Conservation Manager

• You will contribute to managing a Conservation Service for public orders, digitisation and internal or small-scale displays. Contribute to the management and delivery of temporary exhibition programmes, in accordance with current loan agreements and meet agreed conservation standards for display and transit.

• Contribute to procurement, including writing tender documents; procuring services for specific equipment maintenance and looking for sustainable options to deliver on the HES Climate Action Plan.

• Undertake research and development in specialist conservation areas.

• Your input is essential to deliver the outcomes of HES’ Corporate plan, particularly that the historic environment will be looked after, protected and managed for the generations to come

• Ensure that the Conservation Service enables public access through improving the condition of objects to be handled in the Search Room or prepared for safe digitisation for online access.

• Contribute to and lead tours of the conservation and strong room facilities as part of engagement with audiences (external and internal).

• Contribute to the development and revision of departmental policies and effective operational processes.

• Responsible for the provision and dissemination of relevant conservation standards and procedures to ensure better care and condition of the archive, and for providing staff training to ensure the standards are communicated and upheld, including managing improvements on areas such as display, condition, environment and access.

• Using your knowledge of the content of the archive, you will answer enquiries and contribute to and sometimes lead on the development of research, exhibition, writing articles and publications which promote the archive to encourage use and engagement by a wide range of audiences.

• Work both internally and externally to build and manage stakeholder relationships to ensure collections care standards are met, and it is expected that you will travel to visit off-site locations, external stakeholders or to represent HES at conferences or events.

• As one of the managers in the Department, you have a role to play in the overall management of the Archives Department, contributing to the implementation and delivery of organisational plans.

• You will also be expected to work with and manage or supervise contractors and to work with Facilities in matters relating to maintenance of the strong rooms. This will include making sure that contractors are briefed, supervised and follow set protocols on storage, handling, transit and risk.

• Provide specialist advice and training on all matters of conservation and collections care (including incident response and risk management) to Archive Staff as well as other relevant departments across HES responsible for the care of cultural heritage, and on occasion to external audiences.

• Other duties as requested by the Head or Deputy Head of Archives.

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to submit a cover letter which addresses how you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 1,200 words), using examples of where you have demonstrated these criteria previously. Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance here first before completing, as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential:

• A recognised qualification in Paper Conservation or other relevant conservation discipline.
• Significant knowledge and understanding of the ethics, principles, standards and best practice of the conservation profession.
• Demonstrable experience of managing a conservation studio, with strong knowledge and skills in paper, photographic, and preventive conservation.
• People management experience
• Good knowledge, skills and experience of working in an archive setting, including demonstrable ability to provide support, advice and advocate, in a cultural heritage setting
• Demonstrable experience of project management, setting up and managing work programmes, as well as including commissioning and overseeing contractors.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities
• Excellent IT skills including email management, word processing (writing high quality reports), good knowledge of Excel and experienced in database documentation.
• Experience of managing and delivering exhibition programmes.
• Experience of implementation of Archive Accreditation Standards
• Full UK Driving License or if non-UK driving license holder a willingness to convert within first 12 months of employment
• Knowledge and experience of managing risk management procedures and assessment including COSHH alongside completing manual handling tasks and working at height.

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description here.

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at recruit@hes.scot or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.