As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is already a special place to work. We're an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history. But it's where we go next that makes things really interesting.
In our strategic vision:
Archives for Everyone,
we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won't become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring.
That's where you come in. Because we can't do this without you.
Job Overview
Salary: £39,567 per annum
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment for 2 years
Band: F / Senior Executive Officer
Closing date: Wednesday 8th October 2025 at midnight
The National Archives is the official archive of the UK government, holding over 1,000 years of the nation's history. The Collection Care team is a multidisciplinary group of specialists responsible for the preservation and sustainable access of The National Archives' physical collection through innovative conservation treatment, collections management, and research projects.
We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Registrar to join the Collections Care Department for a two-year fixed term appointment. The primary purpose of this role is to shape the registrar processes for the expanding touring programme, and to deliver registrar responsibilities within the established loans and exhibition programme onsite at The National Archives, nationally, and internationally.
Working with colleagues across the organisation and supported by the Registrar, Conservation, and Exhibitions teams, you will be responsible for leading the delivery of an end-to-end exhibitions and loans service and managing relations with internal colleagues and external partners. In this role you will be required to work to tight deadlines.
You will bring specialist expertise in preparing records for loans and exhibitions, ensuring the highest standards of collections care, compliance, and coordination in close collaboration with colleagues and external partners. You will have excellent organisational and negotiation skills and an in-depth understanding of the legal framework of loans in line with current professional standards as well as national and international guidelines.
In addition to managing the loans and exhibitions programme you will actively engage in Collection Care programmes and their on-going development, including knowledge sharing, and actively promoting the work of the department across The National Archives and to a wider professional community.
This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.
A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.
Application Process
* Interview: Interviews will be held on-site, week commencing 27th October 2025
* Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to submit work history details and a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words.
Selection for interview will be based on the 'essential' requirements in the job description so please ensure that your statement demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements, particularly any projects you have worked on and how you approached them.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please visit the Civil Service Careers website where you can find further information on the use of AI in the application guidance section.
Sponsorship
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Job Description
Role and Responsibilities
* Shape, develop and evaluate registrar procedures for The National Archives expanding touring and regional programme in line with current international standards and optimising the use of our resources
* Take ownership of external loans (in and out) in line with Collection Care's Strategy
* Appraise the Head of Collection Care and, if necessary, the Chief Executive and Keeper, of any matters of organisational importance arising throughout any loan process
* Ensure that all aspects of the loans and exhibitions programme, including assessment of conditions at borrowing institutions, drafting contracts and contractual negotiations, preparatory work for display, security and transport of items are carried out to tight deadlines and in line with current international standards
* Independently solve complex problems, applying expert degree of technical expertise, judgement, innovation and adaptability and, negotiate the resulting decisions with peers and stakeholders within and beyond The National Archives
* Ensure all documentation is carried out according to departmental procedures and in line with international standards
* Work with colleagues within The National Archives, to enhance relationships, and encourage best preservation and exhibition practice
* Assess and manage risks to The National Archives' collections in accordance with the profession's guidelines and standards (in particular Government Indemnity Scheme, Museums Association, UKRG, ICON and Collections Trust)
* Contribute significantly to the overall improvement of knowledge and skills within the department by developing and implementing new thinking and approaches to caring for archival collections
* Retain informed and up-to date knowledge of developments relating to British Government Indemnity, Immunity from Seizure, Known Consignor, art transport, security and display considerations, and other matters relating to exhibitions organisation, taking a proactive part in personal and professional development
* Provide professional advice and guidance on the care of highly valuable or iconic archival collections, in particular whilst on loan
* Actively communicate the care and management of archives and the outcomes of projects across The National Archives and to a wider professional community through articles, workshops, meetings and seminars
Working Conditions
* Normal office environment
* Display Screen Equipment user
* Regularly moving items up to 10 kg and occasionally moving heavy documents (over 25 kg) with the use of equipment such as trolleys, scissor lifts and other dedicated document transfer equipment. Training will be provided.
* May come into contact with distressing material
* May require evening or weekend availability
* National and international travel
Person Specification
Essential
* A graduate from a recognised Conservation, Art History, or Museum Studies programme or appropriate work experience with a high standard of collections management knowledge, skill and practice beyond initial training with a demonstrable expertise in loans and exhibitions planning
* Substantial knowledge of Government Indemnity Scheme, other legal frameworks around loans of cultural heritage objects and loans (in and out) processes
* Extensive knowledge of current registrar practice and ethical standards and the ability to develop creative and innovative approaches to the care, display and transport of highly valuable, iconic and often vulnerable archival collections
* Solving complex problems and making decisions with a high degree of professional judgement
* Outstanding ability to work collaboratively and to build and lead a team able to deliver outcomes to an agreed standard and tight deadlines
* Working on own initiative, with strong organisational skills to prioritise work streams and own workload
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills; the ability to communicate effectively at all levels within the organisation and with a wide range of external customers
* Proficiency with IT systems including MS office products and adaptability to use new and emerging technologies
Desirable
* Experience in developing or delivering touring programmes
* Diploma in Law and Collections Management from the Institute of Art & Law (IAL), a similar qualification or a willingness to pursue such an award
* Excellent IT and numeracy skills, and experience of managing complex data
* Excellent presentation skills
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is
found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service
D&I Strategy.
Benefits
Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development. Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum.
Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at (opens in new window)
Reasonable adjustments
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
* Contact The National Archives via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
* Complete the 'Reasonable Adjustments' section of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks (opens in new window)
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. (opens in new window)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. (opens in new window)
Contact Point For Applicants
* Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team
* Email:
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at (opens in new window)