Assistant Director, Drawings & Archives Collections

17.03.2008 | what’s on
by RIBA Royal Institute of British Architects
British Architectural Library

Overview / Job Purpose

The purpose of the post is to administer and manage the British Architectural Library’s Drawings & Archives Collections. Responsibilities include all aspects of collections management and development, use and day-to-day running of the collections, overseeing cataloguing and conservation projects, and safety of the collections. The job holder has particular responsibility for the development, management and preservation of digital archives, the historic Archives Collection, and the development of the RIBA Archive. The job holder also has managerial responsibilities.

Duties
The duties set out below outline the range of activities currently required. They are not a comprehensive list.

For further information please visit: RIBA Current Vacancies.

Closing Date: 31 March 2008

Duties may include:

  • Working closely with the Director, British Architectural Library and Associate Director (Development) & H.J.Heinz Curator of Drawings in managing and developing the Drawings and Archives Collections
  • Developing and implementing a digital management and preservation policy
  • Contributing to the RIBA Trust’s & Library’s Strategic Plan
  • Contributing to the V&A + RIBA Architecture Partnership
  • Maintaining, developing and implementing collection management policies and procedures
  • Preparing policy papers, written briefs, ad hoc and regular reports
  • Collection development and acquisitions, including developing policies and negotiating accessions with vendors and potential donors
  • Developing and administering digital collecting policy
  • Managing the processing of new accessions and ongoing cataloguing projects
  • Developing and administering conservation policies and programmes, including Disaster Plan for the collections
  • Managing a records management service for the RIBA
  • Overseeing the management of the RIBA Architecture Study Rooms and outstores
  • Assisting with retrieving and shelving material, including from outstores
  • Planning, researching and preparing/editing/writing learned catalogues and publications
  • Devising, planning and implementing exhibition programmes, travelling exhibitions and external loans
  • Managing an information service including records and statistics and provide expert advice, information and opinion relating to the range of material in and subjects of the collections, and on curatorial and archival theory and practice
  • Manager of RIBA website pages on the Drawings & Archives Collections
  • Providing historical records and information concerning the RIBA
  • Assisting in education programmes, including formal and informal presentations and instruction through seminars, lectures and talks
  • Promoting the collections (both internal and external), by giving guided tours and talks, arranging temporary displays of material, and writing articles
  • Assisting in the financial management and budgeting of the collections, including the preparation of applications for external funding and reports to funding bodies
  • Raising income through income-generating services, licensing and merchandising, grants sponsorship and other means
  • Developing and training members of the Drawings & Archives Collections staff
  • To undertake other tasks and duties as may reasonably be requested by the RIBA. Some of the above duties may be delegated.
  • Staff Responsibilities and Non-staff Resources
  • Management and development of Drawings & Archives Collections staff, plus contract, interns and volunteers
  • Budget holder for Drawings & Archives Collections
  • A list of duties in a job profile is not intended to be all-inclusive and other duties within the department may be required. Job profiles do not form part of the contract of employment. Job profiles will be reviewed annually and when necessary in accordance with organisational needs and any major changes will be discussed with the post holder.

Knowledge and Experience: Proven track record in managing architectural archives, previous experience of managing staff and delivering projects through indirect management, experience of implementing and delivering successful projects/initiatives, knowledge of, and interest in, architectural history and contemporary practice, working knowledge of at least one foreign language

Education and Training: Degree and postgraduate qualification in archive administration or equivalent working experience

Technical Skills: Knowledge and experience of AACR2 and MARC, WP/PC competent with experience of Word, Outlook, Excel, Access and use of computers in archives work, knowledge of financial procedures and processes, experience of writing reports

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