Description

Closing Date: 04/01/2026

Salary Range: $169,279 – $197,200

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, invites applications for the position of Head of Object Conservation within the Department of Conservation. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing departmental operations and providing leadership in the research and treatment of objects, including scientific, art historical, and technical analysis. Duties include initiating and supervising staff recruitment, assigning projects, and conducting performance reviews. In collaboration with the Chief of Conservation, this individual will develop and manage budget projections, implement operational efficiencies, update policies and procedures, and prepare funding proposals. Additionally, the Head of Object Conservation will coordinate internships, fellowships, and other mentorship initiatives.

In collaboration with Curatorial, Exhibitions, Publishing, Registrar, and other departments across the Gallery, this individual will actively participate in meetings, evaluate risks, and allocate staff for all activities related to object acquisition assessments, exhibitions, loans, and treatments. They will work jointly on the development of preventive conservation strategies and emergency planning for artworks under their supervision. The incumbent is responsible for comprehensive documentation of treatments and the maintenance of accurate records, ensuring departmental adherence to high standards of documentation through effective use of collections databases.

This position necessitates outstanding oral and written communication abilities to facilitate effective interaction with a wide range of stakeholders both inside and outside the organization. In this leadership capacity, you will foster a collaborative and inquisitive workplace by demonstrating empathy and supporting the ongoing professional development of staff members. The Head of Object Conservation will play a critical role in advancing the department’s outreach initiatives—leveraging both digital media and in-person opportunities—to build strategic partnerships and enhance the Gallery’s public profile. Through exemplary and visionary leadership, you will maintain and promote the highest ethical and professional standards, serving as a model for the department and the institution as a whole.

Requirements

- Master's degree from an accredited art conservation program
- At least ten years' experience as an object conservator
- Leadership and cross-department collaboration experience
- Demonstrated expertise in decision-making, organizational leadership, and strategic planning
- Established track record of effective problem-solving
- Maintains current knowledge of the field and actively promotes innovative research
- Significant experience in budget development and financial management
- Proven success in collaborating with Development teams to secure funding
- Superior written and oral communication skills
- Extensive experience in scholarly publishing and public lecturing
- Background in collaborating with scientific professionals
- Comprehensive knowledge of materials science
- Proficiency with collections management databases; experience with TMS and Conservation Studio is advantageous

How to Apply

All official applications and associated materials must be submitted through USAJobs.gov. Please note that USAJobs requires a 2-page (max) resume, however, if you wish to send your extended CV, send it to L-Stringari@nga.gov.

For further details and application use this link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/861560100