Conservation Frame Technician (Survey)

Royal Collection Trust
Fine Art and Library
St. James’s Palace
Fixed Term Contract
February 2019
February 2021
£25,000 - £26,000 dependent on experience
37.5 per week, over 5 days, Monday to Friday

It’s knowing that your expertise will present history in a new light

It's protecting heritage by leaving your own legacy. And it's the satisfaction of caring for and presenting one of the world's largest art collections. This is what it feels like to work for Royal Collection Trust.

In terms of both quality and diversity, our collection of paintings is breath-taking. Your challenge will be to preserve and prepare frames to help present art work at its best.

You'll be part of the team carrying out the Painting Condition Survey Project, working on a vast and varied collection, and every work of art will present you with a different challenge.

You'll prepare frames to accommodate paintings and maintain the highest levels of conservation.

Be it structural repairs, glazing, creating microclimates and backing, or remedial treatments for gilded surfaces you'll assess and treat the frames ensuring that they are in the best condition. 

In the studio you'll be responsible for sourcing supplies as well as the upkeep of specialist equipment. You’ll also help ensure our reporting systems are kept up-to-date.

And working alongside your colleagues you’ll be involved with the handling, movement and display of paintings.

The unique diversity of the collection means you’ll have the opportunity to expand your practical expertise. And in all you do, you'll be proud of the part you play, caring for a world renowned collection.

The role will involve working at times in residences across the country, and working at height and with heavy paintings.

You’ll have a relevant degree, along with previous art handling and conservation framing experience, and a desire to develop your skills further in this field.

With existing conservation skills and a working knowledge, you understand the technicalities of working with fragile paintings and frames and you’re confident preparing surveys, evaluating items and carrying out practical conservation framing treatments.

Your organisation and time management skills will be vital in order to prioritise multiple deadlines.  

An excellent communicator, you'll enjoy working alongside and engaging with people at all levels, both internal and external.

Perceptive, with great problem solving skills, we can rely on you to take initiative, assess situations, and make decisions when needed. 

A good command of relevant IT programs will be important too, in particular to use our collection database.

What's more, you're exceptional eye for detail means you'll be driven to maintain the very highest standards of care and conservation.

Vacancy Closing Date: 10/01/2019, 23:55

This vacancy is closed to applications.