Opportunity ID
694
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Location
IWM Duxford, IWM London
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Career Level
D
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Salary
£32,000 - £35,000
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Hours
36
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Department
Preservation
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Position type
Fixed Term
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Length of employment
18 months
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Job Summary
What It's Like to Work Here
At Imperial War Museums, we care for collections that help people understand the impact of conflict and its role in shaping our world. You'll join a team of specialists dedicated to protecting nationally significant collections and making them accessible for future generations. We foster a collaborative, supportive environment where expertise is valued, continuous learning is encouraged, and everyone contributes to preserving history for research, learning and public engagement.
Why This Role Matters
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a major preservation project across IWM's five sites. As Preventive Conservator (EMS), you'll help implement a new Environmental Monitoring System (EMS) that will provide the data, tools and processes needed to manage environmental risks and protect our collections for years to come.
Your work will directly support the long-term preservation of collections and displays by ensuring environmental conditions are accurately monitored and managed. Through your expertise, staff training and project delivery, you'll help embed a consistent approach to environmental monitoring across the organisation, enabling informed conservation decisions and reducing risks to irreplaceable collections.
What You'll Be Doing
Lead the installation and rollout of a new Environmental Monitoring System across all five IWM sites.
Coordinate the removal of legacy monitoring equipment and manage the transition to the new system.
Work closely with IT, Systems teams and external suppliers to migrate and validate historical environmental data.
Develop and oversee testing activities to ensure the new system delivers accurate and reliable monitoring data before full implementation.
Analyse environmental data and provide insights that support preventive conservation decision-making.
Deliver training, guidance and knowledge transfer to colleagues, building confidence and capability in the use of the new EMS.
Use environmental monitoring information to identify and mitigate risks to collections, displays and storage environments.
Build strong working relationships with colleagues across sites to ensure consistent environmental monitoring practices and successful project delivery.
What We're Looking For
We'd love to hear from you if you have:
A qualification in preventive conservation, museum studies, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
Strong knowledge of preventive conservation principles, including the agents of deterioration.
Experience delivering preventive conservation projects and environmental monitoring programmes.
Experience analysing environmental data and using findings to inform decisions and recommendations.
The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work to agreed deadlines.
Experience working within established procedures, policies and professional standards.
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple teams.
A collaborative and proactive approach to problem solving.
Willingness and ability to travel to IWM sites as required.
How You'll Work
You'll work closely with Preservation colleagues, site teams, IT specialists and external suppliers to deliver a high-profile project spanning all five IWM locations. The role combines practical project delivery, technical implementation and conservation expertise, requiring regular collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders. You'll be part of a team committed to protecting collections and sharing knowledge across the organisation to ensure long-term preservation success.
What Success Looks Like (First 6–12 Months)
Successfully deliver the installation and implementation of the new Environmental Monitoring System across all five IWM sites.
Establish effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and site teams.
Complete environmental data migration and validation activities with a high degree of accuracy.
Deliver training and guidance that enables colleagues to confidently use and maintain the new system.
Embed consistent environmental monitoring processes and practices across IWM.
Provide reliable environmental data and insights that support preventive conservation decision-making and reduce risks to collections.
For a full list of duties and the person specification (which your application will be marked against) please view the Job Description.
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Application closing date
July 29th 2026, 11:55 PM
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Interview Details
Interviews for this post are planned for the week commencing 03/08/2026
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Benefits
The benefits listed below are discretionary and IWM reserves the right, with due notice, to vary or withdraw them at any time. All such benefits apply during the course of your employment only.
Annual Leave: You'll have 25 days of annual leave, with public holidays on top. After 3 years, this increases to 27 days and after 5 years, you’ll get 30 days
Company Group Pension Plan: Our commitment to your financial well-being includes competitive employer contributions to your pension starting at 7% to a maximum of 12%.
Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Benefits: Celebrate life’s milestones with confidence, knowing that our policies support growing families.
IWM4me: Tailor your benefits to your unique needs through IWM4me. Access health, protection, and lifestyle benefits at corporate rates, ensuring your holistic well-being.
Free Sanitary Products: We prioritise your comfort by providing free sanitary products across all our sites.
Retail Discounts: 25% off IWM Cafes, 20% discount in on-site shops, Benefits hub offering retail discounts to several high street shops (via our EAP provider) and MyActive discounts for health and wellbeing based retail discounts (via IWM4me)
Free Entry to IWM Air Shows: Witness the thrill of vintage aircraft at our air shows.
Free Entry to Partner Museums & Galleries: Immerse yourself in art, history, and culture through our reciprocal arrangements with other institutions.
In-House Training Programmes: Fuel your intellectual curiosity and professional growth through our comprehensive training initiatives.
Season Ticket Loan Scheme: Simplify your daily commute with our interest-free loan program.
Cycle 2 Work & Cycle Hire: Promote well-being and environmental consciousness by cycling to work.
Eye Tests: Money back up to £80 for an eye test and a new pair of glasses.
Employee Assistance Programme: Access confidential support for personal or work-related challenges.
Benenden Healthcare & Dental Insurance: Prioritise your health with access to quality healthcare services (subject to terms and conditions).
Civil Service Sports Club Membership: Opportunity to join and enjoy additional discounts and perks as part of a vibrant community.
Staff Events and Networks: Join fellow colleagues in social gatherings and events, fostering camaraderie and shared experiences.
…and more!
Ready to embark on this exciting journey with us? Apply now and become part of IWM!
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Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. This role is subject to:
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A basic check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.
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Anticipated End Date
January 2028
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Equal Opportunities and Flexible Working
IWM is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunities.
We miss out when people feel IWM isn't for them, and are committed to removing and reducing barriers to make IWM open to everyone.
Our Access and Inclusion strategy has been developed to promote openness, equal opportunities to access, inclusivity and encourage diversity in everything that we do, from employment practices, the services we provide to our visitors to the facilities we make available to public.
At IWM we seek to address the need for greater diversity within our workforce as well as the wider museum and heritage sector. In all our practices we embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity and we welcome applications from suitable candidates of all backgrounds.
We value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life balance. Some roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, so if this is important to you please raise this with your recruitment contact, as we are open to discussing agile working opportunities during the hiring process.
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