Senior Archivist

Headland Archaeology is offering a rare and excellent opportunity for a capable, enthusiastic and driven person to help lead our Archives Team.

 Why should you apply?

We are a privately owned archaeological business, part of the RSK Group, a leader in integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services. We provide heritage services to the development and construction sectors in UK and across the world. With four offices in England and one in Scotland, we offer our employees:

• Unique knowledge and expertise. For more than 25 years, Headland has provided not only business-focused archaeology but also people-focused business. We are highly respected within our industry for our achievements in innovation, tailor-made development coaching and training, and our expertise in commercial archaeology.
• Strong pioneering spirit. Our corporate culture is characterised by a healthy appetite for originality and development.
• Stable company with excellent growth. Over the years, we have demonstrated steady, positive economic development and formed successful partnerships.
• Good work environment. You will be surrounded by colleagues who are pleasant, professional, and enthusiastic about their work.
• Opportunity to influence. You get to work in an open climate, close to decision makers and with the possibility of making a difference.
• Part of RSK group. You will have further opportunities to become involved in nationally and internationally prominent projects with exciting prospects for career development. The group has c.12000 employees and c.200 environmentally lead companies.

In Headland we are proud of our people. We will support you to your meet your goals and train you in specific relevant skills to feel confident and succeed in your role.

The Role

Due to the commencement of a large post-excavation project involving an extensive physical, paper and digital archive, Headland Archaeology is now seeking a self-motivated, knowledgeable and enthusiastic senior archivist to help coordinate the project team.

The job will involve managing a large archive storage warehouse space, maintaining the archaeological archives within it in good order and co-ordinating the work programmes of the project archives staff.

It will also involve: care and administration of all project-specific paper, digital and physical archives, ensuring maintenance of archives and aiding efficient workflow through post-excavation; liaising with archaeological excavators, specialists, conservators and other members of the project team regarding transportation and post-excavation work requirements; liaising with receiving bodies regarding preparation requirements and deposition; training, supervision and line management of others; maintaining a safe working environment.

The successful candidate should have an undergraduate degree in archaeology or a related discipline and/or relevant fieldwork experience. They should have demonstrable specialist knowledge of archaeological archives and the archiving process relating to commercial archaeology in the UK. They should also have experience in managing teams, budgets and schedules. Memberships of CIfA and of any relevant specialist bodies would also be advantageous.

The role will require occasional travel to an alternate Headland offices to meet with staff in person, supervise work or to give training. A clean UK driving license and a willingness to drive company vehicles is highly desirable.

The applicant must have excellent communication and organisation skills and the ability to manage major projects and issues. They should have a keen eye for detail, the ability to meet deadlines, be flexible and adapt to changing requirements, work independently and within a wider team. They should be able to identify areas for improvement and devise solutions. They will be expected to develop their own knowledge and skills and keep abreast of developments and innovations in the field, but encouragement and support will also be given to aid their development and broaden their skills and knowledge. Headland will support training where the direction matches the company’s requirements.

We are looking for someone with enthusiasm and energy to take ownership of the project archives.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Supervise and provide advice on packaging, storage, transportation and handling of physical archives
• Supervise and provide advice on ordering and packaging paper archives
• Undertake, supervise and provide advice on digital archiving, both internal and for deposition with external bodies
• Management of archive storage space
• Liaise with relevant external bodies and follow deposition procedures to ensure efficient archiving process
• Co-ordinate archiving work, liaising with field staff, other Post-excavation members to ensure smooth workflow
• Prioritise, set targets and monitor performance for archive preparation and deposition
• Work with other team members to ensure archives are left tidy and archive-ready
• Develop your own knowledge of archive procedures
• Keep abreast of developments within external bodies and with guidance on best practice
• Keep abreast of relevant technological innovations and how they affect archiving
• Allocate work to team members, monitor their performance and provide feedback
• Provide training for other Post-excavation staff and Fieldwork staff
• Schedule archiving work and maintain responsibility for meeting deadlines and targets
• Manage your time and other resources so that you can meet your objectives within the allocated budget
• Provide estimates and quotes for archiving work and expenses including liaising with external bodies
• Assistance in developing archiving procedures
• Evaluate project achievements and company systems and suggest improvements
• Select team members, manage their performance and deal with poor performance
• Mentor trainee archive staff, develop teams and individuals
• Provide support for Archives manager and undertake other tasks appropriate to your skills and knowledge

Essential skills:

• Undergraduate degree in archaeology or related discipline and/or relevant fieldwork experience
• Good knowledge of archiving procedures and standards across the UK
• Ability to manage teams and budgets
• Proven track record in archiving work
• Good general working knowledge of archaeological procedures, recording and artefacts within the British Isles
• Knowledge of legislation, regulation and guidance relevant to archaeology including Health and Safety
• Adherence to safe working practices, in particular to hazards associated with artefactual work
• Detailed knowledge of issues surrounding finds first aid, conservation, packaging and long-term storage
• Detailed understanding of archiving legislation, procedures and standards for all areas of the UK
• Familiarity with relevant receiving bodies for paper, physical and digital archives
• Strong personal initiative and ability to problem solve
• Strong IT skills, including file management, databases and MS Office
• Attention to detail and ability to accurately label and package
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to schedule, co-ordinate and monitor tasks and other team members
• Strong interpersonal and coaching skills
• Be passionate, motivated and excited about what you do!

Desired skills:

• Full clean driving license (and a willingness to drive company vehicles)
• Membership of the CIfA at least at Associate level
• Membership of relevant archives groups and bodies (eg CIfA Archaeological Archives Group; ARA) 

Benefits we offer you:

• Competitive paid subsistence when applicable
• Paid accommodation when applicable
• Use of cutting edge technology on site, e.g. paperless systems, iPads etc.
• Ongoing regular training in various areas e.g. Health & Safety, Technical areas and Transferable skills
• Time off in lieu for time worked above standard hours or overtime paid 
• Annual profit discretionary bonus & performance-related bonus schemes
• Monthly clothing allowance
• 28 days annual leave, rising based on service length 
• Extra annual leave purchase scheme
• 5%-6% employer contribution to pension scheme
• Income Protection Policy, after a year with Headland
• Life Assurance Policy, insuring you 4 times your annual salary, after a year with Headland
• Regular performance, wellbeing & professional development check-ins
• Referral scheme with generous fee
• A support group of 30+ Mental Health First Aiders
• Regular offers through RSK Group (e.g. Tastecard, Gym membership discount, Holidays and Entertainment)
• Health support scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (advice on finance, mental health etc)
• Paid CIfA membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Being part of RSK Group

Headland is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

How to apply

You must have the right to work in the UK without restrictions. Proof of eligibility will be required prior to your commencement.

Send covering letter and CV to Charlotte Self at ‘jobs@headlandarchaeology.com’ quoting reference ARCSA24

Postal applications will not be accepted. Details of references should include their name, relationship to the applicant, postal address, email address and phone number.

Informal inquiries concerning the role can be made to Julie Franklin – charlotte.self@headlandarchaeology.com