Getty Conservation Institute Director

Overview

Getty Conservation Institute Director

Job Family:
Senior Level Management
Type:
Regular Full-Time
Position Status:
Getty Center
Workplace Type:
Hybrid/Partially Remote
Hiring Pay Scale: $500,000+ Annually
Program/Department:
Conservation Institute - 0601-Office of the Director
Requisition Number:

Getty is committed to creating a welcoming workplace that reflects the various backgrounds of the communities we serve. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

• Develop, articulate, and execute a multi-year strategy for the GCI that advances Getty's mission and institutional priorities.
• Initiate and implement flagship GCI initiatives and research agendas that measurably improve cultural heritage conservation practice and outcomes globally.
• Enhance a "One Getty" mindset by fostering cross-program initiatives with the J. Paul Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Foundation—aligning goals, resources, and communications.
• Steer GCI's research pipeline, field projects, standards development, and training programs; ensure scholarly rigor, transparency, and global relevance.
• Advance open access to data, tools, and publications; promote digital platforms that expand reach and provide knowledge and resources to conservation practitioners.
• Embed sustainability and climate resilience across methodologies, materials, facilities, and field operations.
• Serve as a visible, persuasive spokesperson for heritage conservation with international organizations, governments, NGOs, peer institutions, and funders.
• Build and steward strategic partnerships with intergovernmental organizations, governments, agencies, museums, universities, communities, and professional associations to co-develop programs and scale impact.
• Engage the Los Angeles region—civic and cultural partners, academic institutions, and diverse communities—supporting Getty's goal to be the city's definitive arts leader.
• Build trust across cultures and sectors; negotiate alignment; communicate compellingly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Lead and inspire a diverse staff, cultivating a human-centered, inclusive, learning culture that values collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Attract, retain, and develop talent; ensure robust succession planning, professional development, and staff engagement.
• Maintain strong project governance and portfolio management to assure impact and deliver work on time and to scope.
• Ensure fiscal discipline and resource allocation of the GCI's $21.6M annual operating budget, as generated from Getty's endowment.
• Develop and steward the GCI Council, which helps to support the work of the GCI, and leverage other external funding opportunities.
• Ensure management of risks and alignment with institutional processes and controls.
• Foster a culture of compliance with relevant safety, legal, and ethical standards in laboratories, studios, field sites, and data practices.

• 10+ years senior leadership in a complex, mission-driven, knowledge-based cultural heritage and/or conservation organization.
• Advanced degree (e.g., MA, PhD, DPhil) required in relevant discipline: conservation, heritage science, architecture, planning, archaeology, engineering, art history with conservation focus, or equivalent.
• Experience with institution-level responsibility for people, budgets, and complex, multi-year strategic initiatives.
• Multilingual proficiency a plus.

• International experience and a demonstrated commitment to global knowledge exchange.
• Demonstrated success as a collaborative executive leader in a complex, mission-driven organization, having managed and empowered staff to support its progress, raise its profile, and elevate its impact.
• Experience in attracting, retaining, and developing staff, with a record of robust professional development, staff well-being, and succession planning programs.
• Proven track record of leading large, multi-partner projects; managing complex budgets; advancing standards or best practices; shaping policy; or scaling training/capacity building initiatives.
• Effective and inspiring relationship-builder internally and externally, open-minded with a high level of emotional intelligence, driven by a passion for knowledge-sharing.
• Broad and deep knowledge in cultural heritage conservation internationally, including trends and needs in the field.
• Record of scholarship, practice, or demonstrated leadership across the cultural heritage ecosystem, including intergovernmental, government, non-profit, and private sectors.
• Outward-facing…