Assistant Archivist – Museum of Freemasonry

Assistant Archivist – Museum of Freemasonry

Job Title: Assistant Archivist

Hours: Full time

Location: Freemasons’ Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ

The Museum of Freemasonry is looking to hire an Assistant Archivist to join our vibrant and welcoming Archives and Record department, based at Freemasons’ Hall, Covent Garden.

The role will be a key part of the department’s team and will report to the Head of Archives and Records. The areas of responsibility can be split into several areas Archives Documentation and projects, Digital Collections, Records Management, Interpretation and Public Engagement as well as supporting volunteers.

Background

The Museum of Freemasonry was established in 1838 and holds a collection of books, objects and archives relating to freemasonry and other friendly and fraternal societies. Initially a resource for members of the United Grand Lodge of England, it opened to the public in the mid-1980s and registered as a charitable trust in 1997. It is a tri-domain collection, with items categorised in three dedicated areas: Library, Museum and Archives. The collection is located within the Grade II* listed Freemasons’ Hall, built 1927-1933 and holds full Arts Council England Accredited Status.

Our unique resources include archives relating to the social, economic and administrative development of freemasonry in England, Wales and overseas from the early 17th century. The archives team also care for the Museum’s Print and Document Collections, films, records created by the Masonic charities, research papers of individuals and esoteric organisations.

Purpose of the job

The Assistant Archivist contributes to the development, documentation, and accessibility of the Museum of Freemasonry’s collections knowledge. Working as part of the Collections Support Team, the postholder supports archive cataloguing, records management, digitisation, research, and interpretation, helping improve access to and understanding of the Museum’s collections.

In addition to supporting day-to-day archive services, the postholder coordinates defined archive and records projects under the direction of the Head of Archives and Records. These projects will have clearly defined objectives, timescales, and resources and may involve volunteers, contractors, or colleagues from across the Museum.

Working under the direction of the Head of Archives and Records, the postholder will contribute to archive services, collections care, research, digitisation, and interpretation, helping improve access to and understanding of the Museum’s collections. This includes supporting collections care, exhibitions, digital resources, research services, and outreach activities that make the collection accessible to the broadest possible audience.

Key responsibilities

Archives Documentation:

• Support the provision of an archive service for our staff and visitors.
• Assist in curating and making available the archive collections
• Work with the United Grand Lodge of England’s records management service on transferring resources to the archives.
• Provide information for our visitors and staff on archival and historical matters.
• Assist the Head of Archives and Records in providing a full range of archival activities, including accessioning, sorting, and arranging resources in the collection.
• Catalogue archives using IT based solutions, linking data to library and museum records as appropriate.
• Assist with other archival administration tasks, such as preparing finding aids and assessing conservation needs.
• Undertake basic research to enhance archive catalogue entries.
• Contribute to improving archive catalogue records and related collections information through ongoing research and documentation.
• Support Head of Museum on loan documentation for Lodge and Chapter deposited records

Digital Collections:

• Support the Museum’s digital preservation provision and work to increase access to digital resources.
• Participate in the Museum’s digitisation programme.
• Create high-quality digital surrogates
• Create copies of archive and library resources for photographic orders
• Enhance metadata by creating and applying frameworks, maintaining headings, tags, and taxonomies, and monitoring digital asset file health and metadata accuracy.
• Contribute to digital preservation workflows
• Support the improvement of online access to the Museum’s collections.

Records Management:

• Support the transfer of records into the archive.
• Assist with appraisal, accessioning, and documentation.
• Contribute to records management projects.

Archive Projects:

• Coordinate defined archive, cataloguing, digitisation, and records management projects under the direction of the Head of Archives and Records.
• Prepare project documentation, work plans, and progress updates.
• Coordinate volunteers, contractors, or colleagues contributing to defined projects where appropriate.

Interpretation and Public Engagement:

• Contribute to temporary exhibitions and displays.
• Support talks, presentations, and outreach.
• Create content for the website and social media.
• Assist researchers.
• Support the Head of Archives and Records by coordinating volunteers, placements, and students working across the Museum.

Skills and attributes

The following are essential:

• Archives and Records Association-accredited MA or diploma in Archives and Records Management
• Experience working in an archive environment following qualification or through equivalent professional practice.
• Experience contributing to archive or collections projects from planning through to completion.
• Ability to coordinate defined archive and records projects involving colleagues, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Experience of contributing to public engagement, exhibitions, digital interpretation, or online content
• Ability and experience of appraising, arranging and cataloguing significant archive collections in accordance with ISAD(G)
• Familiarity with digitisation workflows, including quality control and metadata creation
• Working knowledge of GDPR and copyright law relevant to archival and library resources
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences.
• Experience of using IT-based cataloguing solutions
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to record information accurately and undertake data entry tasks.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for researching archives and improving knowledge of the Museum collections.
• Proficiency in using social media platforms, including Facebook, X and other relevant channels, for communication and audience engagement.

Desirable skills and competencies:

• Foundation level registration and/or working towards Registered membership of the Archives and Records Association
• Experience of using digital preservation software solutions, such as Preservica, or an ability to learn.
• Experience of using collections management software, alongside archival cataloguing solutions.
• Experience of supporting or coordinating volunteers, students and work-experience placements undertaking archive projects.
• Physical ability to retrieve archive material from storage shelving and plan chests, and to handle archive boxes safely.
• Experience of contributing to or coordinating defined cataloguing, digitisation, or archive projects.

Hours of work

Full time (35 hours per week with weekend and occasional evenings as required by the Museum’s operational calendar) Monday to Friday

Salary and benefits

Competitive salary £34,800 – £36,200 per annum (subject to experience) plus the following benefits package:

Private Medical cover

Pension (3.5% employee & 9% employer contributions – increasing to 12%)

Please ensure that your CV/covering letter evidences the necessary skills and how your experience to date matches the requirements for the role.

Closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 12 October 2026.