Curator

House of Commons (Canada) / Chambre des communes (Canada)•Ottawa, ON

7d•CA$125,646 - CA$147,798•Onsite

About The Position

The House of Commons’ Digital Services and Real Property is currently looking to staff the Curator position within the Real Property Services directorate. As Curator of the House of Commons, you will lead a team of specialists and work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders across the Parliamentary Precinct including parliamentarians, the Speaker, the Clerk and House Administration. In this highly unique and influential position, you will provide strategic and intellectual leadership on matters related to the institution’s history, material culture, traditions, and ceremonies. You will serve as principal advisor to the Speaker and parliamentarians on heritage, collections and ceremonial matters, while offering expert advice to senior leaders and stakeholders on the value, condition, and authenticity of significant artefacts, supporting informed decision-making at the highest levels. You will lead the strategic acquisition, care and preservation of some of the country’s most important historical objects, including artworks, furnishings, architectural features, and ceremonial pieces that bring Parliament’s history to life. You will guide how these items are collected, protected, and displayed so that Members of Parliament, Canadians, dignitaries, and visitors can experience and appreciate the history of Parliament in a meaningful and engaging way. Beyond preservation, you will play a key role in bringing these stories to life through exhibitions, public outreach, and special initiatives, advancing strategic objectives while making Canada’s parliamentary history more accessible and engaging for all.

Requirements

Post-graduate degree, extensive professional expertise and experience is required in the fields of art, architecture, history, and museology.
In-depth knowledge of museological principles and artefact conservation practices, including appropriate methodologies, materials, techniques, and adherence to industry standards and guidelines.
Considerable experience in effectively managing heritage assets, including artefacts and ceremonial objects, to the highest standards of exhibition and preservation in alignment with the organisation’s mandate.
Extensive working experience in overseeing the care, documentation, cyclical maintenance, and preservation of collections, ensuring their longevity and integrity.
Extensive working experience in managing capital works projects related to conservation and preservation efforts, ensuring projects are completed to high standards.
Extensive working experience in ensuring integrated service delivery across various functions related to conservation, heritage management, and collections care, and the dissemination of knowledge about heritage collections.
Experience providing leadership and guidance to teams, fostering a culture of service excellence, professionalism and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the organization, structure, and operations of the House of Commons, including the Parliamentary Precinct, as well as the historical traditions, institutional knowledge, and ceremonial practices, and application of relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks in a professional context.

Responsibilities

Lead a team of specialists and work closely with senior leaders and stakeholders across the Parliamentary Precinct.
Provide strategic and intellectual leadership on matters related to the institution’s history, material culture, traditions, and ceremonies.
Serve as principal advisor to the Speaker and parliamentarians on heritage, collections and ceremonial matters.
Offer expert advice to senior leaders and stakeholders on the value, condition, and authenticity of significant artefacts.
Lead the strategic acquisition, care and preservation of historical objects, including artworks, furnishings, architectural features, and ceremonial pieces.
Guide how items are collected, protected, and displayed.
Bring stories to life through exhibitions, public outreach, and special initiatives.
Advance strategic objectives while making Canada’s parliamentary history more accessible and engaging for all.