Job Description

Starting salary:

57996

Contract type:

Permanent

Grade:

6

Location:

John Sinclair House (with hybrid working )

Working Hours:

Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week

Interviews:

To be held in person at John Sinclair House on Wednesday 3 September 2025


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.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland

Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme - 28% employer contribution 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) + 11.5 public holidays Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions Support for further education and personal development Study leave for work related courses Flexible working hours (where appropriate) Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests) Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties

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.

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to submit a cover letter which addresses how you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 1,200 words), using examples of where you have demonstrated these criteria previously. Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience.

Essential:

Established professional with proven track record and experience of working in the archive sector in a senior management capacity Expertise in the management of major archival collections (physical and digital), providing strategic direction, operational delivery, policy development in all areas of functional activity (archive development, cataloguing, digitisation, conservation and public access etc) Staff leadership and management skills including performance and attendance management; motivating and developing individuals and teams; and promotion of health and safety and wellbeing. Detailed knowledge of the overall current context for the historic environment and archives in Scotland and the UK Knowledge of and expertise from implementation of standards relating to the historic environment or archives Knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework relating to information and archives management across the UK Experience of representing an organisation on external boards, committees or working groups which delivered tangible and successful outcomes Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, you must be a confident and persuasive communicator and good team player Demonstrable experience of working with other organisations and stakeholders to build and develop constructive relationships and partnerships to deliver tangible and beneficial outcomes Research and analytical skills, including monitoring processes and introducing improvements and efficiencies Financial and risk management experience An SCQF 10 or 11 in a relevant subject (e.g. history, Scottish History, archaeology, architectural history), or a related field, or relevant experience Postgraduate qualification in Archives and Records management or similar




We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.


We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at recruit@hes.scot or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.


Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

Due to site maintenance, please note that we are currently experiencing problems with issuing notification emails through our recruitment platform. If you have not received notification that your application has been received, please email recruit@hes.scot. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this.