Records Manager & Archivist

THE METHODIST CHURCH; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A religious organization is seeking a Records Manager & Archivist to oversee the management of analogue and digital records across its London offices. The role involves advising staff on records management, implementing electronic systems, and managing collections. Candidates should have a strong background in archives management and be prepared to liaise with various archival services. The organization offers excellent benefits including generous leave and a robust pension scheme, emphasizing inclusivity and wellbeing.

Benefits

Generous annual leave including extra days over Christmas/New Year

Occupational pension scheme with significant employer contribution

On-site Wellbeing Advisor service

Qualifications

• Experience in records and archives management is essential.
• Familiarity with Church structures and record keeping is an advantage.
• Ability to support the implementation of electronic records management systems.

Responsibilities

• Advise on records management strategy and practices.
• Undertake collections management tasks like appraisal and cataloguing.
• Manage volunteers to enhance capacity in archives.

Skills

Records and archives management

Analogue and digital record management

Advising on records management practices

Collections management

Liaising with archive services

Job description

Records Manager & Archivist

The duties within this unique role will be shared across the main London offices of the Methodist Church in Britain and United Reformed Church. The successful candidate will be a suitably qualified and experienced records and archives management professional, who is confident to work across our different sites and systems. You will be a knowledgeable manager of analogue and digital records and archives. Some familiarity with Church structures and record keeping would be an advantage.

You will need to be able to advise the staff teams for both Churches on records management strategy and practice and support them in the implementation of electronic records management systems (ERMS). You will also be able to undertake collections management tasks such as appraisal, condition assessments, basic cleaning and re-packaging and cataloguing.

You will need to be able to liaise effectively with the archive services where our collections are deposited, and work with our voluntary heritage committees and archival advisers. You will be encouraged to appoint and manage volunteers to build capacity around this work.

The Methodist Church has records from the early 18th century onwards. Its governance records (estimated at c4m items) are deposited in the John Rylands Research Institute & Library, University of Manchester, and its missionary collections in the SOAS Library, University of London. Records of the Church at a local level are deposited with local authority archive services. There are also five ‘community archives’ (www.MyMethodistHistory.org.uk) managed by volunteer editors.

The United Reformed Church was established in 1972, with its roots in the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches. The search for a new location for the centralised deposit and permanent preservation of URC records is a key objective for this post-holder, along with developing and supporting the management of current administrative records.

Both organisations maintain offsite record storage and occasional travel to them will be a necessary part of this role.

Our Culture, Values and Benefits

Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming team that strives for excellence and values employee wellbeing.

We value and support all those who join our team through a positive work-life balance augmented by generous annual leave (plus an extra 3 days over Christmas/New Year), TOIL, flexi-leave and an on-site Wellbeing Advisor service. We offer a generous occupational pension scheme, where the Methodist Church will pay double the employee contribution up to a maximum of 16% employer contribution.

The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. We welcome applications from people living with disabilities.

Closing date: 9am on 5 January 2025

Interviews in person in London: 22 January 2025