careers at preservation arts

Associate or Senior Sculpture Conservator

REPORTS TO: President

CLASSIFICATION:       Full-time hourly with benefits

COMPENSATION:       Associate: $80-100K/Senior $100-$125k

DATE POSTED:        May 12, 2025

Summary: Preservation Arts seeks an experienced full-time Sculpture Conservator to join our objects and outdoor sculpture departments. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team environment. Responsibilities will include leading and supervising the outdoor sculpture team, participating in project planning, conducting treatments in the studio, developing condition assessments, creating proposals, and researching materials and artists.

Responsibilities: 

• Perform a range of treatments of objects and outdoor sculpture for private, institutional, and public clients to the highest level of quality, and to AIC ethical guidelines.

• Compose detailed, high level written documentation and photography following the Preservation Arts protocols and standards. 

• Undertake sculpture assessments and condition reports, develop treatment methodologies for complex artworks and condition issues, and research approaches. Make recommendations for maintenance, exhibition and display.

• Successfully manage a team to complete outdoor projects on time, safely, and to the required quality standards. 

• Display a high level of professionalism and communication with the team, junior staff and senior managers.

• The ability to mentor and train junior staff. 

• Liaise with Artist Studios and Foundations as needed to have proposed treatments approved.

• Exhibit excellent hand skills and color matching. Experience with patina application, spraying of lacquers and working with industrial paint systems is an advantage. 

• Demonstrate effective leadership, organizational, and time management skills. ​​

• The ability to occasionally travel out of the Bay Area for onsite projects.

Requirements: 

• A Master’s Degree in Conservation with a speciality in objects or sculpture.

• A minimum of five years post-graduate museum or private practice experience is required for associate positions; senior level requires ten years.

• Understanding of sculpture fabrication and materials, artists and art history.

• Experience operating equipment, such as aerial platforms and other machinery.

• The ability to safely perform physical tasks in indoor and outdoor settings, including some warm weather conditions. The ability to sit, stand, and kneel for prolonged periods, and to lift objects from 25-50 lbs.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for the associate position is $80,000-100,000 and $100,000-$125,000 for a senior position. Preservation Arts offers 100% healthcare coverage for employees & 50% dependents, 100% Dental coverage for employees, optional Vision, and a health and dependent care FSA. Employees are eligible to enroll in the company’s 401(k) plan after 6 months of employment with an automatic 3% company contribution and additional profit sharing and pension contributions. Employees are eligible for annual educational reimbursements for professional development.

Interested applicants should send a letter of intent, resume, and contact information for three professional references to jobs@preservation-arts.com

Assistant Account Manager

REPORTS TO:        Vice President

CLASSIFICATION:      Full-time 

DURATION:         5 days/week onsite

COMPENSATION: $75,000 - $90,000/yr 

Summary: Preservation Arts seeks a qualified Assistant Account Manager to provide excellent support to management and account managers, acting as the main point of contact for project communication and coordination. The effective management of clients necessitates demonstrable skills in project management, communication, and organization. A primary function of the Assistant Account Manager is the cultivation and preservation of strong client relationships, thereby contributing substantially to the organization’s success. The ideal candidate will be a focused, efficient team player who thrives in a demanding, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities:  

Project Management:

The Assistant Client Manager is responsible for working at a high level and is the initial point of contact for communication with client projects in the studio. This role collaborates extensively with the President, Vice President, and conservators, providing essential daily support.

Key responsibilities encompass client communication, studio project management, relationship cultivation, outreach initiatives, partnership development support, administrative tasks, proposal and estimate preparation, scheduling and logistics management, project delivery, and other assigned duties.

Client Management:

Responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with clients to ensure their satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately driving business growth. Duties involve needs assessment for clients, clear communication, project administration, ensuring high-quality deliverables, fostering business partnerships, diligent tracking of client interactions, leads and opportunity management, and addressing challenges proactively. 

Marketing:

In collaboration with the Vice President, design and create content for newsletters, website, social media and other marketing materials, as directed. Responsible for creating a schedule for posting weekly updates on social media platforms including Instagram, LinkedIn and other opportunities to promote the services for the studio.

Art Registration and Handling:

In collaboration with the Studio Technician, oversee the movement and locations of art. Key responsibilities include documentation of incoming/outgoing receipts, temporary/permanent storage accounts, and movement of objects. Maintains a well-organized storage area in collaboration with the Studio Technician. Assists the Studio Technician with the care, movement and packing of artwork as needed. 

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Museum studies or a closely related field. 

• At least 2 -3  years of experience working with a combination of private clients, a museum or gallery or an arts organization. 

• Strong communication with the ability to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues. Ability to provide excellent support and build strong relationships.

• Organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously

• Computer skills in Google suite, Squarespace, social media platforms and website design

• Experience with art handling, storage and developing estimates. 

• Occasional travel will be required. 

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Working Conditions: Applicants must be comfortable with working in a team environment or independently. 

General Time Commitment: This position is full-time on site with benefits.

Physical Demands: This position will include moving objects, equipment and materials. It requires an ability to stand, walk, move and remain active consistently and for lengthy periods. Ability to perform routine bending, stooping, twisting, and reaching. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $75,000-90,000. Preservation Arts offers 100% healthcare coverage for employees & 50% dependents, 100% Dental coverage for employees, optional Vision, and a health and dependent care FSA. Employees are eligible to enroll in the company’s 401(k) plan after 6 months of employment with an automatic 3% company contribution and additional profit sharing and pension contributions. Employees are eligible for annual educational reimbursements for professional development.

Interested applicants should send a letter of intent, resume, and contact information for three professional references to jobs@preservation-arts.com