Grainger Associate Vice President of Conservation and Science

About the Role

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world, collecting, caring for, and interpreting works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. The department of Conservation and Science is responsible for the treatment, research, and long-term preservation of over 300,000 works of art, integral to the museum’s mission to safeguard artistic and cultural legacy.

This leadership position reports to the Deputy Director and Senior Vice President for Curatorial Affairs, leading the museum’s conservation and scientific research program and its new Grainger Center for Conservation and Science. The role oversees the care, treatment, and conservation research of the museum’s collection, serving as a key partner to curatorial departments and collections teams. The position also inspires philanthropic support, advances the museum’s mission through outreach and digital initiatives, and builds the reputation of the Grainger Center for Conservation and Science.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Supervision
  • Provides professional, intellectual, and operational leadership for the Conservation and Science department, overseeing treatment, care, documentation, and research of the collection.
  • Steers activity and programming in the Grainger Center for Conservation and Science, including labs, classroom, and gallery.
  • Advises museum leadership on conservation and scientific research issues related to collection management.
  • Coordinates conservation activities museum-wide and establishes policies in consultation with relevant departments.
  • Develops long-range plans for staffing, budgeting, equipment, and facilities.
  • Directly supervises directors of each conservation specialty and supports personnel management.
  • Organizes and monitors work processes, resolves operational issues, and implements new procedures.
  • Evaluates performance, provides professional development, and participates in hiring processes.
  • Sets priorities for publications, presentations, and research dissemination.
  • Actively stewards academic collaborations and raises awareness of conservation needs.
• Treatment and Collection Care
  • Maintains institutional standards for safe handling, storage, installation, packing, and shipping of objects.
  • Provides guidance on environmental needs for collections, including humidity, temperature, lighting, and pest management.
  • Oversees the condition assessment program and advises on treatment priorities using up-to-date methods.
  • Partners with conservation specialty directors on major reinstallations or collection moves.
  • Stewards the Ferguson monuments fund and related conservation activities.
  • Engages outside consultants for specialized conservation or scientific knowledge.
  • Oversees contracted conservation work and leads emergency response in galleries or storage.
  • Maintains an active treatment and/or research profile, depending on specialty.
• Exhibitions, Loans, and Acquisitions
  • Directs examination processes for collection objects proposed for loan and provides conservation recommendations.
  • Oversees conservation requirements for exhibitions, including condition reports and treatments.
  • Consults on environmental requirements for artworks and exhibition standards.
  • Oversees conservation processes for acquisitions and deaccessions.
  • Supports the Conservation and Science team’s contributions to the courier program.
• Facilities and Budgeting
  • Sets and administers the department budget in consultation with the Deputy Director and Finance.
  • Works with conservation specialty directors and Capital Programs to ensure facilities and equipment meet program needs.
• Conservation Records
  • Oversees creation and maintenance of conservation documentation in department files and museum databases.
  • Sets guidelines for sharing non-public conservation information outside the museum.
• Research
  • Develops, prioritizes, and oversees short- and long-term conservation and science research projects.
  • Assesses and fosters new technologies for treatment and research.
  • Sets priorities for research collaborations with outside scholars and partners.
• Communication, Professional Development, and Dissemination
  • Keeps the Deputy Director informed of department activities and major projects.
  • Disseminates conservation policies and procedures to museum stakeholders.
  • Sets priorities for publications and presentations for professional and general audiences.
  • Travels to conferences, presents papers, and collaborates with colleagues.
  • Collaborates with the Director’s Office and Legal on policies for advising patrons and trustees.
  • Answers or delegates public inquiries and collaborates with curatorial and senior staff.
  • Serves on committees and undertakes special projects as appointed.
• Philanthropic Stewardship
  • Works with the Director’s Office and Philanthropy to pursue fundraising opportunities.
  • Participates in tours, lectures, and events to cultivate philanthropic support.
• Training and Mentorship
  • Engages in professional development of the team and identifies training opportunities.
  • Supports mentoring for early- or mid-career conservation professionals.
  • Supports a robust internship and fellowship program integrated with the museum’s academic engagement.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program, museum studies program, or applicable scientific or humanistic discipline (PhD preferred).
• Minimum of ten to fifteen years of post-graduate experience, or equivalent training and experience.
• Broad professional knowledge of conservation, conservation science, and collections care.
• Successful track record in a management role in a cultural institution.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated by publications and presentations.
• Proficiency with software platforms for administration, project management, and image processing.
• Project planning and delivery skills.
• Understanding of financial planning and management.
• Fundraising skills and understanding of philanthropy, research grants, and funding sources preferred.
• Strong national and international network in cultural heritage institutions and academia.

Pay

Hiring range: $200,000 - $225,000 annually. Final offers are based on skill set, experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off.
• Job classification: Exempt.
• Employment category: Full-time staff.