Director, Conservation

The Detroit Institute of Arts•Detroit, MI

7d•$108,047 - $135,058•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Vice President, Exhibition and Collection Strategies, the Director, Conservation leads the department in the examination, documentation, preservation, restoration, analysis, and technical research of artworks in the DIA's encyclopedic collection and under its custody.

Requirements

Master's degree in art conservation from a recognized training program.
Ten (10) years of progressive conservation experience, including preventative conservation, research, publications, or other academic work, preferably in a large fine arts museum.
Experience with extensive treatment, scientific analysis, research, and process management in conservation required.
Five (5) years of management experience as a section head or equivalent, including supervisory responsibilities.
Must be a strategic thinker with the ability to plan and execute goals and objectives.
Must possess leadership skills and the ability to lead a team to meet strategic goals supporting the museum strategy and vision.
Demonstrated experience with budget management including budget development and stewardship of resources and demonstrated fiscal responsibility to stay within budget.
Must possess the understanding and sensitivity required to handle, store, and display museum-quality artworks in compliance with the American Institute for Conservation's Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice.
Must be able to advocate for collection care and conservation standards to ensure safety of artworks.
Knowledge of analytical techniques (e.g. microscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy, gas/liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/LC-MS)), digital photography and other imaging techniques.
General knowledge of preparation, framing and mounting techniques for artwork.
Demonstrated ability to share complex information, ideas, and instructions clearly, effectively, and professionally to diverse audiences through talking or writing.
Demonstrated organizational skills to plan, manage, prioritize, and complete multiple on-going projects to meet deadlines and goals.
Knowledge of standards and best practices for museum environments and environmental monitoring systems.
Demonstrated ability to make creative, effective, and timely decisions aligned with organizational mission, vision, values, and strategic direction considering risk and long-term impacts.
Demonstrated ability to be an engaged listener with the ability to build consensus within the Museum and with diverse stakeholders externally.
Must be able to successfully manage conflict, experience with mediation preferred.
Must possess a demonstrated understanding of ethical business conduct and professional practices including maintenance and protection of confidential and sensitive information.
Demonstrated ability to recognize, assess, and limit liabilities and risk.
Ability to work occasional weekend and evening hours and respond to unplanned emergencies.
Must be proficient in the latest version of Microsoft Office 365.
Must have proficiency in the use of remote work technology such as scheduling with, connecting to, and using digital collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams.
Must be able to establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions that promote positive teamwork. This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

Nice To Haves

Experience with collections database software, The Museum System (TMS) preferred.
Experience with mediation preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage the department, determining priorities and goals, scheduling and annual budget for all sections ensuring that department resources and staff support the museum's strategic goals and annual museum-wide goals, and that those goals are met on schedule and within budget.
Recruit, mentor, develop and successfully manage a team to achieve the strategic objectives and the present and future needs of the department in alignment with the museum’s annual priorities and strategic vision.
Create a collaborative work environment by using a performance support process including goal setting, feedback, and development.
Ensure that all collection preservation activities, including providing preventive conservation guidance, conservation research, treatment, and documentation, are conducted in adherence with the American Institute for Conservation Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.
Develop conservation plans and procedures for the department and collection, identify opportunities for continuous process improvement for current policies and procedures for work that touches conservation and the care of the collection.
Act as department's primary liaison and collaborate with other departments across the museum in achieving core department and division functions and support the conservation staff in fulfilling their duties in the planning and installation of special exhibitions and permanent collection galleries, monitoring environmental conditions, evaluating potential acquisitions, and assessing and preparing objects for loan both outgoing and incoming.
When needed, act as a courier to oversee artworks in transit. Travel as a courier accompanying DIA artwork, loans, and traveling exhibitions. Supervise handling at airports, truck shipments, packing and installation/de-installation at borrowing institutions.
Define preventive conservation parameters, coordinate HVAC system and air conditioning monitoring, and light level management, and collaborate with other teams in risk assessment, management, and emergency planning.
Provide technical guidance to resolve conservation issues in museum galleries and guide other teams in maintaining ideal storage and exhibition conditions, handling, packaging, and storage.
Lead staff and coordinate departmental public outreach and advocacy activities that engage tri-county, state, national, and international audiences that promote accessibility to the department, collection, and special exhibitions. Activities include but not limited to digital media and print initiatives, public lectures, department tours, and teaching (K-12, undergraduate and graduate students).
Lead the department in collaborating with Development, the Director, President and CEO, and the VP of Exhibition and Collection Strategies in fundraising activities including donor cultivation, endowment-building, securing in-kind relationships with tech, industry, and university partners, and seeking grant funding opportunities.
Oversee department initiatives and support conservation staff in their pursuit of technical research on artworks including documentation of structure through written reports, scientific analysis, and imaging in support of acquisitions, treatment, curatorial and scholarly inquiries and exhibition and gallery content.
Promote the dissemination of this information by conservation staff at conferences, symposia, and in peer-reviewed publications with the goal of raising the profile of the department and the museum among our museum colleagues and with the public.
Responsible, as department head, for chemical safety in the department as defined by current MIOSHA Laboratory Standard.
Seek out and participate in ongoing professional development to remain up-to date on the newest materials, techniques, and advances in the field by reading professional publications, attending conferences and workshops.
Monitor and manage contracts including budgets and schedules for contract conservation services and other contractual services.
Foster, promote, and support Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) through the DIA values, active listening, embracing difference, and engaging with empathy to promote a culture of belonging among internal and external stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned.