Deputy Head of Archives and Libraries

Description

Starting salary : 48448

Contract type :
Permanent

Grade : 5

Location :
John Sinclair House Edinburgh

Working Hours :
Monday - Friday 35 hours per week

Interviews :
To be held in person at John Sinclair House Edinburgh on Week Commencing 10 November 2025

This is an exciting opportunity to manage a team of dedicated professionals who manage care for and provide access to one of Scotlands National Collections. With physical archives dating from the 17th century through to the most recent digital archives and extensive library collections it is a remarkable collection focussed on the entirety of the historic environment.

For more information about the post and information about the team please access the full job description for this post. Please note that if you dont have Office 365 installed on your device this can be opened using your browser.

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) 11.5 public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• Free entry to English Heritage Manx and Cadw properties

• Leadership and management of the Archives Digital Repository Conservation Acquisitions and Loans teams and resources.
• As part of the Archives Department management team contribute to the development and implementation of a strategic plan. Lead on the delivery of acquisitions archives development cataloguing digital repository and conservation.
• Maintenance and development of a quality archive catalogue and archive management information (acquisitions disposals movement and location control data etc.) which meets our professional needs and audience requirements.
• Managing and monitoring projects including developing the collection through acquisitions; increasing public access through digitisation cataloguing and content enhancement projects; and caring for the archives through preservation activities incident preparedness and accommodation development.
• Maintenance and development of professional standards required for Archives Accreditation Service and Core Trust Seal certification.
• Contribute to the development of research exhibition promotional articles and publications.
• External liaison and partnership development.
• Liaison with other Team Leaders within the Directorate and contribution to delivery of the Directorate business plan in support of the organisations strategic business objectives.
• Other duties as delegated by the Head of Archives and Libraries including deputising when required.

In order for you to be successful in this post we will be looking for you to submit a cover letter which addresses how you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 1200 words) using examples of where you have demonstrated these criteria previously. Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post.

You can use examples of how you have met these criteria from your work life home life education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

• Established professional with proven track record and experience of working in the archive sector in a senior management capacity.
• Expertise in the management of major archival collections (physical and digital) providing strategic direction operational delivery policy development in all areas of functional activity (archive development cataloguing digitisation conservation and public access etc)
• Staff leadership and management skills including performance and attendance management; motivating and developing individuals and teams; and promotion of health and safety and wellbeing.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the current context…