Summary

We are the public body that looks after England`s historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them.

At Historic England, we have a rare opportunity to join us in a lead role in our Archaeological Investigation team (AIT). As our new Archaeological Archives Principal, you would occupy a unique position in British archaeology working with our five sub-teams in AIT – these are Archaeological Archives, Archaeological Excavation, Geophysics, Landscape Archaeology and Aerial Survey.

You would manage the Archaeological Archives team and have scope to inform and influence national initiatives and projects.  These aim to develop strategies with the heritage sector for archaeological excavation archive creation, compilation and storage.

The national remit of this role is especially important now, as the Future for Archaeological Archives Programme progresses its ambitious action plan.

This is a Full-time 36 hours a week post.

What you will be doing:

Working with our archaeological teams, including Investigative Science, you will:

• Lead and manage the Archaeological Archives Team - the Archaeological Archives Curator, Digital Data Archaeologist and Research Report Series Manager. All three posts have distinct functions that contribute to the promotion of Historic England’s work and public profile.

 •  Oversee the management, compilation and transfer of archaeological archives generated by the Archaeological Excavation team.

 •  Advise on all aspects of archaeological excavation archives within Historic England and externally. This includes ownership for setting, maintaining and supporting standards in archaeological archives and for promoting those standards within the heritage sector.  This includes acting as programme manager for the Future for Archaeological Archives Programme.

 •  Oversee the management of the Historic England Research Report Series.

 • Provide project assurance and advise the Historic England Grants Team on Historic England grant-aided projects relating to archaeological archives.

 •  Working with the Archaeological Investigation leadership team, you will help to shape and implement our strategic plan for archaeology at Historic England. You will ensure that practice-led expertise remains at the heart of our work that includes providing archaeological services for Historic England’s six regions and the English Heritage Trust.  You will help to enhance our presence, impact and influence within Historic England and across the heritage sector.

We are looking for someone with:

·      A  good understanding and professional experience of archaeological post-excavation procedures and collections management, including documentation, storage systems and storage environments.

·      Substantial experience in the management of archaeological excavation archives, including digital material, as well as knowledge of relevant standards.

·      Good advocacy and communication skills and an ability to negotiate and foster partnerships and opportunities. In this context, you should have a good working knowledge of the sector, and an ability to build relationships there, such as with professional bodies, heritage contractors, consultants, museum staff and Local Authority heritage teams.

·      Experience of management, especially in supporting team members, meeting deadlines, managing budgets and procurement of equipment and services.

·      Successful experience in establishing relationships, working as part of a team and seeking to support and help others.

·      A clear knowledge of, and commitment to, the strategic purpose of Historic England, especially our archaeological work.

We are an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusion. If you have a disability or neurodiversity, we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you. Having just won the Gold Award from MIND, we also recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance.

We are an inclusive employer and believe that flexible working options are for everyone. We want to make sure our working arrangements don’t prevent anyone from joining us because of their personal circumstances. We also want to provide you with the best balance in your home and work life that we can.

We are open to considering options including job sharing, part-time working, compressed hours working and different working locations, including hybrid working. Please visit our jobs pages or contact us to find out more.

Why work for Historic England

We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive pension scheme starting at 26% contributions, a generous 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites across the country and development opportunities to ensure you achieve your goals.

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for everyone. Diversity helps us to perform better and attract more people to support our work. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and candidates with disabilities as they are underrepresented within Historic England at this level.

Historic England want all of our candidates to shine in the recruitment process. Please tell us what we can do to make sure you can show us your very best self. You can contact us by email at ResourcingTeam@Historicengland.org.uk or telephone 07763387811 if you have any recruitment queries.

Provisional interview dates - 11th or 12th May 2023

Please click the following link for a copy of the Job Description;

https://historicengland.org.uk/content/job-descriptions-hr/archaeological-archives-principal/