Summary

In this role you will be the strategic lead for  the care and conservation of the National Trusts extraordinary collection of furniture, wooden objects and wooden interior elements. You’ll provide expert advice, guidance and expertise on all aspects of furniture conservation, technical analysis, and support projects, exhibitions and loans.  

Please note that the salary advertised includes a base salary of £52,221, with additional inner London weighting allowance of £4,465 

What it\'s like to work here

As Europe’s largest conservation charity, we look after everything from coastlines, castles, country houses and cottages to farmlands, forests, entire villages, bats and butterflies. We do it all to make sure that their special qualities are enjoyed and enhanced for everyone, for ever. Our work ranges from £multi-million redevelopment projects to historic fashion revivals in our new Conservation Textile Studio. And we’ve recently invested record sums into repairing, improving and protecting special places from the threats of today. What does that mean for your career? A breadth and quality of conservation work like nowhere else in the country. 

Conservation is a critical part of our strategy and everything that we do. We are not a ‘look but don’t touch’ museum – we want people to explore, experience and understand our work and here, you’ll help to bring the unique spirt of places and spaces to life. The rapid pace of social, economic and environmental change presents both threats and opportunities and we’re working hard to manage that. So, we’re investing in new ways that we can use our natural resources to be more sustainable and working closely with some very exciting partners. It’s a really special time for conservation at the National Trust and a truly fascinating time to join us. 

What you\'ll be doing

Thinking holistically, you will develop priorities for your specialism and work collaboratively with property, curatorial, collections management and conservation colleagues, helping them to achieve sustainable standards of conservation, presentation and access  

You’ll be a passionate champion for the work you do supporting with external communications and public engagement, highlighting the significance of our collections, and taking a leading role in fundraising to enable further conservation and research. 

Having a collaborative approach, you’ll work with external colleagues to develop joint research projects in support of IRO status. 

Who we\'re looking for

We’d like you to bring the following skills and experience to the role: 

• You’ll have a qualification in furniture/woodwork conservation (or equivalent achievements) and significant post qualification experience in the conservation of wooden objects  
• A thorough understanding of theory and practice of collections conservation in a historic context  
• High standards of leadership and consulting skills: listening, building trust and delivering quality service  
• Excellent communications skills, including public speaking, and speaking to the media 
• Managing and delivering innovation in a multi-disciplinary environment and teams  
• Ability to prioritise across multiple workstreams, based on  organisational and strategic priorities 
• Financial planning and management skills and experience, including a proven track record of managing budgets, finances, large projects and contracts 
• Experience in fundraising and advocacy work 

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary