He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Principal Conservator

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is the home of art for Auckland, its people and visitors, and a cultural leader in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Gallery's purpose is to be a creative catalyst for art and ideas, offering transformational experiences that strengthen and enrich our communities. Audiences are at the heart of Gallery activities, which extend from our redeveloped and expanded site in the arts and learning precinct of inner-city Auckland.

The Gallery’s eminent, long-time conservation leader Sarah Hillary has recently retired. We now seek an experienced Principal Conservator to lead the conservation department, ensuring the safe stewardship and presentation of our art collections. This key role involves overseeing the care, conservation, preventive measures and safe storage of our collections, managing conservation programmes, staff, and budgets, and promoting conservation research.

As the Gallery's spokesperson on conservation matters, you will advocate for conservation as an institutional priority, collaborate with other departments, and educate the public. Your expertise will guide the conservation of artworks, ensuring they are preserved and presented to the highest standards.

This is a permanent, full-time position of 40 hours per week. It is a hands-on, lab-based role and involves staff supervision, however administrative tasks, research, writing, etc may be performed remotely as desirable.

You will report to the Head of Exhibitions and Collection Services and will have five Conservators and an Assistant Conservator as direct reports.

To review the full job description please click: HERE

He kōrero mōu: About you

To be successful in this role, you must have a strong understanding of conservation principles and ethics and be eligible for full membership in the New Zealand Conservators of Cultural Materials (NZCCM). You should be highly motivated, capable of planning and implementing conservation programmes and policies, and experienced in managing professional staff. The ability to work both collaboratively and independently, meeting deadlines consistently, is required.

Excellent oral and written communication skills along with a positive attitude and an energetic approach to work are essential. A record of conservation research and publication is crucial. Familiarity with CRM software and a current driving licence are advantageous. Flexibility to work non-standard hours on occasion.

To guide you further you should have:

• A master’s degree or Ph D (or the equivalent) in conservation or a related field and accreditation with a professional body of conservation such as the New Zealand Conservators of Cultural Materials (NZCCM), AICCM, ICON or AIC.
• 10 years of experience working as a conservator. Extensive and wide-ranging experience in the complex treatment of unique and irreplaceable artworks.
• Successful preventive and remedial conservation experience within a museum/art gallery context, including familiarity with museum values, procedures, and standards. Ability to work co-operatively and effectively with a range of other museum roles.
• Extensive publication and public speaking experience.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

As part of the Auckland Council whānau, Auckland Art Gallery Toi ō Tāmaki opens doors to a vast array of discounts and exclusive partnership benefits.

To view a snapshot of these, please click here: Benefits

The salary range for this position is NZ $110,000k – NZ $136,000k per annum, skill set and experience dependant. (Band H)

Tono mo te mahi/To Apply

• You do not need to add your roles in the non-mandatory fields on application if your CV is up to date.
• You must have, or be able to obtain, the right to work in NZ. If you will be applying for a visa, we strongly encourage you to check your eligibility and further information via the NZ Immigration website as we are not able to provide you with immigration or visa advice. We are an accredited employer.
• Close date is 11.59pm, 6 November 2024

For more information on Auckland Art Gallery Toi ō Tāmaki, please visit our website.

If you have specific questions after reading the advert and PD, please contact:
margaret.young@aucklandartgallery.com.


Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.

Employees in receipt of salary protection and/or on the predecessor Tātaki Auckland Unlimited terms and conditions of employment, please note that the salary protection and/or predecessor Auckland Unlimited terms and conditions, including relocation, apply to your current position. Should you change to a new position (other than any secondment) you will be issued with a new employment letter of offer with current Auckland Unlimited terms and conditions.

This position may require drug and alcohol testing as part of the pre-employment checks

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited strongly encourages our employees to be fully vaccinated.