Salary: £38,000 - £41,000 per annum, DoE
Contract Type: Permanent
Reports to: Head of Collections & Engagement 

ROLE
The British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, based at the British Motor Museum, holds the largest archive in the world of historic documentation, photographic material and moving film relating to the motor industry in Britain and is a leading international archive of industrial and corporate history.

The British Motor Museum is a world recognised, independent motor museum, Accredited by Arts Council England and a National Portfolio Organisation. Both the Archive and Motor Car Collections at the British Motor Museum have been awarded Designated status as they are of national and international significance.

The Trust is seeking an experienced archivist to lead the Archive function. It is a pivotal moment to join the team as the Trust has ambitious plans, including to develop its collections and engagement, sharing the stories of the people, places and products of the motor industry in Britain, to an even wider and more diverse audience. Behind that we are strengthening our systems and processes, including transitioning to a new collections cataloguing system and looking towards Archive Service Accreditation.

To join the team you don’t need to be a petrol-head! If you have a zeal for bringing culture to as wide an audience as possible and creating more opportunities to engage with or work in our sector, we’d love to hear from you. And it’s not only your skills that we are looking for but your own personal experiences. We’re searching for someone with the passion to build on previous successes of the Trust and to lead the Archive and its team into an exciting future.

To support our employees through both their career and life outside of work, we offer up to 26 days of annual leave, in addition to bank holidays, a pension, occupational sick pay and enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.

JOB PURPOSE 

The Archivist manages the Archive function and the busy Archive team as well as devising the strategy for the Trust’s core collection objectives, widening public access, income generating activities and future development.

• Lead the Trust’s Archive function and manage the Archive team;
• Provide strategic direction for the Trust’s Archive collections in collecting, collections care and public access;
• Widen the audience and the relevance for the Archive collections by means of broadened engagement, outreach, digital and social media;
• Carry out research on the Trust’s Archive collections and be a primary fact holder for the collections;
• Lead initiatives for digital collections and record-keeping of all types; 
• Collaborate with other departments to deliver projects across the organisation;
• Take a strong practical approach in the operation of all Archive activities;
• Manage the budget for all Archive activities and any special projects which have external sources of funding;
• Collaborate with the Head of Commerce and Head of Collections & Engagement to develop income generation based on the Archive collections.

IN MORE DETAIL

• Provide strategic direction and develop policies to ensure that Archive collections are managed and cared for to the appropriate standards to attain and/or maintain ACE and TNA Accreditation and Designated status;
• Manage the Archive team, research teams and volunteers. Annually set priorities and review periodically;
• Lead on the development and policy for future collecting for Archive collections;
• With colleagues across the organisation create and deliver new audience programmes and projects (including exhibitions, publications, outreach, digital and social media) and evaluate these projects;
• Lead on the adoption of digital technology for Archive cataloguing and conservation, and to preserve born-digital records where the need arises;
• Research subject areas relating to the collections in order to develop the understanding of Archive collections and to ensure that information in the Museum remains relevant and up-to-date;
• Be a lead in the team for the ongoing transfer to Axiell Collections;
• Take a hands-on role in the operation of all Archive services;
• Respond to enquiries about the Archive collections both from external and internal enquirers and researchers;
• Manage the budget for all Archive activities and any special projects which have external sources of funding eg from organisations such as NHLF, TNA, BAC and other grant schemes;
• Oversee and co-ordinate the two income-generating services – Heritage Certificates and the Film & Picture Library. In conjunction with the Head of Commerce and Head of Collections & Engagement, look for new opportunities based on the Archive collections;
• Assist the Fundraising Development Manager and Head of Collections & Engagement with the development of fundraising applications for capital and revenue programmes where relevant;
• Advise the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees on matters relating to the collections and archive practice more generally;
• Share in the representation of the Archive at external meetings, including professional bodies such as the ARA, BAC, BAPLA, WMRAA.

OTHER DUTIES

• Attend events to promote the Archive and Museum. This may involve working out of normal hours or at weekends;
• Deputise for the Head of Collections & Engagement as the need arises.
• Take responsibility for your own health, safety and welfare, ensuring compliance with Trust’s Health and Safety policies, procedures and safe systems of work;
• Be responsible for your own behaviour and act in a manner that avoids and discourages any form of discrimination or harassment;
• To comply with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy;
• Actively and positively contribute to the success of the business in delivering your duties and any other business-related activities which may reasonably be requested.

KNOWLEDGE/ATTRIBUTES

• Significant experience working in an archive environment;
• Postgraduate degree in Archives Management or equivalent experience;
• Experience of managing people;
• Familiarity with Archive Standards relating to the operation, environment and management of archives;
• Familiarity with and experience of a variety of archive databases, Microsoft applications and archival search engines such as Discovery;
• Knowledge of digital collections and their management;
• Demonstrable experience of delivering public programmes and engagement;
• Sound knowledge of financial management;
  
  

You might also have:

• Experience of working with mixed (archive & museum) collections;
• Experience of managing and developing commercial archive services;
• Presenting publicly; in person, in print, on camera or online;
• An interest in motoring, industrial, business or social history more widely.
  
  

SKILLS

• An effective and empathetic manager of people and teams;
• Imaginative thinker and able to clearly express that thinking;
• An accomplished communicator;
• High level of organisational and planning skill;
• Able to make decisions and solve challenges;
• Work accurately with strong attention to detail;
• Proactive and self-motivated;
• Collaborative and able to make a positive contribution to any team;
• Passionate and flexible, with excellent interpersonal skills.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a CV and covering letter to: hr@britishmotormuseum.co.uk

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Sunday 4 August 2024

Inclusion and Diversity Statement

As an organisation the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.