Sector Development and Engagement Manager - Archives Revealed

Contract type: Fixed-term appointment until 31st March 2029

Closing date: Friday 2^nd August at midnight 

The National Archives is looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Sector Development and Engagement Manager to lead a programme of training, skills-building and knowledge-sharing as part of our Archives Revealed funding programme. 

Archives Revealed is the only dedicated national funding scheme for the cataloguing and unlocking of archival collections. The programme awards grants to archive services and those with archive collections throughout the United Kingdom, to scope and catalogue their collections for the purposes of making them accessible to the public for research and enjoyment. Since 2006, Archives Revealed has been delivered by a partnership of funders which includes the Pilgrim Trust, the Wolfson Foundation, and The National Archives. In 2024, the programme welcomed The National Lottery Heritage Fund as a new core partner, and the programme will award over £5 million of funding to archives over the next three years (2024-27). 

The Sector Development and Engagement Manager will be responsible for the design and delivery of a work package focused on knowledge-sharing, skills training, mentoring and cohort working, among our grantees and the wider archives sector, funded by the programme. They will lead on the provision of support to grantees, building skills and supporting the archives sector in creating impactful projects that engage archive users and the communities of which archive services are part. The postholder will also be responsible for the provision of support to archives and heritage organisations throughout the United Kingdom, working closely with networks, professional organisations and funding partners to ensure that potential applicants and grantees are supported to deliver high-quality proposals and projects. The role will involve extensive liaison with archives and archives throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

We have made a substantial investment in our Research, Grants and Academic Engagement department, which is charged with delivering impactful grant-making to support The National Archives’ leadership of the archives sector. It is an exciting moment to join the team, with a number of new roles being advertised this summer, and with the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s investment enabling us to deliver over five times more funding to the sector in 2024-27 than was possible in 2020-23. 

As the Sector Development Manager leading the delivery of Archives Revealed’s training, skills and sector development provision, you will be a key team member as we widen our relationship with the archive sector and continue to support engagement with significant collections across the United Kingdom. 

About Us: 

The National Archives is the official archive of the UK government and for England and Wales, making available to the public a vast collection of historical records dating back over 1,000 years. We are also the sector leadership body for archives in England. 

Within the beautiful surroundings of Kew, a 10-minute walk from the Underground and Overground stations, The National Archives boasts a collegial working environment and an excellent Civil Service benefits package. This includes flexible working, an on-site gym, and an opportunity to join the Civil Service Alpha Pension Scheme. Putting you at the forefront of our organisation, we are committed to supporting professional development and training for all of our colleagues. 

The role is a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2029, based either at The National Archives’ building in Kew, London, or regionally in another part of the United Kingdom on a home-working contract. Requests for part-time working, flexible working and job shares will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of The National Archives. 

To apply please click on the 'Apply' button above.