Vacancy for Head of Archives and Library at Historic Environment Scotland

Digital Preservation Coalition; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A national heritage organization is seeking a Head of Archives and Library to lead a dedicated team. This role involves managing Scotland’s significant collections, ensuring their preservation and providing public access. Key responsibilities include strategic direction, team management, stakeholder engagement, and budgetary oversight. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in archives and a proven ability to lead and innovate in a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing archives and libraries.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to support professional development.
• Proven ability to represent at senior levels and engage with external partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Archives and Library Department with strategic direction.
• Manage a team and foster a positive working environment.
• Develop outreach activities to enhance understanding of archives.
• Ensure compliance with governance procedures.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic management

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Job description

• Vacancy for Head of Archives and Library at Historic Environment Scotland

Vacancy for Head of Archives and Library at Historic Environment Scotland

13 August 2025

Edinburgh, Scotland (Hybrid)

Full-Time

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a team of dedicated professionals who manage, care for and provide access to one of Scotland’s National Collections. With physical archives dating from the 17th century through to the most recent digital archives, and an extensive reference library, it is a remarkable collection focused on the entirety of the historic environment.

Key Responsibilities of this role

Lead the Archives and Library Department with specific responsibility for its strategic direction and operational delivery. This includes the development of the archive, its long-term preservation and security, and the delivery of a high- quality public enquiry service.

Management of a specialist team of staff. This includes providing strong leadership to support a good working environment and professional development.

Represent HES at a senior level, identifying and engaging with stakeholders and external partners to develop the archive and information services, collaborative projects and to work together to ensure archives identified as at risk are secured for the future in an appropriate location.

Provide advice and expert knowledge to support decision making across HES.

Establish and maintain productive relationships with teams across HES

Develop outreach activities and research initiatives to increase the understanding of the archive and its use.

Develop and implement archive policies and maintain good practices and standards across the department, making sure that there is a culture of continuous improvement.

Develop and maintain relationships and partnerships with other relevant bodies, such as other UK heritage bodies

Budgetary management ensuring compliance with HES governance procedures.

Identification and management of risks.

Contribute to development of corporate systems and performance which delivers best practice, value for money and continued business improvement for the delivery of the HES Corporate Plan.

Other duties allocated by the CEO, including deputizing when required and representation of HES on external committees.