Senior Conservator – Restorer of Upholstery

It’s unpicking the stitches to revive centuries of history

It’s being trusted to deliver. And it’s the satisfaction of caring for an irreplaceable collection. This is what makes a career with the Royal Household so different.

The collection of furniture spanning across our locations is truly diverse, with many unique and historically significant items. What’s more, it’s a working collection; many of the items are in regular use.

Leading our talented upholstery and soft furnishings team, you’ll manage a wide range of upholstered furniture conservation and restoration projects.

Based at our new workshops in Windsor, but also working across sites with items in situ, the rich diversity of conservation needs will stretch you.

You’ll use your expertise to survey and evaluate the condition of items, before proposing conservation methods that will both preserve them for continued use, whilst also protecting them for many years to come.

Supporting the Workshop Manager, you’ll help prioritise and manage the restoration schedule for rest of the team.

You’ll oversee the production of varied upholstery schemes, considering latest industry methods, quality standards, comfort and the timescales needed to ensure beautiful results every time.

You’ll liaise with colleagues to understand wider operational needs, and a key challenge for you will be to balance conservation projects with the busy activities of working palaces.

You’ll be encouraged to broaden and invest in your practical skills and share your knowledge to guide those around you. And knowing that you're helping to preserve a collection that will be enjoyed by future generations will continue to drive you.

With extensive experience in upholstery and soft furnishings conservation and restoration, you’ll be confident in leading complex projects through your skilled craftsmanship.

What’s more, you’ll keep up-to-date with conservation methods, and will be keen to apply your knowledge and implement new techniques when possible to best conserve items.

You’ll be a skilled practical problem solver, able to assess items, narrow down issues and find innovative solutions to restore them back to working condition.

A meticulous approach will be vital, and your attention to detail means you always achieve the highest standard of finish.

With excellent time management skills, you’ll be able to prioritise workloads, judge timescales and manage deadlines, both for yourself and for others. And with a flexible approach, you’ll be able to adapt to changing circumstances effectively.

Beyond this, it’s your ability to work with others that will ensure your success. Previous people management experience would be ideal, and you'll have a genuine interest in motivating and developing others.

And with good communication skills, you’ll be confident in liaising with a broad spectrum of colleagues and specialists in their field. Above all, your passion for your craft will inspire your team to deliver the highest level of care.

This role will be based in Windsor Home Park at Windsor Castle. In return you can look forward to working in a unique and stimulating work environment, and be rewarded with a comprehensive benefits package, including 33 days holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays) and a 15% employer contribution pension scheme (with the option for flexibility – to increase or draw down as salary).