Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative workshops and manage volunteer sessions in the Southbank Centre's archive.
- Company: Join Europe’s largest arts centre, known for its vibrant cultural impact and innovative spirit.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, discounts, and wellness support from day one.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making archives accessible and engaging for the public.
- Qualifications: Experience in archival work and public engagement; passion for heritage is a plus.
- Other info: We encourage diverse applicants and offer support for interview adjustments.
The predicted salary is between 20480 - 30720 £ per year.
Closing date for applications: 12 September 2025
Salary: £25,600 per annum (based on FTE of £32,000)
Contract: Part time (four days a week), 7.5 month fixed term
Help connect the public with the Southbank Centre\’s iconic archive through creative engagement programmes and volunteer sessions.
The Southbank Centre is Europe’s largest arts centre and one of the UK’s top five visitor attractions, occupying an 11-acre site that sits in the midst of London’s most vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Thames. Its impact and reach are significant and it is respected internationally as a convener of great artists and diverse audiences and for being entrepreneurial and innovative in response to a volatile and changing financial landscape. The Southbank Centre is a charity that is determined to demonstrate its ambition to remain innovative, disruptive and experimental in what it does and to be highly relevant to the artists it wants to work with and to the audiences it wants to attract.
We are currently looking for a project archivist (access) to join on a four-day part time, fixed-term contract. The project archivist (access) role will take the lead in developing and delivering our celebrated participatory collections management scheme for the period January 2026 – March 2026. Working closely with the public archive team and wider creative engagement teams, you’ll develop and run workshops focused on the collection priorities of the archive.
Responsibilities
- Work with the archivist and wider creative engagement team to lead delivery of biweekly volunteering sessions, centred in the Archive Studio in the Royal Festival Hall
- Develop engaging and informative sessions from creative engagement and collection priorities, including skills training, promoting wellbeing, collection care and building collections information
- Provide a responsive point of contact for the archive research and enquiry service, in-person, via phone and through email contact
- Conduct in-depth archival research to assist users in locating specific documents or information in support of their query
Knowledge, skills and experience
- A general understanding of the requirements of archival work, such as repackaging, describing, digitising and arranging archive material
- Experience in managing volunteers and delivering creative public engagement or training programmes
- Proficiency in using archival management software, ideally Access to Memory, and demonstrable IT literacy
- An accredited qualification in Archives and Records management, equivalent experience or a demonstrable interest in archives and heritage
Please download the job description from our career page via the \’Apply\’ button for a full overview of the role\’s responsibilities.
Benefits and perks
As well as working at one of London\’s most popular and exciting sites, the successful candidate will also benefit from the following:
- A minimum 5% employer’s pension contribution (rising to 9% depending on your employee contribution), from day 1 of employment
- 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time employees)
- Hybrid working model
- Enhanced sick pay
- Enhanced family leave benefits
- Up to 30% discounts at onsite retail, food and beverage vendors
- Staff ticket offers for Southbank Centre events
- Free entry to Hayward Gallery
- Free/discounted entry with other reciprocal organisations
- Free staff yoga
- Free access to emotional support from a confidential specialist Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7
- Season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme
Additional information
We welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian or Ethnically Diverse background or those who are D/deaf or disabled. If you wish to discuss reasonable adjustments such as a BSL interpreter for your interview, please indicate this on your application form. Interviews will take place at The Southbank Centre. If you would like to speak to someone about any adjustments or concerns, you can also email and we will be in touch with you to make the necessary arrangements.
By attracting people to work for us from a broad range of backgrounds with diverse attitudes, opinions and beliefs we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. The Southbank Centre is a warm and welcoming place to work, with great aspirations and ambitions to create great and accessible work for all. We pride ourselves in building a supportive environment to enable the development of our staff.
If you feel you have just some of the required skills and experience but meet the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply; we are very open to continuing the training and development of individuals who are self motivated to acquire new skills and knowledge relevant to the role.
Please state in your application that you found this role through Creative Access.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Project archivist - access employer: Hachette UK
Contact Detail:
Hachette UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Project archivist - access
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Southbank Centre's archive and its collections. Understanding their unique offerings will help you tailor your approach during interviews and discussions, showcasing your genuine interest in their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the archival field, especially those who have experience in public engagement or volunteer management. Attend relevant events or workshops to build connections that could provide insights or referrals for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with archival management software, particularly Access to Memory. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency and how it can benefit the Southbank Centre will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your creativity in developing engaging workshops or training sessions. Think of innovative ideas that align with the Southbank Centre's mission and be ready to share these concepts during your interview to highlight your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Project archivist - access
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Project Archivist (Access) position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise any experience you have in archival work, managing volunteers, or delivering creative public engagement programmes. Use specific examples to demonstrate your proficiency in these areas.
Showcase Your Skills: Mention your familiarity with archival management software, particularly Access to Memory, and your IT literacy. This will show that you are well-equipped for the technical aspects of the role.
Personalise Your Application: Make sure to include a personal touch in your cover letter. Explain why you are passionate about archives and heritage, and how you can contribute to the Southbank Centre's mission of innovative and accessible engagement.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hachette UK
✨Show Your Passion for Archives
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for archival work and heritage during the interview. Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your interest in connecting the public with archives, as this aligns with the Southbank Centre's mission.
✨Demonstrate Your Creative Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed volunteers or delivered creative public engagement programmes in the past. This will showcase your ability to lead workshops and sessions, which is a key responsibility of the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Archival Software
If you have experience with archival management software, especially Access to Memory, be ready to discuss it. If not, do some research beforehand to understand its functionalities, as this knowledge will be beneficial in the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the Southbank Centre's archive initiatives and their approach to community engagement. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute effectively.
