Senior Archivist – British Motor Museum

The organisation

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 British motor industry 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.

The Trust is seeking an experienced archivist to lead the Archive function. It is a pivotal moment to join the team, as we develop our aims and priorities for the next five years. 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.

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.

We’re looking 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.

Role

• 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 to engage with digital 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 to develop income generation based on the Archive collections.

Main duties

• 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;
• Lead on the creation of new audience programmes and projects (including exhibitions, publications, outreach, digital and social media), research content and work with other team members to deliver those programmes. Engage with colleagues across the organisation to deliver and evaluate projects;
• Lead on the adoption of digital technology for 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;
• Maintain the Archive Cataloguing & Heritage Certificate database (Archers). Succession plan for this system;
• 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, including income generation 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, look for new opportunities based on the Archive collections;
• Content management of www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk web pages and e commerce system relating to Archive Services to maximise archive awareness and sales of archive products;
• Assist the Head of Collections 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.;
• Deputise for the Head of Collections as the need arises.

Other duties

• Attend outside events to promote the Archive and Museum. This may involve working out of normal hours or at weekends.
• 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;
• Undertake to familiarise yourself with the data protection procedures set down by the Company as a result of the General Data Protection Regulation;
• 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.

Skills / attributes

• Significant experience working in an archive environment;
• Postgraduate degree in Archives Management or equivalent;
• Experience of managing people;
• Familiarity with Archive Standards including BS.4971, ISAD(G), ISAAR(CPF) and TNA Standard for Record Repositories;
• Familiarity with and experience of a variety of archive databases, Microsoft applications and archival search engines such as Discovery (TNA);
• Knowledge of digital collections and their management;
• Demonstrable experience of delivering public programmes and engagement;
• Sound knowledge of financial management;
• Experience of managing and developing commercial archive services;

You might also have:

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

Your skills

• An effective and empathetic manager of people and teams;
• Imaginative thinker and able to clearly express that thinking;
• An accomplished spoken and written 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.

Salary: £35-37.5k per annum (depending on experience)

How to apply

To apply, please email enquiries@britishmotormuseum.co.uk with a CV and cover letter.

Closing date: Deadline extended to 28 November 2022.

No Agencies

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.