Assistant Textiles Conservator

It’s safeguarding a magnificent collection for future generations.
It’s taking pride in the role you play. It’s the satisfaction of caring for historic textiles within one of the world’s great collections. This is what makes working for Royal Collection Trust so different.

The breadth of textiles and textile objects across the Royal Collection is vast, dating from the seventeenth century to the present day.

In this new role, you’ll join the Conservation team at our Windsor Castle studio, supporting the Textile Conservator with all aspects of practical and preventative conservation work.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills in, treatment, collections care and conservation projects, under the guidance of and in collaboration with the Textile Conservator. You’ll be supported every step of the way, honing your skillset to take your career forward.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Textile Conservator with conservation work on a wide range of textile objects to prepare them for display, installation in exhibitions and for loans.
• Carry out conservation and condition assessment of historic textiles for display, loan and storage, working independently on straightforward treatments and supporting more complex projects under guidance.
• Assess condition, propose treatments and accurately document all work on the collections management system, contributing to surveys and audits as required.
• Support the preparation of textiles for exhibitions and loans, including packing, mounting, mannequins and occasional couriering.
• Help ensure textiles are stored, packed and transported to support long‑term preservation, identifying risks and areas of concern.
• Work closely with the Textile Conservator and other colleagues across the organisation to deliver conservation priorities and routine care programmes.
• Adhere to Health & Safety requirements, contributing to COSHH and risk documentation and maintaining safe studio practice.
• Actively develop your knowledge through research and engagement with best practice, sharing and discussing your work within the team and beyond.

About you

• You hold a recognised qualification in textile conservation (or equivalent) with some relevant practical experience, strong manual skills, and a desire to develop your career further in textile conservation.
• You have a sound understanding of textile materials, deterioration processes, preventive care and conservation ethics, and can apply this knowledge in practice.
• You’re confident assessing condition and proposing practical, best‑practice treatments, knowing when to work independently and when to seek support.
• Highly organised and self‑motivated, you can prioritise effectively, meet deadlines and adapt to changing demands.
• A clear and engaging communicator, you build positive working relationships and explain condition and treatment decisions clearly in writing and in person.
• You bring a thoughtful, solutions‑focused approach and a genuine desire to learn, develop and maintain the highest standards of conservation care.
• Comfortable using Microsoft applications and collections databases to support documentation and day‑to‑day work.

We know that to deliver our best work; we need to feel at our best. That’s why at the Royal Household we offer a generous benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and life priorities. 

• Enjoy 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days (plus bank holidays) dependent on the length of time you have worked for us.
• Our excellent non-contributory pension plan (we’ll contribute 15% and you can contribute more if you wish) is highly valued by our employees, as is complimentary lunch on-site to keep you fuelled throughout the day.
• We also offer a range of leave options to support your life priorities, such as parental pay and leave and volunteering days, as well as benefits to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Other perks include 20% off at our Royal Collection Trust Shops and complimentary admission tickets across all our locations, along with many more exclusive employee discounts.

Find out more about the full range of benefits available to our employees here.