Lead Curator, Modern Archives & Manuscripts 1601-1800

The Modern Archives and Manuscripts section is responsible for the Western Manuscript collections 1601-1950, including major holdings of historical, political, literary, theatrical and scientific papers. This permanent Grade A post will manage two permanent curatorial staff and will contribute to the full range of curatorial work on these collections.

Major areas of work will include acquisitions, cataloguing and collection management, and contributing to academic and public programmes, including research projects and exhibitions. The post-holder will work across the chronological range of the collections, but with a focus on the 17th and 18th centuries.

We are looking for candidates with substantial experience of working with manuscripts and archives in a professional context, including both cataloguing and collection management and work to promote academic and public access. Good digital skills are essential, including knowledge of relevant standards and digital formats and experience of managing digital projects and/or collections. The ability to work effectively as part of a team and to manage competing demands on your time are also essential.

Job purpose:

• To develop and manage the Library’s collections of Modern Archives and MSS, focusing on those created in the period until circa 1800, spanning all disciplines and genres which fall within the scope of the Library’s Archive Strategy;
• To direct the work of the associated curatorial and support staff;
• To work together with others in the division and across the Library to generate new partnerships with other institutions, both nationally and internationally;
• To project-manage the resulting collaborations, liaising with the Digital Scholarship Research Engagement and OnLine Services teams as appropriate;
• To lead on developing innovative ways of exploiting the collections for the benefit of researchers and the wider public;
• To work with colleagues in other Divisions to support and further the Library’s overall strategic priorities;
• To make a personal contribution to the Library’s research and other strategies based on individual specialist knowledge of the collections and particular field(s) of studies;
• To oversee and direct the area’s exhibitions loans programme.

Minimum requirements (essential):

• First degree level qualification in a discipline of central relevance to the collection (e.g. History or English Literature);
• Either a formal archival qualification or substantial equivalent experience of managing archive and manuscript collections in a research library or similar environment;
• A good knowledge of the research level use of archives and manuscripts and of the wider public engagement context for these collections, exemplified by project work, talks and publications or other relevant professional experience;
• A good level of knowledge and experience of professional issues relevant to managing historical archive and manuscript collections, including of current cultural property debates and policies;
• Experience of managing digital projects and good knowledge of digitisation and image storage/access standards;
• The ability to work both independently and in a team;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• High level of time-management skills;
• Information technology skills, including web-based skills.

Additional requirements (desirable):

• Project management experience;
• A working knowledge of one or more European languages;
• Understanding of the history of the archive and manuscript collections of the British Library in their national and international context.