Archives Collections Manager

Archives Collections Manager

Full-Time 40643 - 45077 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to manage and preserve 8 miles of unique archive collections.
  • Company: Join Hampshire County Council, a top-performing local authority in the UK.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: Collaborative workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on preserving history and shaping future understanding.
  • Qualifications: Qualified archives professional with leadership experience and digital skills.

The predicted salary is between 40643 - 45077 ÂŁ per year.

Job Reference: HCC623898

Salary Range: ÂŁ40,643 - ÂŁ45,077 per annum

Work Location: Hampshire Record Office, Winchester

Hours per week: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 22 May 2026

Interview Date: w/c 1 June 2026

Step into a leadership role at Hampshire's Archives, helping to manage 8 miles of archive treasures. As Archives Collections Manager, you’ll help shape how we organise, develop and care for collections that matter – unique records, images, film and born-digital archives that help communities, researchers and decision-makers understand the past and navigate the future.

The Role: You’ll lead an experienced specialist team (including archivists, a digital archivist and a film curator) and bring together paper, audio-visual and digital collections so they’re preserved, discoverable and ready to be used. This is a role for someone who enjoys combining professional rigour with practical problem-solving—and who can inspire others to do their best work.

What you’ll do: You’ll take the lead on accessioning, cataloguing and storage management, with a particular focus on making the most of strongroom space and ensuring our collections are managed to high professional standards. Working closely with the Archives Operations Manager, you’ll help plan and deliver digital preservation activity and steer improvements to our collections management system – so staff and users can find what they need quickly and confidently. You’ll also contribute to service-wide priorities such as Accreditation readiness, business continuity and health and safety, whilst building positive relationships with depositors, partners and stakeholders. The role includes occasional evening and weekend work to support hires and events, and you’ll play a part in encouraging wider use of the service through outreach and digital channels.

What we’re looking for: You’ll be a qualified archives professional (recognised postgraduate qualification or equivalent) with significant experience working at a professional level and the confidence to make sound, well-reasoned decisions. You understand what “good” looks like in collections work, including the standards that underpin Archive Service Accreditation, and you bring the leadership skills to manage, motivate and develop a team. You’re comfortable in a digital environment, and are familiar with collections management systems and digital preservation tools. You can communicate clearly and credibly with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels. You’ll bring political awareness, sensitivity and the ability to lead across teams to the role.

Why join us? Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment. Our benefits package includes details of the holiday entitlement, pension scheme, flexi-time scheme, family friendly policies and interest free travel loans and discounts. We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles. If this sounds like the job for you, please get in touch.

Additional Information: Archives Collections Manager Candidate Pack

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: Sarah Lewin, Archives and Information Manager on sarah.lewin@hants.gov.uk

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies. We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.

Archives Collections Manager employer: Hampshire County Council

Hampshire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that empowers employees to excel in their roles. With a strong focus on professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package, including family-friendly policies and interest-free travel loans, the council fosters a culture of teamwork and inclusivity. Join us in Winchester to lead a dedicated team in preserving our rich archive collections while contributing to meaningful community engagement.
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Contact Detail:

Hampshire County Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Archives Collections Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the team and the organisation before your interview. Research Hampshire County Council and its archives, so you can speak confidently about how your skills align with their goals. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask during your interview. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role and the team are the right fit for you. Think about what you want to know regarding their collections management and digital preservation strategies.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in the past. Use specific instances where you’ve made a positive impact, especially in managing collections or improving processes. This will highlight your suitability for the Archives Collections Manager role.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity can leave a lasting impression. It’s a simple way to reinforce your interest in the position and keep you top of mind.

We think you need these skills to ace Archives Collections Manager

Leadership Skills
Accessioning
Cataloguing
Storage Management
Collections Management Systems
Digital Preservation Tools
Communication Skills
Political Awareness
Team Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Stakeholder Engagement
Outreach and Digital Channels
Professional Standards in Archives
Experience in Archive Service Accreditation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Archives Collections Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with what we’re looking for, like leadership in collections management and digital preservation.

Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for archives shine through! Share specific examples of how you've contributed to collections or led teams in the past. We want to see your commitment to preserving history and making it accessible.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while still showcasing your personality.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there.

How to prepare for a job interview at Hampshire County Council

✨Know Your Collections

Before the interview, dive deep into the types of collections managed by Hampshire Archives. Familiarise yourself with their unique records, images, and digital archives. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how you can contribute to preserving and enhancing these collections.

✨Showcase Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams of archivists or similar professionals. Think about times when you motivated your team or solved a problem creatively. This will demonstrate your ability to inspire others and lead effectively in this role.

✨Understand Digital Preservation

Brush up on your knowledge of digital preservation tools and collections management systems. Be ready to discuss how you've used these in past roles and how you can apply them to improve Hampshire's collections management. This shows you're not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Think about how you would build relationships with depositors and partners. Prepare to discuss your communication strategies and how you’ve successfully engaged stakeholders in previous roles. This will highlight your political awareness and sensitivity, which are crucial for this position.

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