Head of Archives

Job summary

This post is a unique opportunity to work as the Head of Archives at the UK Hydrographic Office. The post holder will lead an existing and established Archive team. The role will manage strategic direction in the team, its activities and relationships with internal stakeholders and external parties.

This role carries the responsibility of delivering and managing a legislatively compliant Archive in all aspects of accountability, decision-making, guidance, and advice. The role is accountable to the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) Chief Executive, the MOD Department of Records Officer and The National Archive (TNA) and to the Department of Culture, Museums and Sport (DCMS). The post holder will be expected to liaise with chief executive level directors including at the UKHO, central government departments, museums and archives, plus overseas counterparts.

The role will be responsible for ensuring that the UKHO meets its Public Task obligations, as governed by the Public Records Acts 1958 & 1967 and for all aspects of strategy, planning and operation of the Archive facility and staff.

This is a significant responsibility, and the post holder must hold archival/cultural heritage qualification or have significant experience in relevant archival/museum establishments. In addition, they must have experience of holding a senior management role within an archival/museum environment including leading, influencing, budgeting and decision-making responsibility. The post holder is accountable for the professionalism of the Archive. The post holder will be responsible for all aspects of strategy, planning and operation of the Archive facility and staff.

Hybrid working

This job role can be worked on a hybrid basis, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, working between the office in Taunton and remotely within the UK.

Whilst there is some flexibility to work from home, due to service needs, it is expected that office attendance is at least 3-4 days a week but is in line with business needs and therefore there will be occasions where greater levels of office attendance is required. There may also be a requirement to occasionally travel to other locations.

Job description

• Ensuring that the Archive meets its legal obligations under the Public Records Act legislation as a Place of Deposit and its Public Task obligations and any other statutory areas of compliance.
• Writing and owning Archive strategy for collection, team, and audience development programme. Ensuring that the collection remains viable, visible and supports the UKHO’s corporate plan.
• Managing, and improving the Archive collection of approximately 14 million records. The collection includes digital and paper records, artefacts, products, and corporate records.
• Building knowledge of the record collection within the UKHO, leading a proactive acquisition programme to enhance the collection and ensure it remains relevant.
• Ensuring all intellectual property is understood and protected for future UKHO benefit.
• Owning Archive policy and procedure, in-line with TNA and Ministry of Defence Departmental Records Officer (DRO) guidance.
• Increasing accessibility of the Archive collection and records in support of the UKHO’s business needs. This includes external exhibitions, writing and leading on the negotiation of loan agreements and ensuring the suitable protection of the UKHO collection outside the Archive.
• Supporting the UKHO Secretariat, Overseas Team, Customer Service Team, Information Management team, and[LP4.1][DE4.2] Data Acquisition Team with their international relations and enquiries. This role assists the UKHO in its commercial exploits, through creating historical charting connections, cultural exchanges and VIP interactions with the UK Governmental and NGO organisations and foreign hydrographic offices and overseas government establishments.
• Effectively and efficiently managing the Archive team, operationally and strategic direction.

Person specification

• Post graduate qualification in an archive or cultural heritage discipline or equivalent experience in leading an archive, museum or similar cultural institution in a similar role to that advertised.
• Demonstrable experience of collections management and access within an archive, museum, or cultural institution, including: budgeting and planning; operating a cultural facility, their infrastructure and systems; handling original documents; and planning and delivering exhibitions.
• Demonstrable experience of line management and colleague development at a senior level.
• Proven track record of adopting a customer-centric approach and consistently delivering high-quality service
• Demonstrable high levels of interpersonal and communication skills and confidence in dealing with a wide range of staff, visitors, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience of ensuring plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future strategies and plans.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,605, UK Hydrographic Office contributes £17,846 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

At the UK Hydrographic Office, it's very important to us that our people feel valued.

We offer a huge range of benefits such as training and development, well-being support, flexible/ homeworking, a fantastic state of the art building, high spec equipment, and so much more.

See our attached Candidate Information Pack for more details.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

How to Apply:

When you click "Apply Now" at the bottom of this page, you will be required to attach your anonymised CV for information, together with a 500 word supporting statement on the experience criteria below.

Timeline:

• Advert Closes for applications: 26th August 2026
• Shortlisting: w/c 31st August 2026
• Interviews: w/c 14th September 2026

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

Sift/Shortlist Criteria:

All applications are processed anonymously. You will be short