Summary
Archives are the homes for our collective memories, past and future. The UK National Archives is the archive of government, archives sector lead and one of the world’s leading national archives. The National Archives' ambition is to become an inclusive, entrepreneurial and disruptive digital archive, constantly adapting and reshaping archival practice to meet its contemporary and future challenges.
You will lead a group of experts to deliver intellectual control over The National Archives holdings and to shape a comprehensive data workflow, curation and catalogue enhancement service.
As owner of this content and intellectual service, you will be accountable for its quality, enhancement and for the development of business processes and governance strategies.
This is a great opportunity to play a significant role in shaping archival practice at a time of digital transformation.
This is a full time post. However, requests for part time, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.
Job Description
Essential criteria:
- Degree and archival qualification (MA) or equivalent experience, with an excellent understanding of the theoretical and practical challenges surrounding archival description in a digital context.
- A credible leader and experienced line manager, able to inspire a team of three senior archivists and their reporting staff, managing resources effectively, and motivating the team to deliver high quality archival description, contextualisation and data curation services. A strong commitment to continuing professional development for self and others.
- A domain expert and strong advocate for archives, able to influence and lead beyond the immediate team through the sharing of records, standards, archival policy, metadata and PRA compliance expertise.
- Excellent grasp of evolving technologies for creating, managing, representing and re-using archival metadata, with an ability to see and manage information as data.
- Advanced research and analytical skills with an ability to act as a critical friend, analysing new problems quickly, developing options and devising practical solutions to address metadata challenges that streamline our practice and daily operations.
- Strong organisational, administrative and change management skills; able to determine priorities and to take the accountability, managing and reporting responsibilities of leading in the public sector, in your stride.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the presence and confidence to represent The National Archives and influence nationally and internationally.
Desirable criteria:
- Registered (RMARA) or Fellow (FARA) membership of the Archives and Records Association.
- Thorough understanding of content sensitivity and information security.