional - Conservator with significant experience of co-ordinating frame conservation projects in a museum, art gallery, historic house, working building, or fine art conservation studio
• Practical experience in the conservation and preparation of frames both modern and historic
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise conservation projects and associated documentation including managing several workstreams, problem-solving and taking initiative
• Experience in procurement and coordinating external contractors and suppliers
• Demonstrable ability to advocate for conservation best practice, dealing tactfully and confidently with stakeholders at all levels both internally and externally
• Ability to communicate technical information to a diverse and non-specialist audience including within the HCT and with wider parliamentary colleagues, both orally and in writing

Next Steps and Additional Information

• Application Form - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 1-5 in the Job Description.

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description.

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.