Archivist (Copyright and Accessions) in Swindon

We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them. Historic England have a fantastic opportunity for you to join us as our Archivist (Copyright and Accessions). This is a Full Time, 12 months Fixed-Term Contract based in Swindon with hybrid working. We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive defined benefit pension scheme to which we make 28.97% employer contributions, a generous 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites across the country and development opportunities to ensure you achieve your goals.

What you will be doing:

• We are the nation’s Archive of England’s historic environment. We commit to be open, relevant and reflective of all stories and places so we can better understand the historic environment and how it has shaped our rich and diverse cultural identities.
• We curate a dynamic collection that tells the story of the shared memories and lived histories of places in England.
• As a member of the Historic England Archive team (HEA), you will contribute to the better understanding of our collections - what we hold, its copyright and condition - and you will ensure that the content and assets are shared in accessible, inspiring and engaging ways with a diverse range of audiences.
• Through your work, you will also support the delivery of material for the purposes of income generation and improved access.
• You are the lead for the management of intellectual property rights (principally copyright) for digital and physical archives and for the accessions of new Historic England (HE) and English Heritage (EH) material into the Archive.
• You will work closely with the Archivist (Resources and Acquisitions), Digital Preservation Officer, Photographic Services Team Leader and Archivist (Cataloguing Lead) to ensure the overall management of material follows agreed guidelines and is appropriately documented.

Who we are looking for:

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or at least three years relevant experience, with a formal, professional qualification in Administration or equivalent experience.
• An in-depth knowledge of British copyright law in its relation to archives and records.
• Experience of managing acquisition process in archive or museum sector.
• Understanding the issues of providing access to original archive material and ensuring its long-term preservation.
• Good analytical skills, with proven ability to apply these to structure documentation and business cases.
• Aware of best customer-service practice in archives and/or libraries.

Please note your application will be scored and assessed against the above criteria. We are an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusion. If you have a disability or neurodiversity, we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you. Having won the Gold Award from MIND for workplace wellbeing in seven consecutive years, we also recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance. We are an inclusive employer and believe that flexible working options are for everyone.

We want to make sure our working arrangements don’t prevent anyone from joining us because of their personal circumstances. We also want to provide you with the best balance in your home and work life that we can. We are open to considering options including job sharing, part-time working, compressed hours working and different working locations, including hybrid working.

Why work for Historic England:

• We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for everyone. Diversity helps us to perform better and attract more people to support our work.
• We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and candidates with disabilities as they are underrepresented within Historic England at this level.
• Historic England want all of our candidates to shine in the recruitment process. Please tell us what we can do to make sure you can show us your very best self.

You can contact us by email at recruitmentTeam@Historicengland.org.uk if you have any recruitment queries.

Provisional interview date 26th February 2026 in person, in Swindon.