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: £28,337 per annum Contract type: permanent Band: D / EO Closing date: Sunday 18th May at midnight We are looking for a Document Services Manager to oversee the operation of one of our repositories, or associated areas, and line manage a team of up to eight people. The successful applicant will have the potential for managing and developing teams, if not demonstrable experience of doing so. As a custodian of over 1000 years of iconic national documents, this person will be highly motivated, with the ability to stay calm under pressure and have experience of delivering to a deadline. They will also be a team player with excellent interpersonal skills, and a methodical approach. Working collaboratively with the other repository managers, they will be operating in a busy environment to deliver an important service to our circa 37,000 annual reading room visitors. If this sounds like you, join us here in beautiful Kew, just 10 minutes’ walk from the Overground and Underground stations. Staff can expect a range of benefits including a Civil Service Pension, discounts at local businesses, wellbeing resources and we also have an on-site gym, restaurant and staff bar. This is an onsite role with a standard working pattern of Monday to Friday, plus overtime on every third Saturday. Every six weeks, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you would have a later than start e.g. working 11am-7pm. 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. How to apply: To submit your application please click the 'Apply' button on this page. You will be asked to provide details of your work experience and write a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words. In your personal statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section. We understand that you might use artificial intelligence (AI) and other resources to assist with your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesn’t include ideas or work that isn’t your own. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice. Job Description Job Purpose The Document Services Department (DSD) is responsible for the document storage, production, replacement, and duplication of the National Archives collection and is the first point of contact for users and visitors to the archives. The collection currently exceeds 17 million documents and expands each year. DSD provides advice and guidance to visitors, staff, and government departments as well as physical access to the records at Kew, via a reader registration process. Currently c500,000 physical documents are produced per annum, primarily to members of the public in the reading rooms at Kew. The post holder will be expected to be flexible, and self-motivated, undertaking duties appropriate to the achievement of DSD document service standards and targets while paying particular attention to the preservation requirements of the documents and maintaining a high level of customer service. This role requires a willingness to be part of a team that will help to reshape, develop, and improve upon the service currently provided by Document Services, by ensuring that we have the right balance of skills and flexibility required to continue providing an exemplary service. Role and Responsibilities You will be in operational control of a team; organising and supervising their work to agreed deadlines, targets and standards. You will ensure resources are appropriately and efficiently allocated to key areas of work and that identified priorities are always covered adequately. You will additionally be responsible for managing and responding to the relevant document audit requirements for your area. Using internal systems to track storage and space, in collaboration with colleagues, you will respond to location queries. You will undertake the role of Conservation Liaison Officer for your area: taking appropriate action on priority ratings provided by the Collection Care Department on documents judged in need of attention and train and motivate staff in your section to be alert and take appropriate action on document preservation matters. You will line manage staff in accordance with TNA management standards; for example, ensuring that they take part in development activities, arranging regular team meetings and 1:1s and managing attendance, performance and probation. You will represent your area at management meetings and provide reports or data as requested by senior managers. Reporting to one of the senior managers, you will be responsible in your area for the daily procedural checks and monitoring of equipment. In addition, occasional checks at an off-site storage facility will be required. To contribute to the achievement of TNA public service targets, including Customer Service Excellence standards for user satisfaction Working Conditions Full time (Mon-Fri), plus overtime on one Saturday in three Display Screen Equipment user Moving items up to 10kg in weight May come into contact with distressing material Person Specification Essential criteria: The potential for managing and developing a demand-led customer facing team Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Proven ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines High level of self-motivation and attention to detail with the capability to motivate others Proven organisational and resource management capability (e.g. allocating the time of a team to ensure that essential tasks are completed) Excellent co-ordinating and liaising skills when working with colleagues from a variety of teams and departments IT literacy (competent user of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) Other Requirements This role requires onsite working at our Kew site and occasional overnight stays for offsite visits. 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ ( 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 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. 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: 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)