Head of the Royal Bindery

Royal Collection Trust
Fine Art and Library
Windsor Castle
Permanent
£40,000 to £45,000 per annum, dependent on experience
37.5 hours per week

It’s the sense of guardianship for a world class collection

It's preserving unique art. And it's encouraging your team to care for and present remarkable histories and treasures. This is what makes a career in Royal Collection Trust exceptional.


The Royal Library and Royal Archives are home to one of the largest and most important collections of books, manuscripts and archives in the world.

You’ll lead the Royal Bindery team, ensuring the highest standard of conservation and restoration, and ongoing care of this unique collection.

Managing all aspects of the Royal Bindery’s work, you’ll plan and oversee the programme of conservation works.

As the lead practitioner you’ll bring vast technical expertise to the role, advising and guiding others in bookbinding and conservation methods, as well as undertaking key conservation projects yourself. You will also oversee the creation of new binding structures.

Collaborating with both internal and external colleagues, your input will be key to the storage, display and exhibitions, external loans, access and information management of the collection. 

You’ll also look to develop our policies and best practise guidelines, and bring new solutions to technical challenges.

Managing the Bindery team you’ll encourage new talent and grow skills in those around you, developing future ambassadors for book conservation. This will include directing The Queen’s Bindery Apprenticeship Scheme. 

Aligning conservation needs alongside the wider activities and aims of Royal Collection Trust, and of a modern working palace, will be a unique challenge.

And in all you do, you’ll be preserving history and knowledge from the past for millions to admire today and into the future.

With professional accreditation and significant experience of hand bookbinding and book restoration, you’re an expert in your field, looking to apply and develop your knowledge further in a new environment.

A highly skilled craftsperson, your practical experience and benchwork skillset will be key to your success.

In particular, you’ll be competent in gold finishing and edge gilding, and have an in-depth knowledge of the materials and methods used for period binding styles. 

Having worked for a library or archives collection for some time, you'll be confident planning and managing a varied schedule of works for your department.

Highly organised and with excellent project management skills, you'll be adept at managing both your own and your colleagues’ workloads in order to meet deadlines.

An excellent communicator, you’ll work well with a variety of people, with the ability to influence and engage with colleagues across our talented team.

You'll also have strong people management skills, particularly when it comes to direct line-management and contractor relationships.

What's more, you will be keen to share your knowledge and develop others.

Perceptive and resourceful, you’ll have good initiative and will be able apply your experience to find solutions, making you a real asset and strong leader for the team.

And with an adaptable and collaborative approach, you’ll enjoy working with colleagues in complimentary specialist fields to achieve shared goals on behalf of The Royal Collection Trust.

Vacancy Closing Date: 17/11/2019, 23:55

This vacancy is closed to applications.