Vacancy Details

Full Time, Permanent

Successful candidate in this new role at the British Library will lead strategic work in developing the Library's Black Studies Plan, as well as developing the Library's expanding collections of contemporary archives and manuscripts relating to Black British experience and promoting engagement with them for the benefit of researchers, learners, Black British communities and the wider public.

You will be able to demonstrate an interest in and understanding of Black Studies along with a degree level qualification or equivalent experience in a subject area relevant to the role. If applicable to you, you will be willing to achieve a professional qualification in library or archival studies through the CILIP framework (or equivalent) within two years of appointment. Previous employment experience in an academic, public, special or research library, or another relevant environment, is desirable, as is a good understanding of current debates relating to cultural heritage collections.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the British Library at a pivotal moment and to play a leading role in shaping its future direction, partnerships, archival collection development and collections engagement in this crucial area.

As one of the world’s great libraries, our duty is to preserve the nation’s intellectual memory for the future and make it available to all for research, inspiration and enjoyment. At present we have well over 170 million items, in most known languages, with three million new items added every year. We have manuscripts, maps, newspapers, magazines, prints and drawings, music scores, and patents. We make our collections and programmes available to all. We operate the world’s largest document delivery service providing millions of items a year to customers all over the world. What matters to us is that we preserve the national memory and enable knowledge to be created both now and in the future by anyone, anywhere.

In return we offer a competitive salary and a number of excellent benefits.  Our pension scheme is one of the most valuable benefits we offer, as our staff can become members of the Alpha Pension Scheme where the Library contributes a minimum of 26.6% (this may be higher dependant on grade. Another significant benefit the Library provides is the provision of a flexible working hours scheme which could allow you to work your hours flexibly over the week and to take up to 5 days flexi leave in a 3 month period. This is on top of 25 days holiday from entry and public and privilege holidays.

For further information and to apply, please visit www.bl.uk/careers quoting vacancy ref:04374

Closing Date: 26 February 2023

Interview Date: 15 March 2023

We are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa for this role, as it does not meet the eligibility criteria required for this immigration route