Assistant Archivist

Rothschild Foundation; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cultural heritage organization in the UK is seeking an Archive Assistant to support a full range of archive services, including cataloguing and digital preservation. The role involves responsibilities such as supervising volunteers and assisting researchers. Candidates should possess a recognised qualification in archive administration and have strong organisational and communication skills. This position offers attractive benefits including generous annual leave and pension matching.

Benefits

Annual leave – 25 days per year plus public holidays

Sick pay

Pension matching up to 10%

Mental health support

Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

Deposit loan scheme

Qualifications

• Ability to read French would be desirable.
• Demonstrable experience in digital preservation principles.
• Experience in supervising volunteers is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Assist with provision of a full range of archive services.
• Support the Head of Archives and Records in service delivery.
• Participate in public and private events.
• Supervise confidential waste collection.

Skills

Knowledge of current archival and records management professional standards

Customer service experience

Strong organisational skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Education

Recognised qualification in archive administration or records management

Tools

SharePoint

Job description

The post holder will assist with the provision of a full range of archive services including cataloguing, appraisal, answering enquiries, assisting researchers both onsite and remotely and assisting with digital preservation.

Responsibilities

• Listing records for appraisal and cataloguing in line with professional archival standards
• Basic collections preservation
• Appraising and preparing records for long‑term digital preservation and developing robust preservation systems
• Answering enquiries by email, telephone, letter or in person
• Supporting the Head of Archives and Records in delivering the strategic plan for high‑quality archives and records management for Waddesdon
• Copying documents and images for researchers
• Participating in public and private events, exhibitions, study sessions and educational activities as appropriate
• Assisting with the implementation and maintenance of SharePoint Online
• Supervising confidential waste collection in compliance with data legislation
• Supervising and managing the work of volunteers in the department, developing tasks for volunteers to do

Qualifications

• A recognised qualification in archive administration or records management (or equivalent demonstrable experience)
• Knowledge of current archival and records management professional standards and an understanding of digital preservation principles
• Knowledge of EDRMS (particularly SharePoint) and/or archive cataloguing systems
• Customer service experience
• A driving licence due to work on multiple sites
• Capability to read French would be desirable
• You are collaborative, engaged, and motivated, able to work both as a key part in a small team and independently, with strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills

Benefits

• Annual leave – 25 days per year plus 8 public holidays pro‑rata, increasing to 28, 30 and 32 days after 3, 5 and 10 years respectively
• Sick pay
• Pension – employer matches up to 10% of basic salary
• Income protection
• Mental health and wellbeing support – access to a wellbeing platform and fully funded 1:1 counselling service
• Enhanced maternity pay – up to 13 weeks at full pay followed by 26 weeks statutory pay after 12 months continuous service
• Enhanced paternity pay – up to 3 months at full pay after 12 months continuous service
• Deposit loan scheme – financial support for a private rental deposit

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a current CV and covering letter explaining how your experience and skills match those outlined above. Also include a written answer (no more than 500 words) to the question below:

Why do you think archives and records management are important to Waddesdon Manor and the Rothschild Foundation?

We are looking for candidates who are flexible, proactive and able to demonstrate excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills, with a sound problem‑solving approach in their work.