Sector Development Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Regional and Networks Team in Archive Sector Development at The National Archives. It is an exciting time for our work, as we look to deliver against Archives Unlocked, the strategic vison for the archives sector, with an action plan which is about to be refreshed.

About the team

The Regional and Networks Team's core purpose is to develop relationships with the archives sector across England (c. 2500 archives), and with key regional, local and specialist stakeholders. Team members each have wide ranging responsibilities with a large portfolio of archive services and stakeholders. We are currently recruiting to a role with a portfolio in the SW.

We are a friendly and supportive team, working collaboratively and flexibly to link those working with archives with the expertise and opportunities offered by The National Archives and across networks. Post holders typically find the role rewarding on a professional level, with plenty of opportunities to learn and develop professional competence in a number of key areas.

About the role

You will play a critical role in delivering our sector leadership role through providing advice, guidance and support to a portfolio of major collecting archives and smaller independent organisations - including Places of Deposit, local authority archives, university archives, individuals, families and private institutions. In addition you will lead on building relationships with key strategic partners at the regional level including ACE and HLF. There will be opportunity to initiate and lead regional development programmes including strategic partnership development and to represent The National Archives on national networks.

About you

As someone who will be leading engagement with the sector and stakeholders you will have strong relationship building skills, with both individuals and organisations, to lead to partnership working and concrete impacts. You will be able to demonstrate commitment to the preservation and effective management of archives and the ability to articulate the value of archives and information management in the private sector. You will have a track record of managing a demanding workload and prioritising effectively to achieve maximum impact.

This is a homeworking post and we anticipate that the successful candidate would be based within the SW region, expenses are reimbursed in accordance with official policies. You must be able to travel within the UK with associated overnight stays as necessary. Currently there are 5 members of the Regional and Networks team that are based in their regions working from home covering regions outside of the SW e.g. NW, NE, Yorkshire, Midlands, and SE. Working patterns are flexible to accommodate the need to travel outside the office as well as operate from TNA in Kew as required.

We would particularly like to encourage applicants from backgrounds currently underrepresented in archives, including those who identify as Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT+), from Black, Asian and minority ethnic cultural backgrounds, those who are neurodivergent, and those with hidden or visible disabilities.