FOI Manager

National Museums; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Archives seeks an experienced FOI Manager to oversee access decisions for closed historical records, ensuring compliance with FOI, EIR and DPA Acts. You will manage FOI casework and assessors/researchers, advise senior leaders, and influence information rights across government.

The role combines leadership with complex legal interpretation and ongoing FOI policy development. You will work within the FOI Management team, supporting timely decisions, staff development, and

Qualifications

• Knowledge of FOI and Data Protection Acts (or equivalent experience).
• Ability to prioritise workload under tight deadlines and make key decisions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accessibility decisions comply with FOI, EIR and DPA Acts.
• Manage FOI casework and staff Assessors & Researchers.
• Provide expertise to Heads of Centre and information rights units across government.
• Lead appeals/tribunals position and shape guidelines.

Skills

FOI knowledge

Data Protection Acts

Decision making

leadership

Communication

Job description

The Domesday Book. Shakespeare’s will. Tweets from Downing Street. War time records. These are just some of the 11 million items held by The National Archives. With a collection like this – the largest in the world – it’s no surprise that we handle over five percent of all Freedom of Information (FOI) requests received by the Government. As FOI Manager, you’ll have a great opportunity to work with closed historical records. You’ll ensure decisions regarding their access are efficiently and appropriately managed to keep operations running smoothly. Join us and you’ll work in an organisation that offers great support and exceptional benefits.

About the role:

The majority of the FOI requests we receive are for closed historical information. Your key responsibilities will involve ensuring we comply with legal obligations set by FOI, EIR and DPA Acts. This includes managing FOI casework and FOI staff Assessors & Researchers - who undertake the bulk of review work. As well as managing the FOI caseload, you’ll be a source of expertise, guiding the Head of Centre and giving advice on difficult cases. As part of the FOI Management team, you’ll be responsible for deciding our legal position on appeals and tribunals. This means working closely with senior figures from The National Archives managers to information rights units across government. At the same time, you’ll promote FOI knowledge across the organisation. You’ll give updates on guidelines, consider feedback and shape future operations.

About you:

To join us, you should have good knowledge of FOI and Data Protection Acts OR significant relevant experience involving researching, analysing and summarising complex information. It is equally important that you have the ability to prioritise workload according to tight deadlines and have judgment to make key FOI and access decisions, together with the confidence to defend them. Strong communication skills are essential – especially as you’ll be influencing senior figures and explaining points of law in detail. You’ll need to inspire a dedicated team to meet deadlines and perform. If you’re an experienced leader, ideally with FOI knowledge, we’d like to hear from you.

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department. A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.

National Museum Directors' Council, National Museums Liverpool, World Museum, WilliamBrown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN