Assistant to the Chairman, Department of Conservation presso Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), is seeking an Assistant to the Chairman, Department of Conservation, to provide critical administrative support for the department. This position ensures the smooth daily operations of the department and the office of the Chairman, supporting a team of conservators, scientists, fellows, and interns who care for the museum’s world-class collections.

This is more than an administrative role — it’s an opportunity to be part of a lab that values curiosity, collaboration, and the generous exchange of knowledge. The Assistant to the Chairman is a key partner in fostering efficiency, professionalism, and connection across the museum.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking someone who shares our core values and is also:

• Organized and thoughtful. You bring clarity and structure to complex tasks, ensuring that details are never lost in the shuffle.
• Works collaboratively. This is a team-driven lab rooted in the generosity of knowledge, time, and credit.
• Thrives in complexity. You can move fluidly between budgets, travel arrangements, records retention, and the passionate nuances of museum work.
• Sees what we do in conservation as a shared responsibility. Your work supports effectively across disciplines, departments, and job titles.
• Leads with humility and curiosity. You support a culture of learning, respect, and shared growth.
• Is values-driven. Integrity, empathy, and respect for diverse lived experiences guide your approach.
• Understands that how we work matters. Excellence should never come at the cost of well-being, equity, or kindness.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Provide comprehensive administrative support for the Chairman of Conservation, ensuring they are fully prepared for meetings, projects, and correspondence.
• Manage departmental budgets, invoices, and expense tracking.
• Coordinate purchasing, vendor relationships, and service contracts.
• Schedule and organize departmental meetings, conferences, tours, and events, including preparing agendas, notes, and follow-ups.
• Oversee standard office functions: staff time-off records, mail, supplies, scheduling, and visitor reception.
• Arrange travel logistics and reservations for conservation staff.
• Support fellows, interns, volunteers, and scholars, including orientation, scheduling, and file requests.
• Maintain departmental manuals, records, and compliance with retention policies.
• Partner with colleagues to ensure the conservation facility and shared spaces are well-maintained.
• Contribute to special projects and professional development opportunities as they arise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in liberal arts or related field or a combination of education and directly related experience in a similar role.
• At least two years of administrative or office management experience.
• Prior experience in a museum, conservation, or cultural heritage environment is highly desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and the ability to quickly learn new software.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Discretion and professionalism in handling confidential information.
• A collaborative, flexible mindset with a commitment to equity, respect, and teamwork.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work will primarily be performed in an office environment.  The work will involve extended periods of sitting and computer use.  With or without reasonable accommodation, the selected individual must have the capacity to perform all essential functions effectively. In addition to the other demands mentioned, the demands of the job may or will include:

• Must undergo and meet company standards for background and reference checks.
• Required ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently.
• Extensive computer usage.
• Seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly in order to communicate with staff, guests, and others.
• Frequent sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, and walking, which may be required for extended periods of time.
• Good vision or corrected by the use of glasses and/or contacts for reading and viewing abilities.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

Research shows some individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: [email protected]

Compensation and Benefits

Benefits

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Medical Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a choice of managed health care programs
• Dental Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through two plan choices
• Vision Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a vision program
• Group health, dental, and vision insurance coverage available and effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role.
• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• Long Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee

The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories:

• Paid Time Off- Used for absences from work such as vacation, illness of short duration, and personal reasons. Hours are accrued biweekly, based on employment status, length of service, and hours worked
• Reserve Time Off - Used for extended illnesses. Employees accrue up to 6 days per year, up to a maximum of 120 days
• Holidays - Full-time employees receive eleven paid holidays per year
• Volunteer Time Off - The MFAH supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work. Employees receive up to 40 hours of paid time off annually to give back and volunteer.

Other Benefits

• Staff may contribute to the MFAH Retirement Savings Plan. Eligible staff contributing to the plan may receive up to a 5% matching contribution from the MFAH after one year of service.  (We also recognize prior nonprofit service which will provide for an accelerated employer match!)
• Roth IRA also available!
• MFAH Membership – Staff receive a free Family-level membership
• Discounts – Staff receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and all on campus eateries and courses for you or your family at the Glassell School of Art.
• Metro commuter subsidy available upon request
• Professional development support and museum membership
• Relocation assistance and research-related travel funds may be available

Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and the needs and requirements expressed in the job description.  The MFAH has established the pay range for this job and level as a general guideline, not a guarantee of the compensation amount or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, the needs and requirements expressed in the job description, as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data, and any related regulations or other laws.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants should apply online, as this is the most effective way to ensure consideration.  Application materials should include:

• CV or résumé
• Cover letter addressing your qualifications, interest in the position, and how your values align with the MFAH's mission
• Contact information for three professional references

Applications or letters of interest sent via mail, fax, or direct email to a staff member will not ensure consideration. 

1. Visit the MFAH Careers page at –

https://www.mfah.org/about/careers/

1. "Click" on All current employment opportunities
2. Scroll through the listings to find this role.
3. "Click" and apply!
4. It's that easy.

Why Join Us – More About the MFAH and Conservation

At MFAH, conservation is about more than preserving objects; it’s about sustaining stories, knowledge, and community. As Assistant to the Chairman, you’ll be a trusted partner in advancing this mission, ensuring that the department runs smoothly while contributing to a culture that values curiosity, learning, and care.

The Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is home to 21 diverse and highly skilled team of conservation professionals dedicated to the preservation and study of the museum’s encyclopedic collection. The staff includes specialists in paintings, paper, photo, science, sculpture and objects, textiles, time-based media art, as well as imaging specialist, conservation technicians, matting and framing technicians, fellows, and interns. We care for an encyclopedic collection, which includes almost 80,000 objects and spans 5,000 years of achievement in the arts. Together, we bring a wide range of expertise in historical and contemporary materials, treatment methodologies, and preventive conservation. We have a collaborative spirit, with intellectual rigor, and commitment to ethical and inclusive practice, our team works closely with curators, educators, and scientists to advance cross-disciplinary research, public engagement, and innovative approaches to collections care. The Center fosters a supportive environment where mentorship, transparency, and continual learning are core values. We are proud to be one of the most diverse conservation laboratories in the U.S.—and we approach that responsibility with care, respect, and determination.

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600+ employees and 1,000+ docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution comprises multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, three eateries, and two house museums dedicated to decorative arts.

As an employer, MFAH offers a supportive, collegial, and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.