Archivist

Archivist

Full-Time 34000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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London Borough Of Lambeth

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage and preserve historical records while engaging with the community.
  • Company: Join Lambeth Council, a vibrant and diverse community-focused organisation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension scheme, discounts, and professional development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by preserving history for future generations.
  • Qualifications: Professional archive qualification and experience in managing collections required.
  • Other info: Part-time role with flexible hours and a supportive team environment.

The predicted salary is between 34000 - 42000 £ per year.

Overview

Archivist REF: 2228
SO1: £40,404 pa rising in annual increments to £41,637 pa inc
Part-Time (31.5 Hours)
Permanent Contract

About Us: It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan Our Future, Our Lambeth. To deliver on these ambitions, we have embarked on our transformational One Lambeth Programme ensuring we are ‘connected by purpose’ in everything we do to deliver excellence. We are proud to have recently developed a refreshed set of One Lambeth Values and Behaviours that were developed for staff by staff; Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability. For more information, please have a look at our dedicated One Lambeth Values and Behaviours page.

About the Borough: Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London\\\’s largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community. With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas\\\’s Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment.

About the Team: Lambeth Archives, a small specialist team within Lambeth\\\’s Libraries and Archives Service, looks after the historic records of Lambeth Council, the deposited records of hundreds of local organisations and individuals, the borough\\\’s local studies collection and a small museum collection. We moved last year to a new purpose-built archive on Brixton Hill with a stylish, welcoming public search room and an extensive strong room with accrual space for new collections for the next 25 years.

About the Role: This professional role within Lambeth Archives is part-time (31.5 hours a week) and customer-facing. You will enjoy working with people and collecting and preserving the history of our communities for future generations. The work involves working every other Saturday and one late night until 8pm each week. You will have a good understanding of digitisation projects and improving access to collections. We are looking for an archivist to

  • Develop all aspects of collection management including processing, cataloguing, and conservation of records and ensuring accessibility in line with national standards
  • Build relationships with local communities, partner organizations, and stakeholders to build new collections, enhance public access and participation in the archive.
  • Develop and deliver educational activities and outreach initiatives
  • Develop storage of and access to digital archives
  • Oversee the migration of our archive catalogues onto Axiell Collections
  • Prepare for Archive accreditation process

To be considered for interview, your CV and supporting statement will clearly evidence:

  • a professional Archive qualification and substantial relevant experience
  • experience of managing both physical and digital collections
  • an understanding of the regulatory landscape, including Freedom of Information and Data Protection/GDPR
  • excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification in the hyperlink below:

Job Description & Person Specification

Contact Information: For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Jon Newman at jnewman@lambeth.gov.uk

Recruitment Timelines:

Closing date: 11:59pm Sunday 26th October 2025.

Benefits: We believe in rewarding our staff. When you join us, you\\\’ll gain access to a range of benefits, including:

  • Participation in our 5 Staff Networks: Black, Asian, and Multi-Ethnic, LGBTQ+, Disability, Young Professionals, and Women\\\’s.
  • Generous annual leave entitlement starting from 27 days, increasing to up to 35 days depending on length of service.
  • Membership in the Local Government Pension Scheme.
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Discounts at local restaurants.
  • Discount at our Active Lambeth Gyms.
  • Learning and Development opportunities, including Apprenticeships.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme.
  • Secure Bike Storage facilities at our Town Hall and Civic Centre.
  • Trade Union Membership.

How to Apply: If you\\\’re interested in this opportunity, click on the apply button and complete an online application.

In your supporting statement, please clearly demonstrate how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an A at shortlist stage. We operate an anonymised application process, so be sure to remove personal details when uploading your CV or personal statement.

At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role. For a full list of our accreditations, please click here

In addition, you will also be required to undertake a Cifas check. Further information about Cifas can be found here

We actively support applications from Lambeth Care Leavers.

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Archivist employer: London Borough Of Lambeth

Lambeth Council is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises equity, ambition, kindness, and accountability. As part of the Lambeth Archives team, you will have the opportunity to engage with diverse communities while preserving their rich history, all within the dynamic environment of South London. With generous benefits, including extensive annual leave, professional development opportunities, and active staff networks, Lambeth Council is committed to fostering employee growth and well-being.
London Borough Of Lambeth

Contact Detail:

London Borough Of Lambeth Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Archivist

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the team and the organisation! Research Lambeth Council and its values. When you understand their mission and culture, you can tailor your conversations to show how you fit right in.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your interview. It’s all about making connections!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how your skills in collection management and community engagement align with the role. Practise your answers so you can showcase your expertise confidently.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role!

We think you need these skills to ace Archivist

Professional Archive Qualification
Collection Management
Processing and Cataloguing
Conservation of Records
Digitisation Projects
Public Access Enhancement
Community Engagement
Educational Activity Development
Digital Archive Management
Axiell Collections
Regulatory Knowledge (Freedom of Information, Data Protection/GDPR)
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Archivist role. Highlight your professional Archive qualification and relevant experience, especially in managing both physical and digital collections. We want to see how you fit into our vision!

Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: In your supporting statement, clearly demonstrate how you meet the shortlist criteria marked with an A. This is your chance to shine, so be specific about your skills and experiences that align with our values of Equity, Ambition, Kindness, and Accountability.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role is customer-facing, it's essential to showcase your excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Share examples of how you've built relationships with local communities or stakeholders in your previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application. Plus, remember to remove any personal details from your CV and personal statement as we operate an anonymised application process.

How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough Of Lambeth

✨Know Your Collections

Before the interview, dive deep into Lambeth's archives and collections. Familiarise yourself with their history, key documents, and any recent digitisation projects. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how you can contribute to improving access and participation.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

As this role is customer-facing, be prepared to demonstrate your excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Think of examples where you've successfully engaged with communities or stakeholders, and how you’ve made archives more accessible to the public.

✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape

Brush up on the regulatory aspects like Freedom of Information and GDPR. Be ready to discuss how these regulations impact archive management and how you ensure compliance in your work. This knowledge will highlight your professionalism and readiness for the role.

✨Embrace Equity and Inclusion

Lambeth values equity, diversity, and inclusion, so be sure to reflect this in your answers. Share experiences where you've promoted these values in your previous roles, especially in relation to community engagement and educational activities.

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