Salary: £37,576 to £42,610 pa (depending on experience) + generous benefits package
Hours: Full time, 37.5h/week – we are open to discussion on flexible working
Locations: based at one of our four offices: Silsoe, Leeds, Hereford, Edinburgh (Leeds Office preferred) with options for some home working
Contract Type: permanent, subject to six-month probation
Closing Date: 18th September 2024
Headland Archaeology is offering a rare and excellent opportunity for a capable, enthusiastic and driven person to 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 an expanding workload at all offices, and the increasingly technical and schedule-driven nature of archaeological archiving work, Headland Archaeology is now seeking a self-motivated, knowledgeable and enthusiastic archives manager to lead the expanding team.
The job will involve managing the Archives Department, providing archiving services and advice and maintaining overall perspective on archiving work across all our operations. It will also involve: co-ordinating archiving work on paper, physical and digital archives to internal standards and the requirements of the relevant receiving bodies; ensuring Headland’s archives are maintained in a well-ordered state and that archiving runs efficiently; liaising with other team members and external bodies; 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 expert 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 (Member level) 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 desirable.
The applicant must have excellent communication and organisation skills and the ability to manage multiple 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, energy and vision to drive the department forwards.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Manage and provide advice on packaging, storage, transportation and handling of physical archives
- Manage and provide advice on ordering and packaging paper archives
- Manage and provide advice on digital archiving, both internal and for deposition with external bodies
- Schedule archiving work and maintain responsibility for meeting deadlines, and targets
- Provide estimations of archiving resource requirements and manage archiving department and project budgets
- 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
- Work with other team members to ensure archives are left tidy and archive-ready
- 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
- Select team members, manage their performance and deal with poor performance
- Provide training for other Post-excavation staff and Fieldwork staff
- Mentor trainee archive staff, develop teams and individuals
- Manage your time and other resources so that you can meet your objectives within the allocated budget
- Oversee project archive budgets, quality and progress
- Provide estimates and quotes for archiving work and expenses including liaising with external bodies
- Evaluate project achievements and company systems and suggest improvements
- Maintain overall financial responsibility for departmental budget
- Identify hazards and evaluate and reduce risks to Health and Safety in your workplace.
- Undertake other tasks appropriate to your skills and knowledge
Essential skills:
- Undergraduate degree in archaeology or related discipline and/or relevant fieldwork experience
- Expert knowledge and experience of UK archiving procedures and standards
- Ability to manage teams and budgets and demonstrable experience of doing so
- Proven track record in management and archiving work
- Good general working knowledge of archaeological procedures, recording, artefacts and general archaeology 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 archival and artefactual work
- Membership of CIfA
- 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 British Isles
- Familiarity with relevant receiving bodies for paper, physical and digital archives
- Strong IT skills, including file management, databases and MS Office
- Good communication skills and the ability to work alone or with a team
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to schedule, co-ordinate and monitor tasks and other team members
- Strong interpersonal and coaching skills
- A good eye for detail and ability to accurately observe, record and follow instructions
- 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 Member level
- Membership of relevant archives groups and bodies (eg CIfA Archaeological Archives Group)
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
- Annual profit discretionary bonus & performance-related bonus schemes
- Monthly clothing allowance
- 33 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
- Leadership and management training and workshops
- 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 Julie Franklin at ‘jobs@headlandarchaeology.com’ quoting reference ARCM24
Postal applications will not be accepted. Details of references should include their name, relationship to the applicant, postal address, email address and phone number.
Interviews will be on 19th September
Informal inquiries concerning the role can be made to Julie Franklin – julie.franklin@headlandarchaeology.com