John E. and Louise Bryson Director, Getty Conservation Institute

The Role

Reports to: J. Paul Getty Trust, President and CEO

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Overview: 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 responsibility comes at a pivotal moment marked by rapid technological change and intensifying environmental, economic and ideological risks to cultural heritage. The Director will drive impact, innovation, deepen global partnerships.

• External:
  Partners including peer institutions; domestic and international government and non-government cultural agencies; multilateral organizations; universities and research labs; professional associations; community partners; funders and philanthropies; GCI Support Council Members.
• Internal:
  President and CEO;
  Directors of the J. Paul Getty Museum, Getty Research Institute, and Getty Foundation;
  Executive Vice President, Finance & Operations;
  Vice President, Communications & Community Engagement;
  Vice President, Chief Digital Officer;
  Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees;
  Vice President, Development and Institutional Advancement; and Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer.

• 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…