Lead Conservator (Books, Paper and Photographs)

Join one of the world's leading museums and help shape the future of conservation at the V&A. We're seeking an experienced Lead Conservator to provide technical and strategic leadership for our Books, Paper and Photographs conservation team. Reporting to the Head of Conservation, you'll lead a team of specialist conservators, oversee major conservation initiatives, support exhibitions, loans, and capital projects, and help drive innovation and best practice across the department.

You'll bring: significant expertise in the conservation of books, paper and photographs; proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams; strong project delivery, resource management and stakeholder engagement skills; a passion for research, knowledge sharing and advancing conservation practice.

At the V&A, you'll work with an extraordinary collection spanning 5,000 years of creativity while contributing to our mission to champion art, design and creativity in all its forms for everyone.

The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.8 million objects, books and archives that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. The museum holds many of the UK's national collections and houses some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance.

Our mission is to be recognised as the world's leading museum of art, design and performance, and to enrich people's lives by promoting research, knowledge and enjoyment of the designed world to the widest possible audience. We strive to make the V&A matter to more people and in that context we work to the following six strategic objectives:

To create a world class visitor and learning experience across all V&A sites and collections.

Focus and deepen the relevance of our collections to the UK creative and knowledge economy.

Expand the V&A's international reach, reputation and impact.

To operate with financial and organisational initiative and efficiency.

Showcase the best of digital design and deliver an outstanding digital experience.

Diversify and increase private and commercial funding sources.

The Benefits Generous pension scheme 29 days plus bank holidays Flexible working​ Tickets to V&A exhibitions Subsidised staff canteen 25% discount in V&A shops Give as you earn scheme Bicycle loan

Interest-free season ticket Interest-free rental deposit loan Free safety checks and small repairs to your bike with Doctor Bike

Wide range of training and professional development opportunities Employee Assistance Programme Staff diversity networks