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: £62,000 - £64,500 per annum
Contract type: permanent
Band: H / Grade 6
Closing date: Sunday 11th January 2026 at midnight
Have you successfully led marketing and external communications within a complex organisation? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join us in this critical role to help us shape how we present The National Archives to the world. One of our four strategic objectives for 2025-2030 is to grow the profile of this unique and complex institution. We hold and create access to 1000 years of the nation’s history and ensure preservation of the digital present for the future. From driving audiences to our ever more successful exhibitions, consolidating our growing brand, promoting our role in democracy and highlighting the multi-faceted work of the organisation, you will join us at an exciting time. The Head of Marketing and External Communications will lead and deliver a comprehensive strategy to enhance The National Archives’ (TNA) visibility, reputation and impact across the UK and globally. This role will spearhead how TNA tells its story digitally and physically to diverse audiences, ensure digital transformation is central to communications, will amplify how TNA connects with communities through its national engagement and exhibitions and will substantially increase public awareness of TNA and its work. We are looking for a dynamic, inspiring and experienced Head of Marketing and External Communications to lead a busy department of talented marketing and media colleagues as we deliver this new strategy for 2025-2030. Why join us?
Key Benefits
* Located in beautiful Kew, just 10 minutes’ walk from the Overground and Underground stations.
* Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
* 30 days holiday (excluding bank holidays)
* Flexible working opportunities include job share
* Numerous wellbeing resources and benefits including an on-site gym, restaurant (with staff discount), shop, and various staff events
* Inclusive culture that embraces different perspectives, and one where people are encouraged to think differently and find innovative solutions
* Joining an organisation full of committed and talented colleagues, often world leaders in their field, who all share a passion for creating high quality, user focused services for a range of audiences. 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.
* Interview : Interviews will be held on-site on Monday 26th January. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to give a short presentation at interview, as well as complete an editing task.
* 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 below so please ensure that your statement demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements. 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
* Lead the Marketing and External Communications Department, consisting of marketing and media teams.
* Responsible for the smooth running of the Department including budget, HR, and other administrative oversight roles.
* Work with Chief Curator and other colleagues on planning our content strategy, owning the TNA brand, taking charge of the comms plan and narrative to ensure that our programme will be designed to have the maximum reach and impact.
* Direct all marketing initiatives, and cultivate strategic partnerships to enhance the reach, impact, and efficiency of promotional efforts with a variety of audiences.
* Lead implementation and further development of The National Archives’ growing brand identity, increasing recognition and awareness of our offer.
* Oversee media communications campaigns designed to engage different audiences : visitors, online users, researchers, schools, regional communities, and global partners.
* Ensure a current and robust crisis communications plan, including stakeholder mapping and rapid response to major issues, is in place.
* Anticipate reputational risks.
* Advise Executive Team and Board on communications which are sensitive to ethical and legal obligations such as data protection, and compliant with civil service codes.
* Work closely with colleagues in other areas of the organisation with an external voice, such as digital and publishing to ensure consistent and set the direction for clear messaging across all platforms
* Set and deliver stretching targets for audience development across our offer.
Working Conditions
* Normal office environment
* Display Screen Equipment user
Person Specification
Essential criteria
* Significant leadership experience in senior communications and marketing roles in complex public-facing organisations. Diplomatic and authoritative communicator, who can get buy-in for key messages, both internally and externally, and can influence senior leaders on marketing and communications decisions.
* Extensive experience of using audience data to drive marketing and communications campaigns and create growth.
* Proven ability to initiate and oversee successful campaigns to support of new products, brand building, and services across a range of platforms.
* Experienced in proportionate risk management including crisis communications (both planned and unplanned).
* Exceptional written and editorial skills for producing clear compelling and audience appropriate content
* Experience of dealing with the media (broadcast, national, specialist and online) from both a pro-active and reactive perspective.
* Able to manage resources creatively and identify new ways for marketing and external communications to add value.
* Strong team player with an inspiring, consultative working style and good people management, coaching and development skills, including working through others outside of line management.
Other Requirements
* A combination of onsite (minimum three days per week) and home working is available and applicants should be able to attend to our Kew site.
* Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.
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 30 days per calendar year 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 https : / / www.childcarechoices.gov.uk; (opens in new window)
Selection process details
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.
Reasonable adjustments
* Contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk 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.
Nationality requirements
* UK nationals
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in new window)
* relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
* relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
* certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in new window)
Contact point for applicants
* Name : The National Archives Recruitment Team
* Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk
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 : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at https : / / civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk / recruitment / recruitment-complaints / (opens in new window)
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