Job Description

Hours:

37 Hours Per Week

Interview Date:

20th June 2025

Closing Date:

2nd June 2025

Salary:

Hay Band B (37,938 - 42,708 FTE)

Once you have submitted your application, please email recruitment@inspireculture.org.uk with your name, vacancy title and application reference so that we can check that your application has been received



Nottinghamshire Archives are seeking a Principal Archivist to lead in the delivery of all aspects of collections development and management in order to enable the service to manage its collections efficiently and effectively, ensuring that they are fully accessible to customers, in line with recognised accreditation and statutory standards. The postholder will work with a range of customers, volunteers and stakeholders and develop and deliver a programme of exhibitions, events and activities to increase awareness and use of the archives.



Reporting to the Heritage Services Manager the postholder will lead a team of archivists and archive officers in delivering frontline services, engagement, and digital preservation working closely with colleagues across the wider heritage team including our conservation, local studies and records management teams ensuring the service is inclusive and responsive to customer needs.



Nottinghamshire Archives is an Accredited Archive Service, and part of Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries. We hold over 5 million archives for Nottingham city and Nottinghamshire county dating back to the 12th century and are committed to offering a wide range of services designed to preserve Nottinghamshire's archival heritage and to foster and develop interest in archives.



We are looking for an experienced archivist with a postgraduate archival qualification, knowledge of archival standards, experience of cataloguing and archival cataloguing software such as Calm, a flexible, proactive, and enthusiastic approach to teamwork, experience of successful bid writing and excellent project management and communication skills. Attention to detail, time management and organisational skills are also essential.



Working 37 hours per week including some weekend and evening working, the postholder will be based at Nottinghamshire Archives in Nottingham. The ability to travel across the county by your own means is essential.



For an informal discussion about the role please contact Heritage Services Manager Ruth Imeson on Tel 0115 977 5692.



Interviews will be held 20 June 2025 at Nottinghamshire Archives, County House, Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham NG2 1AG

Principal Archivist

Grade

Hay Band B

Job Purpose

To deliver elements of the agreed business plan for Heritage Services, including archival outreach, collections development and management. To lead a team of qualified archivists and to provide specialist, technical and professional skills and to ensure that the service is inclusive and responsive to the needs of customers and local communities.

Key Responsibilities

To lead, manage, motivate, organise and coordinate the activities of a team of archive officers, digital preservation assistants, and qualified archivists to deliver a consistent high-quality service.

To identify and engage with customers, community groups, organisations, volunteers, partners and stakeholders to increase their use of and influence upon archives.

To develop and deliver high quality programmes of exhibitions, events and activities at Nottinghamshire Archives, libraries and other venues.

To supervise and train staff and volunteers where required.

To deliver the collections information and development plan including the cataloguing, indexing and promotion of archive resources.

To create and contribute to relevant plans, ensuring the setting and delivery of appropriate targets and standards.

To identify new opportunities for funding and income generation, make applications and deliver initiatives.

To work collaboratively with heritage colleagues in libraries and local studies to develop stock and collections and engage the public with them.

To contribute to the development, maintenance and operation of archive systems and procedures.

The post holder will work in accordance with all Inspire policies and procedures, Inspire Brand guidelines, Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) contractual requirements, and professional best practice

Education and Knowledge Required for the role



Degree plus postgraduate diploma in archive administration or Master's Degree (MA,MSc,MPhil)

Knowledge of archival standards and experience of cataloguing.

Good working knowledge of the principles and practice of people, performance, risk and project management

Knowledge of working to statutory and legislative standards

Knowledge of digital archiving

Skills and Experience



Experience of working in an archive, including archival cataloguing software, such as CALM.

Bidding for funding and initiating projects and partnerships and ability to plan into the medium and long term.

Experience of supervising staff or volunteers.

Role Dimensions



To programme and project manage countywide activities relating to programming and delivery of the archives heritage offer, working creatively with partners and staff to deliver excellent experiences for customers.

To ensure appropriate descriptions and development of the archival collections, and to encourage increased access.

Frontline delivery of services including the support and supervision of frontline staff and volunteers.

Inspire Competencies

Customer Service (Competency Level 4)

Demonstrates effective customer service skills - in person, online or on the phone - identifies and satisfies customer needs, adjusting their style with a friendly and professional approach as appropriate for the customer

Responds positively to customer concerns, acts to resolve or reassure customers as needed, agrees solutions with the customer or hands over to an appropriate colleague

Responds positively to any complaint or suggestion and seeks to resolve it within limits of their authority or hands over to a more senior manager as appropriate

Monitors, analyses and acts upon customer service data to maintain and/or improve the service. Considers the impact on customers when implementing change

Delivery the service offer (Competency Level 4)

Advises and promotes the Inspire Service Offer to customers - to meet their immediate needs and other services that could be of interest or benefit them

Embraces any changes to the offer and any associated changes to processes or working practices positively

Shares feedback about the Inspire offer with their line manager and contributes to meetings, discussions and related activities to ensure service delivery and/or improve our offer

Leads work to develop, enhance or create new elements of the Inspire service offer and where appropriate ensure there is an integrated customer offer and journey

Communicating well (Competency Level 4)

Communicates effectively in person, one-one-one, and in writing respectfully and in a style appropriate to the person and situation

Communicates effectively in a meeting or other group situation, respectfully and in a style appropriate to the group and situation with a solutions / can do approach

Debates or discusses positively with colleagues and line manager, sharing views and acknowledging and respecting the views of others and reaches agreement

Communicates complex information concisely and clearly, negotiates effectively across teams, services or with external partners and reaches agreement with all affected parties

Working together (Competency Level 4)

Adopts a friendly, helpful, supportive and respectful manner when working with others

Acts in a way that shows they are trustworthy, reliable and transparent in their dealings with others

Makes and implements decisions fairly, using good judgement and with integrity, in line with Inspire values and role modelling Inspire management and leadership behaviours

Forms and maintains effective internal and external working relationships across the organisation, with partners and stakeholders motivated by achieving the best for our customers and in best interests of all concerned

Managing others (Competency Level 3)

Effectively supervises and supports the day-to-day activities of a colleague(s) to enable them to perform their duties day-to-day, planning and co-ordinating the activity of colleague(s) to deliver tasks or activities over time to meet service demand effectively and efficiently

Manages and reviews performance and attendance of individuals effectively, setting goals, agreeing targets and organisations training as needed, tackling poor performance or attendance if required using Inspire policies

Manages their team and indirect teams effectively, monitoring group performance against service targets and acting proactively and positively in response to performance data to ensure service delivery targets are met

Leading the way (Competency Level 3)

Incorporate the spirit of Inspire's mission, vision and values in the work they do with customers, colleagues and stakeholders

Articulate and share Inspire's mission, vision and to enthuse and focus the efforts of colleagues

Contributes to the decision-making process, stands by decisions made and owns them implementing them

Working efficiently and cost effectively (Competency Level 3)

Uses Inspire resources and their time effectively to meet service demand, objectives and/or targets

Plans ahead, making best use if time and resources available to achieve service delivery, maximising the use of technology available, minimising unnecessary travel or waste, prioritising work and working within spending limits

Resolves competing or conflicting demand for resources and time effectively to meet the needs of themselves, colleagues and customers

Skills and qualifications (Competency Level 6b)

Experienced Qualified (3 years or more): Degree (service related) or Degree + post grad service specific qualification

Once you have submitted your application, please email recruitment@inspireculture.org.uk with your name, vacancy title and application reference so that we can check that your application has been received