John E. and Louise Bryson Director, Getty Conservation Institute at The J. Paul Getty Trust – Los Angeles, California

John E. and Louise Bryson Director, Getty Conservation Institute

US-CA-Los Angeles

Job ID: 2026-4739
Type: Regular Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Senior Level Management
Getty

Overview

The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI) works internationally to advance conservation practice in cultural heritage —objects, collections, buildings, sites, and heritage science—through field projects, scientific research, education and training, and the development and dissemination of new knowledge and information. In all its endeavors, the Institute creates and delivers knowledge that contributes to conservation of the world’s cultural heritage. Its work is driven by the values of excellence, innovation, leadership, collaboration, and service.

The John E. and Louise Bryson Director of the GCI is the Institute’s chief executive and strategic leader, steering and inspiring a diverse team of approximately 100 staff, cultivating a high performance, inclusive, learning culture that values collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

Serving on Getty’s executive team, the new Director will conceive, shape and execute a compelling vision for conservation in the twenty-first century, affirming GCI—and Getty more broadly—as a global leader in research-led, values-based, sustainable cultural heritage conservation practice.

This position is based at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, California.

Getty has partnered with Bridge Partners LLC and welcomes nominations or expressions of interest. To learn more about this opportunity, please contact:

Tory Clarke Amy Shea

Partner, Bridge Partners Partner, Bridge Partners

tory.clarke@bridgepartnersllc.com amy.shea@bridgepartnersllc.com

Responsibilities

• 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 audience.
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.