Head of Archives

• Details
• Reference number
• 475236
• Salary
• £61,605
• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

• Job grade
• Grade 7
• C2
• Contract type
• Permanent
• Business area
• UKHO - Corporate Services and Finance
• Type of role
• Knowledge and Information Management
• Library
• Operational Research
• Working pattern
• Flexible working, Full-time, Compressed hours
• Number of jobs available
• 1
• Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Taunton

About the job

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 .

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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , 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-listed against the following criteria:

Experience:

• 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. (lead criteria)
• 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.

Please ensure that you cover all the above criteria in your 500 word supporting statement.

Interview Criteria:

Experience:

• 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. (lead criteria)
• 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 (assessed by the presentation)
• 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.

Civil Service Behaviours (Grade 7 level):

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing (assessed against the presentation)

See here for further information: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Process:

• Single Stage face-to-face interview at our Headquarters in Taunton, Somerset.
• You will be contacted to book a suitable slot if you are shortlisted.
• Interview will be with a panel of no more than 3 people and will last approx. 60 mins
• There will be a 10 minute presentation that you will need to prepare for. More details will follow in the invitation to interview.

Onboarding Checks:

In the event you are offered a role with us, you will be required to go through Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which will include Employment and Right to Work Checks. You will also need to apply for SC (Security Clearance), but you may be able to start your role before gaining this. Please see our attached Candidate Pack for further details and Terms.

Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Residency Requirements:

SC – non reserved

This is a Ministry of Defence non-reserved post and although open to UK, British Commonwealth and European Economic Area nationals, successful applicants will require a security clearance (SC) and therefore need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 12 consecutive months within the last 5 years.

Eligibility

Due to the secure nature of our work, there may be eligibility restrictions if you hold dual nationality or are not a British Citizen. We will consider each application on a case-by-case basis. We will ask you in our application form to confirm your place of birth and details of any dual or previous nationalities.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .

See our vetting charter .

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk
• Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk

Further information

Further Information

The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment based on merit, open and fair competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact recruitment.queries@ukho.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can further contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk or view more details at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk