Interpretation Developer

The National Archives is the UK's official archive, preserving records from the Domesday Book to cabinet ministers’ tweets. As an Interpretation Developer you’ll tell the stories behind these records, connecting visitors with our collections through innovative visitor experiences.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Exhibition & Interpretation Manager to develop and deliver innovative visitor experiences across audience segments.
• Champion audiences and craft engaging, welcoming, entertaining and challenging stories.
• Collaborate with internal and external expert teams to uncover stories that deepen audience engagement.
• Plan and manage projects, maintaining control of budget, deadlines and risk, and report progress as required.
• Seek collaborative opportunities with cultural organisations, aligning projects with organisational ambition.
• Research, write and edit concise copy for interpretation schemes and other channels.
• Provide flexible support to fellow teams in the Public Engagement Directorate, including work beyond standard office hours (e.g., weekends, evenings).
• Travel within the UK to deliver or attend meetings and events outside normal office hours.
• Engage creatively in multidisciplinary teams and embrace new ideas.
• Think big, be bold, and embrace risk-taking to pursue innovative approaches.

Essential Qualifications

• Experience within exhibitions or interpretation in a cultural, commercial or visitor attraction setting and an understanding of evolving changes.
• Experience crafting audience‑specific engagement experiences that exceed expectations.
• Experience planning, coordinating and delivering high‑profile initiatives for diverse audiences within the cultural heritage sector.
• Flexibility and supportiveness, able to adapt to changing project demands.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, building positive relationships and working independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong writing ability, conveying complex ideas in simple terms for varied audiences.
• Understanding of digital content to blend on‑site and off‑site experiences.
• Passion for creating outstanding visitor experiences, a creative problem‑solver, and a thinker capable of delivering the unexpected.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of the archive sector.
• Experience with audience segmentation models.
• Experience creating visitor experiences beyond traditional exhibition formats.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Display Screen Equipment user.

Benefits

• Generous benefits package including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted cafe rates, training and development opportunities.
• Annual leave: 22 days per calendar year (increasing to 25 after the first year, and 30 after six years) plus 10½ public and privileged holidays per annum.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage, we have a duty to make reasonable changes. To request adjustments, contact careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk before the closing date or complete the ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ section of the application form.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and their settled or pre‑settled family members under the EUSS
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS
• Individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals and certain family members with the accrued right to work in the Civil Service

Contact Point For Applicants

Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team
Email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk