Project Archivist

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust; Stratford-upon-Avon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is seeking an experienced Project Archivist to join our Collections team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. You will lead the arrangement and cataloguing of the Abd'Elkader Farrah Design Archive, developing metadata and descriptive frameworks to improve discovery for researchers and communities.

Reporting to the Collections Manager, you will work with colleagues, researchers and volunteers to preserve material, support public engagement and, where appropriate,

Qualifications

• Qualified archivist or equivalent professional experience with cataloguing and collections management.
• Experience with theatre, performance or design archives is advantageous.
• Ability to develop descriptive frameworks and metadata; experience with digital preservation workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead the arrangement and cataloguing of the Abd'Elkader Farrah Design Archive.
• Develop descriptive frameworks and metadata to improve discoverability and access.
• Support preservation activities and contribute to future public display of selected material.

Skills

Archivist experience

Cataloguing

Public engagement

Education

Qualified archivist

Equivalent professional experience

Job description

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Project Archivist to join our Collections team on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

The Archives Revealed programme is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Pilgrim Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and The National Archives.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with the Abd'Elkader Farrah Design Archive, a rare and internationally significant collection documenting the work of one of the twentieth century's most innovative scenographers. The successful candidate will lead a major cataloguing and access programme, helping to make this important archive more discoverable, accessible and meaningful for researchers, creative practitioners and communities.

Reporting to the Collections Manager, you will play a central role in the management, preservation and interpretation of the Farrah Design Archive. You will lead the arrangement and cataloguing of the collection, develop descriptive frameworks and metadata, support preservation activity, and contribute to a future public display of selected material. You will also work closely with colleagues, researchers, volunteers, academics and community partners, building productive relationships and ensuring stakeholders remain informed and engaged throughout the project.

As part of the Trust's interdisciplinary collections team, you will contribute to the ongoing development of archival practice, helping to deliver sustainable, inclusive and user-focused approaches to collections management, access and engagement. You will be a qualified archivist, or possess equivalent professional experience, with a proven track record of cataloguing and managing archive collections in a heritage, cultural, academic or similar environment. Experience with theatre, performance or design archives, digital preservation workflows, public engagement, exhibitions, and innovative technologies within archive settings would be advantageous.

You will be a key part of our interdisciplinary team of museum, library and archive expertise. You work closely with museum, library and archive colleagues, providing expertise on shared projects, service delivery and development. You will be committed to working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to increase public access to, and engagement with, our collections.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 15 November 2026. First stage interviews will take place on Wednesday 25 November 2026, and these will be in-person in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre. Second stage interviews will take place on Monday 7 December 2026, and these will be virtual.

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and building a diverse and representative workforce.