Project Archivist

Shakespeare; Stratford-upon-Avon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Events

Employee Discounts

Free Parking

Health and Wellbeing Programme

Employee Assistance programme

Job summary

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon is seeking an experienced Project Archivist to lead a major cataloguing and access programme for the Abd'Elkader Farrah Design Archive. The role focuses on arranging, describing metadata, and preparing materials for research, exhibitions and public engagement.

Reporting to the Collections Manager, you will work with researchers, volunteers and partners to develop descriptive frameworks, ensure preservation, and contribute to future public

Qualifications

• Qualified archivist or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience with theatre, performance or design archives, digital preservation workflows, public engagement, exhibitions and innovative technologies within archive settings would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the arrangement and cataloguing of the collection.
• Develop descriptive frameworks and metadata.
• Support preservation activity.
• Contribute to a future public display of selected material.
• Collaborate with researchers, volunteers, academics and community partners to engage stakeholders.

Skills

Archival theory

Cataloguing

Collection management

Managing cataloguing projects

Communication skills

Archivist experience

Education

Qualified archivist or equivalent experience

Job description

Celebrating Shakespeare is at the heart of everything we do.

We are 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 encouraging equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) in our recruitment practices and in the working practices of our staff and volunteers.

Please download to view supporting documents below.

JD - Project Archivist - October 2026.pdf

GI - Project Archivist - FT, FTC - October 2026.pdf

Skills for the job

• Archival theory
• Archivist
• Cataloguing
• Collection Management
• Managing cataloguing projects
• Written and verbal communication skills

Company Events Employee Discounts Free Parking Health and Wellbeing Programme Employee Assistance programme

• Company Events
• Employee Discounts
• Free Parking
• Health and Wellbeing Programme
• Employee Assistance programme