Location: Maidenhead, SL6 7DX
Contract Type: Fixed‑term contract (9 months)
Salary: £26,722
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week (Mon – Fri)
What you’ll be doing
This is a fantastic opportunity to begin a career in archives within a unique heritage organisation. As our Trainee Archivist, you’ll be part of a small, knowledgeable team caring for historical records. You’ll support the day‑to‑day running of our archive service, helping researchers access collections, retrieving and handling records, and welcoming visitors to the Reading Room. You’ll gain hands‑on experience accessioning, cataloguing and preserving both physical and digital material, working to recognised professional standards using our collections management system. Alongside this, you’ll assist with basic conservation work such as reboxing items, digitising records through scanning materials, and contributing to projects that raise the profile of the archive – from online content and presentations to exhibitions and collaborative work with other heritage organisations. You’ll also help develop policies and processes that ensure our archive remains accessible, accurate and resilient for the future. Throughout the role, you’ll be supported to develop your professional skills, share knowledge with colleagues, and contribute ideas that improve how we work.
What you need to have
* An undergraduate degree or equivalent relevant archive experience
* A genuine interest in pursuing a career in archives or records management
* Familiarity with cataloguing systems, databases, or similar information management tools
* Good IT skills, strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail
* A basic understanding of archival principles, with a willingness to learn and develop professionally
This role includes some physical activity, including lifting items, moving archive materials and working within storage areas. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments wherever possible.
Who we are
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an organisation dedicated to honouring and caring for the graves and memorials of service members who died in the two World Wars. The work of the commission is not only out on the field, but in our head office too, which contributes to the meaningful commemoration of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
What we offer
* 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 with each year of service
* Paid time off for public holidays, privilege day, and paid time off between Christmas and New Year
* Work from home every Friday
* Generous pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution)
* Life assurance with a payout of x3 annual salary
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Cycle to Work scheme
How to apply
If you believe your skillsets align with this opportunity, we welcome your application by clicking the apply now button.
This role will close when we have received a reasonable number of suitable applications.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applications from everyone.
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