Chief Conservator – The Frick Collection
Listing Start Date: November 22, 2024
Expires: January 22, 2025
Chief Conservator
The Frick Collection
Full-time, Exempt
Background
Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, the Frick is known for its distinguished Old Master paintings and outstanding examples of European sculpture and decorative arts.
The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings – which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century – have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Research Library, founded in 1920 by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of the museum’s founder. Recognized as one of the world’s top art history research centers, it has served students, scholars, and members of the public free of charge for generations.
The Frick has undergone a comprehensive renovation and was open in a temporary home, Frick Madison, from 2020 through early 2024, while renovations were underway at the mansion on 70th Street. Construction has progressed rapidly and, in addition to special exhibition galleries and education spaces, we have added enhanced visitor amenities and accessible spaces. Frick Madison is now closed to the public. Staff have moved back to 1 East 70th Street and we hope to open the museum to the public in spring 2025.
Workplace culture
At the Frick Collection, we pride ourselves on promoting an open and welcoming workplace culture that supports diversity and work-life balance. The Frick strives to provide our employees with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits in a beautiful and pleasant work setting, while offering an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art.
Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at The Frick Collection, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, military status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status or any other protected characteristic as established by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.
Position Summary
The Chief Conservator at The Frick Collection is responsible for the management of the Conservation Department. Based in the new state-of the-art Sherman Fairchild Center for Art Conservation, the department is responsible for the conservation and preservation of the museum’s decorative arts, sculpture, frames, and historic interiors. The department is currently comprised of eight staff members including conservators, preparators, art handlers, and mount makers.
The Chief Conservator works closely with constituents across the institution including in the curatorial, registrar, exhibitions, engineering, and facilities departments. Working with the curators, the Chief Conservator identifies the conservation needs of the collection and establishes treatment and technical study priorities. He/she/they also serves as primary liaison to the Paintings Conservation Department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which cares for the paintings in the collection. The Chief Conservator collaborates with engineering and facilities on matters relating to environmental conditions, integrated pest management, as well as the fabric of the historic building. The Chief Conservator is occasionally called upon to work with the External Affairs Department for fundraising activities. The Chief Conservator maintains the conservation budget and acts in an advisory role for expenses related to exhibitions and special projects.
Conservators in the department engage in technical studies which may be shared at conferences and/or in peer-reviewed publications and exhibition catalogues. Analytical and examination capabilities are necessary, including infrared and multiband imaging, portable x-ray fluorescence, polarized light microscopy, and x-radiography. The Frick Collection is a partner institution with Scientific Research Partnerships at the Metropolitan Museum.
The department is also responsible for the preparation, handling, installation, and mount making needs for the permanent collection and special exhibitions. This includes matting and framing works on paper, preparing outgoing loans, and installing of exhibitions. The Chief Conservator ensures that all handling, treatment, analysis, and documentation work of the department is done to the highest standards.
The department is dedicated to training the next generation of conservators through workshops, paid internships, and fellowships.
The Chief Conservator reports to the Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator. 3
Requirements/Education
The education and/or experience requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required to successfully perform the essential duties of this position.
• Ten years of experience in the treatment and technical examination of objects with a specialty in one or more of the core areas of the collection (ceramics, bronze and marble sculpture, Renaissance enamels, furniture, and frames).
• An established record of publications in the field of conservation.
• A familiarity with historic interiors is required.
• An M.A. from an accredited conservation training program and an advanced knowledge of conservation materials and practices.
• Supervisory experience including planning, organization, and project management skills.
• Experience with The Museum System collection management database is required; familiarity with Conservation Studio is desired.
• Excellent communication and written, and ability to present information in meetings and public forums.
• Must be able to work collaboratively with constituents across the institution including curators, educators, registrars, engineers, as well as with outside contractors.
• Excellent people management and mentoring skills.
Benefits in Employment with the Frick Collection
Paid Holidays: Full-time employees are eligible for 14 paid holidays, all federal holidays including Juneteenth, and Election Day. Including four floating holidays: two may be used in the first half of the calendar year, two may be used in the second half of the calendar year.
Sick and Vacation time: Eligible full-time employees accrue up to 12 sick and 12 vacation days their first year of employment. In subsequent years, eligible full-time employees accrue up to 12 sick days and 25 vacation days/year.
Family leave: In addition to adhering to all federal family leave laws, we provide all eligible employees with paid bereavement and family leave.
Health, Dental and Vision insurance: all full-time employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in employer sponsored benefits plans. Employees contribute to the cost of health insurance based on income level and type of coverage selected.
Short and Long Term Disability and Life Insurance: the Frick covers the entire cost of these benefits for all full-time employees. The life insurance benefit is up to three times the employee’s annual salary.
Retirement: The Frick supports all employees in planning for retirement by offering participation in a Tax Deferred Savings Plan – 403(b) and a defined benefit pension plan.
Wellness Programs at the Frick include an Employee Assistance Plan, a discount on Citi Bike memberships and a discount on bike helmets.
Additional benefits include discounted Metro Cards/Transit Checks, flexible spending accounts for health, dependent care and commuting costs. 4
Physical Requirements
The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Physical requirements are comparable to most office roles.
Ability to interact in-person with colleagues, vendors, and visitors.
Use common office tools and machines (computer, phone).
Ability to traverse throughout the office, building(s) in and out-of-doors and visit different levels of the building. Including climbing ladders.
Ability to reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and regularly lift and/or move 40 lbs. (tools and equipment).
Ability to transport and operate equipment.
Employment Status and Compensation
This is a full-time exempt role.
The salary range is $140,000 – $160,000 annually, based on skills and experience.
The institution engages vendors/contractors for large scale conservation and maintenance projects and art moves which may be scheduled outside of the regular business day. The Chief Conservator
provides in-person management and oversight of these activities and may be called upon to work onsite outside or regular business hours. Generally, there is no remote work option for this role aside from on a very occasional basis.
Apply here or send resume and cover letter to:
Deputy Director & Chief Operating Officer
The Frick Collection
1 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021
This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.