Permanent, Full Time Role (36.5 hours per week)

This is a very exciting opportunity to lead a world-renowned University archive with one of the most culturally significant archives of recent British history.

The University of Warwick is looking for an Archives Manager to lead the Modern Records Centre (MRC) The MRC holds collections specifically related to trade union and business history and (more widely) British society. Its 16km of printed collections and c.9GB of born digital and digitised materials includes the archives of the TUC and CBI, as well as the papers of several prominent figures in trade union, industrial and political history. The archive is consulted by scholars the world over and Warwick’s research, teaching and undergraduate communities, as well as members of the local community interested in their heritage, and local schools as part of Warwick’s widening participation programmes.
The MRC received Archive Service Accreditation of The National Archives in 2019.

We are looking for a qualified archivist with a Postgraduate Diploma or MA in Archive Administration and extensive experience as an archivist in a managerial or senior role, ideally in a Higher Education setting. The successful candidate will have substantial knowledge of the use and role of archives in an educational setting, knowledge of archive cataloguing and metadata schema, a good understanding of preservation processes, disaster planning and relevant health and safety standards, as well as in-depth knowledge of developments in digital archives and allied systems, software and applications. As the postholder will be leading the MRC team we are looking for someone with proven experience of staff management and leading a multidisciplinary team.

The MRC has recently acquired the management of the archives of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). and has a significant programme of work scheduled so a successful track record of project management is key. Candidates must have experience of leading creative engagement and learning activities for both an internal and external audience. A good knowledge of developments in interpretation, communication and marketing (including the effective use of social media and digital assets) is essential.

For more details please see the job description and person specification for the role. More information about the University of Warwick can be found via https://warwick.ac.uk/about. The MRC is currently part of the Academic Services Division of the University of Warwick Library (https://warwick.ac.uk/services/library/).

This is a truly exceptional opportunity. If you wish to discuss the role further do not hesitate to contact Karen Jackson, Acting Head of Academic Services, via k.jackson.3@warwick.ac.uk

Interview date: 22 February 2023.

Job Description

JOB PURPOSE

To be responsible for the strategic and operational management of the Modern Records Centre (MRC) and University Archives.

To oversee the management and development of the physical and digital collections of the MRC and their use in teaching, research and community engagement.


DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Collections Management

Develop and implement policies for, and oversee the delivery of, collections management, collections development and collections care activities for the MRC:
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To manage the acquisition, cataloguing and access to archives, ensuring that internal and external researchers’ needs are met and the MRC's reputation for research and teaching support is maintained and enhanced.
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To develop and maintain good relationships with donors and depositors.
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To maintain awareness of, and adhere to, legislative requirements of the service (GDPR, IP etc).
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To ensure IT systems and software are fit for purpose to support professional cataloguing standards.
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To ensure the collections are held securely and meet appropriate storage and conservation standards (e.g. BS4971).
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To work with the Digital Preservation Officer to support and develop digital preservation services for the institutional and deposited collections.
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To liaise regularly with the University’s Records Management team to support the deposit and management of institutional collections, both physical and digital.
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To have responsibility for the care of Library special collections held in the MRC.
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To work to KPIs and provide data on collection usage as required.

2. Teaching and Outreach

Promote the MRC as a teaching and research asset:
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To promote the MRC to the Academy as a teaching and research collection.
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To work with academic colleagues to embed the MRC in the curriculum, as appropriate.
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To work with the Outreach and Widening Participation Officer to use the MRC with local schools and to support the University’s WP ambition.
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To support and participate in the delivery of face-to-face and online teaching sessions and workshops.
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To develop and expand wider access to physical, digital and audio-visual resources held in the Centre through appropriate marketing strategies.
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To promote the collection to external audiences by exhibitions, online marketing, presentations and publications.

3. Project Management

Develop and initiate new projects both within the University and with external partners to enhance the use and reputation of the MRC:
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To seek additional funding to support and enhance services and facilities and make funding bids.
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To manage existing projects (including the project to acquire, maintain and exploit the NUM archives).
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To seek out other project opportunities as appropriate.

4. Digital Development

Deliver a digital strategy for the Modern Records Centre to support its work:
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To work with relevant Library and University colleagues to develop and implement a digital strategy for the MRC.
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Support and promote Digital Preservation processes and systems to increase digital deposits and provide access to digital archives.
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To deliver a digitisation programme for online access and teaching, exhibitions, promotional activities, social media and research support.
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To manage a variety of in-house digitisation projects and wider support for academic projects.

5. Staff and Team Management

Lead the team of the MRC staff:
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To oversee all aspects of staff management for the professional and administrative staff of the MRC (including role development, staff selection and recruitment, supervision and progression).
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To promote staff training and development in all areas of professional work, e.g. digital preservation and digital humanities/educational use of archives.

6. Management of the MRC Facility

To work with relevant colleagues:
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To plan the development of the physical spaces of the MRC and its external store.
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To manage the physical spaces and their day-to-day administration, ensuring appropriate storage and conservation standards (e.g. BS4971) are maintained.

7. Working Beyond the MRC

To work with colleagues across the Library, University and across the archives sector:
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As a member of senior Library staff, contribute as required to the wider management and activities of the Library service beyond the MRC.
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To work with the Head of Academic Services and the Academic Services Management Team to provide consistent and co-ordinated Academic Services for the University.
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To take part in local, national and international professional groups and initiatives, as appropriate.