ESSENTIAL SKILLS/EXPERIENCE YOU’LL NEED

• Experience of working to preserve and access mixed heritage collections; archives, objects, costume, textile and published items.
• Experience working to preserve and access digitised and born digital heritage assets.
• Capable of carrying out complex research and presenting findings to others including senior stakeholders.
• Experience of designing and delivering volunteer task programmes.
• Ability to produce accurate and detailed written work ready for publication.

DESIRABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE YOU’LL NEED

• Experience of employee ownership and its value in doing business.
• Knowledge of the history of retail particularly the John Lewis Partnership, its subsidiaries and predecessors.
• Awareness of British textile production and design history.
• Experience working with Modes and Preservica applications.
• Experience of planning and delivering curated exhibitions and displays of heritage assets which enhance storytelling.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate archive professional with a recognised qualification to join the Heritage Services team. The role reports to the Heritage Services Manager, working alongside one other Archivist, with the support of the Archives & Collections Assistant and Heritage Services Assistant. You will evidence the full range of professional skills, and the ability to build and maintain great working relationships with Partners at all levels across our lines of business. You will be able to utilise your knowledge and experience of archive theory and practice to ensure the collection and preservation of physical and digital collections while delivering high quality services to internal and external customers. Demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement, you will share in the development of our collections management and digital preservation systems, answer enquiries and undertake complex research to deadlines. You should enjoy interacting with our visitors, delivering presentations, tours of the centre and helping all Partners understand more about our history and the development of the Partnership. As part of the wider Learning, Inclusion & Belonging team we all work together to ensure that we help Partners and our wider communities understand that our Purpose, in the past, the present and the future, inspires our principles, drives our decisions and acts as our guide.

• Expected salary - we are looking for salary in the range of up to £45,000 (dependent on experience).
• Contract type - This position is a Permanent contract.
• Location - This role is based at our Heritage Centre at Odney, Cookham.
• Working hours - This is 28 hours per week contract over 4 days
• Routine work requires attendance at the Heritage Centre in Cookham, and regular weekend working; acting as a duty manager (typically one Saturday in four), when the Centre is open to the public.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop the appropriate specialist archive systems to ensure the safety and integrity of the archive whilst allowing appropriate access to our collections.
• Work closely with other team members to build and develop the collections and the services we offer as a recognised centre of excellence.
• Using both digital and physical processes, deliver archival tasks, including project work and presentations to enhance the long term development of the Partnership’s Heritage Services and provide appropriate and relevant information for our customers.
• Support the development of archive processes and systems including monitoring and developing our external websites and internal social media community.Promote the development of our volunteer team, ensuring they are happy in the tasks they undertake.
• Provide inspiration and knowledge to encourage understanding of the development of the Partnership with specific reference to our co-ownership model.
• Act as duty manager in the absence of the Heritage Services Manager.