Margaret H. and William E. Massey Senior Conservator of Paintings

Title: Margaret H. and William E. Massey Senior Conservator of Paintings

State Role Title: VMFA Senior

Hiring Range: $95,000

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA’s growing encyclopedic collection houses more than 50,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years of world history.

Our holdings include the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, French Impressionism, Postimpressionism, British sporting art, and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan, and African art.

Recently named the 11th-best art museum in the United States by The Washington Post, VMFA is the only US art museum open 365 days a year with free general admission.

VMFA is a state-supported, privately endowed educational institution created for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to encourage the study of the arts, and thus to enrich the lives of all.

The Goode Center is a vibrant research, treatment, and training center dedicated to advancing the field of conservation, art history, and science through joint study with conservators, curators, scholars, and scientists. Opened in 2010, the Goode Center is one of the largest conservation facilities in the southeast and is outfitted with advanced analytical and examination capabilities including hyperspectral, infrared, and multiband imaging, scanning and portable x-ray fluorescence, FT-IR, microfade testing, polarized light microscopy, and computed x-radiography.

We are currently seeking applications for an experienced, adaptable, and inspirational individual to join our Conservation Department as the Margaret H. and William E. Massey Senior Conservator of Paintings.

The Margaret H. and William E. Massey Senior Conservator of Paintings provides leadership, oversight, and expertise in the conservation and preservation of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ collection of paintings on canvas and panel, in support of the museum’s mission and strategic plan.

Working collaboratively with colleagues within Conservation and across the museum, the Senior Conservator of Paintings oversees all aspects of the care of paintings in the permanent collection and, as appropriate, works on loan to the Museum. Responsibilities include examination, documentation, treatment, technical research, preventive conservation, and the development and implementation of priorities for the long-term preservation of the collection.

The Senior Conservator of Paintings works closely with curators and other museum colleagues, applying established conservation standards and ethical principles to preserve the physical integrity, aesthetic qualities, and historical significance of each work while supporting the museum’s exhibition, loan, acquisition, and programmatic needs. The position partners with the Chief Conservator to provide leadership, vision, and management of the paintings conservation staff and collaborates with the Chief Conservator and other Senior Conservators on departmental strategic planning, priorities, and budget management.

The Senior Conservator of Paintings also contributes to the museum’s public engagement and educational programs through activities such as laboratory tours, presentations to visiting groups and museum audiences, responses to public inquiries, and presentations of conservation projects and activities. The position may also contribute to fundraising and development initiatives by communicating the significance and impact of conservation work to donors and other stakeholders.

National and international travel may be required for research, conferences, workshops, teaching opportunities, and activities related to exhibitions, loans, and new acquisitions.

Please provide three professional references, including their full name, phone number, and email address. References should be able to speak to your qualifications for the position and may be included in your resume or cover letter or attached separately in the portal’s "other" field.

VMFA is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Name: HR Services

Phone: For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. We do not provide application status updates via phone.

Email: recruitment@vmfa.museum for recruitment related questions.

 Emailed applications, resumes, or cover letters will not be accepted. For the most up-to-date status of your application, please refer to your Jobs.Virginia.Gov account. 

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 08 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 04 Dec 2026 Eastern Standard Time

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