Vaults Assistant

British Film Institute; Dacorum; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave (rising to 30)

Bank holidays + extra from service

BFI pension scheme with 5% employer

BFI Childcare Scheme

Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

Complimentary tickets to BFI events

BFI Player subscription + merchandise/

Job summary

British Film Institute is seeking a Vaults Assistant on a fixed-term contract ending January 2029 to retrieve, transport, and re-file film, video, and digital assets with the highest standards of care. You will handle nitrate materials and follow BFI procedures, ensuring security and long‑term preservation throughout storage and retrieval.

The role supports the Stories in Motion project and involves driving BFI vans, lifting heavy loads, working at height, and strict safety compliance, with

Qualifications

• Valid UK manual driving licence with a safe driving record.
• Experience handling archive materials and driving vans would be advantageous.
• Ability to lift and manoeuvre heavy loads safely and work at height.
• Experience with archive storage, retrieval and re-filing processes is desirable.
• Adherence to safety procedures and collections care standards is essential.

Responsibilities

• Accurately retrieve archive assets from storage using cataloguing systems.
• Ensure safe, secure, and timely delivery of archive holdings to clients.
• Re-file assets with exact location control and accurate labeling.
• Barcode, label and track materials following established procedures.
• Drive BFI vans to transport archive holdings as required.
• Handle heavy materials during loading/unloading with care.
• Work at height safely, including ladder use where necessary.
• Maintain high standards of collections care and data accuracy throughout processes.

Skills

Driving licence

Heavy lifting

Archive handling

Asset tracking

Safety compliance

Job description

We are looking for a Vaults Assistant on a fixed term contract until January 2029 to retrieve, transport, and accurately re-file film, video, and digital assets within the holdings of the BFI National Archive, always ensuring the highest standards of collections care. The Vaults Assistant will handle all collection materials - particularly nitrate film - with exceptional care, strictly adhering to the BFI's nitrate handling procedures and safety regulations. While maintaining the security, integrity, and long-term preservation of all holdings throughout the retrieval, transportation, and storage processes. This role will support the collections review, insight and digitisation objectives and deliverables of the National Lottery-funded project 'Stories in Motion' supported by the BFI Screen Heritage National Lottery Fund. 'Stories in Motion' is a three-year programme designed to open the BFI National Archive to wider and diverse audiences, discover new collections, secure the UK's at-risk videotape screen heritage, and build a resilient, specialist skilled and diverse workforce for the future. The project aims to:

• Increase equitable public engagement with the UK's screen heritage
• Embed inclusive, community-led and collaborative practice across the BFI National Archive,
• Strengthen understanding, improving transparency and discoverability of the national collection
• Build sector resilience through partnerships and long-term workforce development

What you'll do

• Accurately retrieve archive assets from storage using the appropriate cataloguing and tracking systems provided.
• Ensure the safe, secure and timely delivery of archive holdings to internal and external clients.
• Re-file all assets with complete accuracy, always maintaining precise location control.
• Accurately barcode, label and track archive materials in accordance with established procedures.
• Drive BFI vans as required to transport archive holdings safely and efficiently.
  Previous relevant experience working in an archive and/or with collections materials.
• Demonstrable experience driving vans and regularly loading/unloading heavy materials.
• Ability to lift and manoeuvre heavy loads and equipment safely.
• Experience working at height, including climbing ladders safely.
• Valid UK manualdriving licence with a safe driving record.
  25 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service) + bank holidays + the option to buy up to 5 extra days of annual leave
• Additional paid time off between Christmas and New Year
• BFI pension scheme with 5% employer contribution
• BFI Childcare Scheme, where we contribute to childcare costs
• Enhanced pay for Maternity & Paternity leave
• Complimentary tickets to BFI Southbank & IMAX screenings and events
• Free BFI Player subscription + discount on BFI merchandise, and film tickets