Archive Assistant

DC Thomson; Dundee; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

DC Thomson in Dundee/Aberdeen seeks an Archive Assistant to manage and enhance archive materials, metadata and access for diverse audiences. The role emphasizes safe handling, digitisation, and timely user support within a collaborative team.

You will support discovery, improve data quality, and contribute to brand value by making heritage assets more usable for editorial, research and commercial opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in archives or similar information resources.
• Experience handling historical material and artifacts.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Safe manual handling capability.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, databases and digitisation workflows.

Responsibilities

• Collection control and discoverability through accurate accessioning, listing, cataloguing and metadata entry.
• Digitisation and data quality through high-quality digital scans and metadata.
• Access, retrieval and user service ensuring timely responses and policy-compliant support.
• Collection care and operational resilience with safe handling, packaging and storage housekeeping.
• Research, insight and commercial enablement to identify relevant material and inform decisions.
• Continuous improvement and best practice using archive systems and automating tasks where appropriate.

Skills

Analytical classification

Methods and tools

Business intelligence

Information governance

AI and data ethics

Stakeholder relationship management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Databases

Image editing software

Digitisation workflows

Job description

Job Title:Archive Assistant
Location:Supporting both Dundee & Aberdeen sites (Office based 5 days a week)
Physical demands:Regular manual handling of loads up to 12.5 kg at shoulder height and intermittent work at height from ladders, requiring balance, upper body strength, and safe working practices.

DCThomson media and publishing company is recruiting for an Archive Assistant in our Dundee, UK office.Our archive team plays a key role in connecting people with our rich collections, working with both internal and external stakeholders to provide access and support for diverse audiences.

This is an opportunity to gain exposure toarchive collections, records, metadata,digitisationoutputs, routine research enquiries,collectioncareactivityand archive user support.The work completed by the Archive Assistant will be instrumental infacilitatingarchive material being easier to find, use, evidence and repurpose in ways that strengthen brand value, audiencerelevanceand commercial opportunity.

The Archive Assistant protects,organisesand unlocksthe commercial,editorialand cultural value of DC Thomson’s archive collections.The role supports theaccuratemanagement, digitisation,discoverabilityand safe handling of archive assets so that the business can use its heritage effectively across content, brand, licensing, product,researchand audience engagement opportunities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Collection Control and Discoverability:Accountable foraccurateaccessioning, listing,cataloguingand metadata entry forallocatedarchive materials, improving the reliability, searchability and business usability of archive records.

• Digitisationand Data Quality:Accountable for producing andmaintaininghigh-quality digital scans and associated metadata, enabling archive content to be reused efficiently across research, editorial, brand, commercial and audience-facing opportunities.

• Access, Retrieval and User Service:Accountable fortimelyretrieval, production, re-filingand routine enquiry support, ensuring users receiveaccurate, policy-compliantand commercially aware archive support.

• Collection Care and Operational Resilience:Accountable for safe handling, packaging, labelling, boxing, shelfmanagementand store housekeeping, reducing risk to archive assets andmaintainingcollections in usable condition.

• Research, Insight and Commercial Enablement:Accountable for supporting basic research and evidence gathering that helps teamsidentifyrelevant archive material, strengthen storytelling, informproductor brand decisions and create value from heritage assets.

• Continuous Improvement, Automation and Best Practice:Accountable for using archive systems,dataand approved tools consistently,identifyingopportunities to improve workflows, reduce duplication, automate repeatable tasks whereappropriateand share practical best practice across teams.

Skills:

• Analytical classification-Applies domain guidance, standards and judgement to classify archive material, assign metadata and create records that support analysis,retrievaland reuse.

• Methods and tools-Uses agreed archive systems,digitisationtools,templatesand procedures consistently, helping improve workflow quality and adoption across routine archive activity.

• Business intelligence-Supports the production and maintenance of reliable collection, usage and enquiry information that helps managers understand demand,prioritiesand value.

• Information and data compliance-Applies information governance, rights,retentionand access requirements to archive work, escalating risks where use, disclosure or reuse may require approval.

• Artificial intelligence and data ethics-Uses approved AI,automationor data toolsresponsibly whereintroduced, protecting accuracy, provenance, privacy,rightsand transparency in archive workflows.

• Stakeholder relationship management-Maintainseffective working relationships with internal users and external contacts, clarifying needs, managingexpectationsand providing reliable routine support.

Experience:

• Experience in archives, records, libraries, museums, heritagecollectionsor similar information resources

• Experience handling historical materialand artifacts

• Strong attention to detail

• Safe manual handling capability

• Confidence using Microsoft Office,databases,image editingsoftwareand digitisationworkflows.

Behaviours that will help this role succeed:

• Being More Curious:Asks good questions about collection context, userneedand potential reuse; looks beyond the immediate task to understand why archive material matters to the business and audience.

• Experiment with Purpose:Tests practical improvements tocataloguing,digitisation, templates, datacaptureor automation in a controlled way, focusing on quality,efficiencyand repeatable benefit.

• Owning the Outcomes:Takes responsibility for accuracy,follow-throughand safe handling; flags risks early; and ensures commitments to users and colleagues are delivered to the required standard.

• Being More Collaborative:Works openly with archive colleagues and portfolio teams, sharing knowledge, documentingdecisionsand helping others access and use archive material appropriately.

• Being More Collaborative:Builds trust through consistent service, clearcommunicationand respect for different priorities across the matrix, whilemaintainingarchive standards and governance.

Closing date for applications:27th August at 12:00noon