Grainger Associate Vice President of Conservation and Science

Art Institute of Chicago•Chicago, IL

12d•$200,000 - $225,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking an Associate Vice President of Conservation and Science to lead its conservation and scientific research program and the new Grainger Center for Conservation and Science. This leadership position will oversee the care, treatment, conservation research, and examination of the museum’s collection and the team of conservators supporting these efforts. The role involves making conservation recommendations for loans, exhibitions, display, storage, handling, transport, acquisition, and deaccession of collection objects. The Associate Vice President will plan and direct workflows for conservation treatments and documentation, set standards for conservation and scientific research, and serve as an ambassador for the museum to inspire philanthropic support. This role is crucial in developing and advancing the museum’s mission, including outreach, communication, capital programs, and in-gallery and digital initiatives, with a focus on conservation and science. The position will build the reputation of the Grainger Center, contribute to national and international dialogue on artwork care and research, engage with the public and scholars, foster academic partnerships, and maintain an active research and/or treatment profile. Additionally, the role involves developing and mentoring staff and supporting the education of future conservation and museum professionals.

Requirements

Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program, museum studies program, or applicable scientific or humanistic discipline (PhD preferred)
Minimum of ten to fifteen years of post-graduate experience, or equivalent training and experience
Broad professional knowledge of conservation, conservation science, and collections care
Successful track record in a management role in a cultural institution
Excellent verbal and written communication skills as demonstrated by a track record of publications and presentations
Proficiency with a variety of software platforms for administration, project management, and image processing
Project planning and delivery skills
Understanding of financial planning and management
Strong national and international network in cultural heritage institutions and academia

Nice To Haves

Fundraising skills and an understanding of philanthropy, research grants, and other funding sources preferred

Responsibilities

Provides key professional, intellectual, and operational leadership for the Conservation and Science department with direct responsibility for the treatment, care, documentation, and object-based research of the collection.
Steers all activity and programming in the Grainger Center for Conservation and Science, including labs, classroom, and gallery.
Advises museum leadership on the management and maintenance of the Art Institute collections on conservation and scientific research issues.
Coordinates conservation activities museum wide and establishes the museum's conservation policies in consultation with the deputy director, Collections and Loans team, curators, and other relevant departments.
Develops long-range plans for the department concerning staffing, budgeting, equipment, and facilities to meet collection needs.
Oversees the department’s strategic planning, facilities, and operations.
Directly supervises the directors of each conservation specialty and provides support for all departmental personnel management.
Uses discretion to organize and monitor work processes, resolve operational issues, and implement new procedures.
Evaluates performance to ensure direct reports are equipped to perform their roles effectively and efficiently and provides professional development as needed, up to and including all levels of disciplinary action.
Reviews applicant materials to identify candidates for interviews; conducts candidate interviews; provides recommendations as part of the hiring process.
Sets priorities for publications, presentation, dissemination, and other research and outreach activities of the department.
Actively stewards academic collaborations.
Develops awareness within and outside the museum of the importance and needs of art conservation and object-based research.
Maintains institutional and professional standards for safe handling, storage, installation, packing, and shipping of objects in coordination with the Collections and Loans team, specialists and technicians, and curatorial staff.
Provides guidance on the environmental needs of the collection in galleries and in onsite and offsite art storage spaces, including for humidity and temperature control, lighting, air quality, and integrated pest management, etc.; works with conservators to manage the quarantine room.
Oversees condition assessment program; advises curatorial teams and conservation specialty directors on appropriate treatment priorities that use the most up-to-date methods and materials.
In partnership with the conservation specialty directors, oversees the work required for major reinstallations or moves of the collection.
In consultation with the director of objects and textiles conservation and key senior museum leaders, stewards the Ferguson monuments fund and its related conservation activities and contracts.
Seeks the assistance of outside consultants with specialized conservation and/or scientific knowledge when needed.
Oversees all contracted conservation work both on and off the premises.
Leads conservators’ response to emergencies that occur in galleries or storage areas, in collaboration with curatorial, Collections and Loans, and Protection Services.
Depending on the incumbent’s area of specialty, maintains an active treatment and/or research profile.
Directs processes concerning the examination of collection objects proposed for loan and related recommendations. Maintains communication with curators, Collections and Loans, and the Director’s Office, and consults with the conservation specialty directors to coordinate activities related to loans.
Oversees conservation requirements for exhibitions, including appointing conservators for exhibitions, the preparation of incoming and outgoing condition reports, and required treatments when needed. Consults with colleagues in Capital Programs and Exhibition Design to ensure that environmental requirements of artworks are met and casework and exhibition conditions meet preservation standards.
Oversees conservation processes related to objects being considered for acquisition and deaccession.
Supports the Conservation and Science team’s contributions to the courier program.
In consultation with the Deputy Director and Finance, sets budgets; allocates and administers the department budget, including restricted funds for conservation.
Works with conservation specialty directors and Capital Programs as appropriate to ensure facilities and equipment are up to date and meet the needs of an active conservation and scientific research program.
Oversees the creation and maintenance of all conservation documentation pertaining to the collection in the department’s files. Shares copies in the museum's collection management database and digital asset management system in accordance with the highest archival and digital preservation standards.
In consultation with the appropriate departments, sets guidelines for sharing of non-public conservation information outside the museum.
Develops, prioritizes, and oversees short- and long-term conservation and science research projects.
Assesses and fosters the application of new technologies for treatment and research.
Sets priorities and recommendations for research collaborations with outside scholars and other partners.
Keeps the Deputy Director informed of the activities of the Conservation and Science department and provides regular updates on the progress of major treatments, staffing, development and other relevant projects.
Disseminates conservation policies and procedures to relevant museum stakeholders.
Sets publications and presentations priorities for the department, including museum publications and lectures, social media, and journals aimed at both professional and general audiences.
Travels to attend conferences, presents papers, and confers with colleagues.
Collaborates with the Director's Office and Legal to establish policies and procedures for advising patrons and trustees of the museum on conservation matters. Answers or delegates answering of public inquiries, if necessary.
Collaborates closely with curatorial and senior staff across the museum.
Serves on committees and undertakes special projects and responsibilities as appointed by the Deputy Director.
Works with the Director’s Office and with colleagues in Philanthropy to pursue fundraising opportunities for the department and specific projects.
Participates in and leads tours, lectures, special events, and other activities aimed at cultivating philanthropic support for the museum and the department.
Actively engages in the professional development of the team.
Identifies opportunities for training and professional development that can benefit individuals, the specialty, and/or the entire department.
Supports mentoring opportunities for early- or mid-career training in conservation.
Supports a robust internship and fellowship program in Conservation and Science that is integrated with the museum’s interns and fellows cohort, as managed by Academic Engagement and Research.