Art Technician

It’s the art of creative problem solving, and achieving challenging art handling in a unique historic environment.

It’s a sense of guardianship. And it’s the pride that comes with caring for and presenting one of the world’s largest and most significant art collections. This is what makes working for the Royal Collection Trust so unique.

In terms of both scale and significance, the Royal Collection is extraordinary. As an Art Technician, you’ll ensure the safe movement and installation of artworks across royal residences, as well as those on external loan, contributing to the success of Royal Collection Trust’s exhibition and loans programme.

Key Responsibilities:

• You’ll work independently whilst helping to plan and co-ordinate picture moves and substitutions between royal residences, including the installation of exhibitions at The King’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh.
• Overseeing freelance technicians and art handling contractors, you’ll make sure every project runs smoothly and on time with care for the artworks at the forefront.
• Working closely with colleagues and external partners, you’ll ensure that all handling, packing, and transport meet the highest conservation standards.
• Carrying out site visits, you’ll liaise with both internal and external stakeholders to assess practical requirements and develop effective solutions for each move.
• You’ll keep detailed records of all picture moves, ensuring accurate tracking within the collections management system.

And your care of every item will help preserve one of the world’s finest collections of art for future generations.

Please note: Whilst your primary working location will be London, there will be a regular requirements to travel to other royal residences and working locations across the country, as well as occasional international travel.

Essential Criteria:

• With hands-on experience in art handling, especially with large, framed oil paintings, you’re ready to take on new challenges in a historic setting.
• You have knowledge of the best practices for transporting and installing fragile artworks and are familiar with the tools and materials needed.
• An understanding of conservation or collections care with practical knowledge and hands on experience in maintaining and preserving historic collections will be key.
• Organised and proactive, you’re confident in managing complex logistics and can work independently while also thriving in a team environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as you’ll be working with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Comfortable working at height and with access equipment, you also possess basic woodworking skills.
• You hold a valid driving license and are ready to travel across the UK, working at different royal residences as needed.

Above all you will relish the opportunity to develop your physical, practical and communication skills that this unique role offers. Delivering outstanding art handling of a world class paintings collection in exceptional locations.

What We Offer:

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 pro rata (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.