At a Glance
- Tasks: Help catalogue 12,000 building drawings and schematics for the British Museum.
- Company: Join the iconic British Museum and be part of its transformation journey.
- Benefits: Enjoy free exhibition entry, 25 days annual leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on preserving history while working in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience; document management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 41723 - 45587 £ per year.
Location: Bloomsbury (with occasional travel to other sites)
Role Summary
On-site, based in Bloomsbury London. Fixed term (12 months). £41,723 - £45,587 per annum. Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Monday, 8 June 2026.
About the role
The Museum is seeking a Building Drawing Inventory Officer (Legacy Estates Records Officer) to play a key role in cataloging approximately 12,000 hard‑copy building drawings and schematics. You will be responsible for creating a comprehensive and reliable inventory of the Museum’s legacy building and services drawings, helping to ensure accurate information is available to support major projects and day‑to‑day operations. This role involves working with the original documentation, quickly and precisely capturing the information on the document, and making an assessment of its relevance. Documentation includes various types of building and electrical schematics, as well as structural engineering drawings. Being able to accurately read and process these will be vital for you to be successful in this role. This is a focused, project‑based role supporting the Museum’s Building Information Management (BIM) strategy to improve how building data and records are managed and accessed as part of a major programme of estate renewal and capital investment. This is an exciting role where you will be able to see how the British Museum’s buildings have evolved and changed, especially its New Wing from its design phase in 1973.
About you
- Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent qualification/experience.
- Able to review, document and structure building related data from numerous sources ensuring accuracy.
- Experience of document, file or inventory management systems as well as creating and populating searchable data sets.
- Ideally you will have experience working with archives or records containing building or services information with knowledge of construction environments.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet agreed deadlines.
- Have a strategic approach and able to communicate with and guide colleagues working in the Museum’s archives, Estates and Capital Projects department, senior management, and other colleagues as required.
Key areas of responsibility
- Maintain and improve a clear methodology for inventorying legacy building and services drawings, including milestones and priorities.
- Work with Museum archivists and stakeholders to catalogue hard‑copy drawings, recording agreed metadata such as date, revision, discipline, location and status.
- Create and maintain a structured register in which each drawing is uniquely identified.
- Support decisions on retention, disposal and digitisation priorities based on use, relevance and currency of information.
- Prepare high‑quality work packages to support the digitisation of selected drawings.
- Liaise with stakeholders to confirm future storage and access arrangements for retained hard‑copy and digital records.
- Support the population of the Museum’s Common Data Environment with relevant legacy information.
- Make building information available to support capital projects and operational teams as required.
The British Museum is undertaking its biggest transformation since its founding nearly 300 years ago. This physical and intellectual transformation includes large scale building and gallery transformation, new ways of connecting with audiences and different ways of working. As we look towards this exciting future, we remain guided by the words of our founder Hans Sloane - who dreamed of a museum connecting all arts and sciences, which would be accessible to everyone, everywhere.
At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do and have designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here, but we’ve outlined some highlights below:
- Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years).
- Peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community.
- Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
- Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.
- Interest‑free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.
Our Values
Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:
- Care Deeply
- Embrace the Unknown
- Value Many Voices
These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.
At the British Museum, we are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process where every applicant has the opportunity to present their genuine strengths and experience in their own voice. If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org. The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre‑employment screening of Civil Servants.
Building Drawing Inventory Officer employer: British Museum
Contact Detail:
British Museum Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Building Drawing Inventory Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Museum's values inside out! When you’re chatting with them, sprinkle in examples of how you care deeply, embrace the unknown, and value many voices. It’ll show you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their culture too.
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t just sit back after applying! Follow up with a friendly email or call to express your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and keeps you on their radar. Plus, it’s a great chance to ask any questions about the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of building drawings and inventory management systems. Be ready to discuss how you’d tackle cataloguing those 12,000 hard-copy drawings. Show them you’re the expert they need!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the latest roles and updates there, so keep checking back!
We think you need these skills to ace Building Drawing Inventory Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Role Inside Out: Before you start writing, make sure you really understand what the Building Drawing Inventory Officer role is all about. Dive into the job description and highlight key responsibilities and skills. This will help you tailor your application to show how you fit the bill!
Show Off Your Skills: When you're crafting your application, don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience. If you've worked with building drawings or inventory management systems before, make sure to mention it! Use specific examples to demonstrate how your skills align with what we’re looking for.
Keep It Clear and Concise: We love a well-structured application! Make sure your writing is clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. A tidy, easy-to-read format will make it easier for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there, which can help you craft a standout application.
How to prepare for a job interview at British Museum
✨Know Your Drawings
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of building drawings and schematics. Familiarise yourself with different types of architectural and engineering documents, as well as any relevant terminology. This will help you speak confidently about your experience and demonstrate your understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since this role involves cataloguing a large number of documents, be prepared to discuss your organisational strategies. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed inventory or documentation in the past. Highlight your ability to create structured registers and maintain accuracy under pressure.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
The job requires liaising with various stakeholders, so be ready to share experiences where you've worked collaboratively. Discuss how you’ve communicated effectively with colleagues from different departments, especially in archives or project management settings. This will show that you can navigate the Museum's environment smoothly.
✨Align with the Museum's Values
Familiarise yourself with the British Museum's core values: Care Deeply, Embrace the Unknown, and Value Many Voices. Prepare examples from your past work that reflect these values. This will not only demonstrate your fit for the role but also your commitment to the Museum's mission and culture.