Regional Loans Programme Coordinator

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, pro rata

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment until 31 May 2028

Band: F / Senior Executive Officer

Closing date: Sunday 15th March 2026 at midnight

About The Team

The Regional and Networks Team's core purpose is to develop relationships with the archives sector across England (c. 2500 archives), and with key regional, local and specialist stakeholders. Team members each have wide ranging responsibilities with a large portfolio of archive services and stakeholders.

We are a friendly and supportive team, working collaboratively and flexibly to link those working with archives with the expertise and opportunities offered by The National Archives and across networks. Post holders typically find the role rewarding on a professional level, with plenty of opportunities to learn and develop professional competence in a number of key areas.

About The Role

The National Archives is launching a new National Touring and Supported Regional Loan Programme, designed to share its collections more widely across the UK while strengthening the archive sector’s confidence and capacity to host loans. As Regional Loans Programme Coordinator, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering this new programme, working closely with colleagues across The National Archives and with archive partners nationwide.

About You

As someone who will be leading the programme you will have strong relationship building skills, with both individuals and organisations, to lead to partnership working and concrete impacts. You will be able to demonstrate commitment to the preservation and effective management of archives and the ability to articulate the value of archives and information management in the private sector. You will have a track record of managing a demanding workload and prioritising effectively to achieve maximum impact.

You must have strong experience in collections management, loans or exhibitions, and a solid understanding of the legal, ethical and practical frameworks that underpin them. You will bring professional judgement, attention to detail and the ability to manage complex processes, while remaining flexible and solutions-focused when challenges arise. Experience of working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external, will be essential, as will the ability to

communicate clearly and professionally with partners at different stages of their development.

You must be able to travel within the UK with associated overnight stays as necessary. Currently there are 5 members of the Regional and Networks team that are based in their regions working from home covering regions outside of the North East e.g. NW, South West, Midlands, and SE. Working patterns are flexible to accommodate the need to travel outside the office as well as operate from TNA in Kew as required.

This is a part time post at 21.6 hours per week (0.6 FTE).

Application Process

• Interview: Interviews will be held on-site in Kew, from 23rd March 2026 at the earliest. Candidates invited to interview will be asked to prepare a presentation, or for a discussion.
• 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.

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

Department Archive Sector Leadership

Reports to Head of Regions and Networks

Line manages No

Band Band F

Job Purpose

The National Touring and Supported Regional Loan Programme is a new initiative by The National Archives (TNA) to share its collection across partner archive locations across the UK. The programme aims to connect audiences with TNA’s collection, while also enabling the archive sector to build a robust loaning infrastructure through specialist support, national guidance and partnerships.

As Regional Loans Programme Coordinator, you will play a key role as part of a team of archive professionals responsible for the delivery of the programme. This role is an incredible opportunity to support the design and lead the delivery of this important new initiative.

Working with colleagues across the organisation and supported by the Collection Care Engagement and Loans Team, you will be responsible for establishing and managing relationships with partner archive organisations. In collaboration with partner archive organisations, you will be responsible for developing and delivering a programme of spotlight loan and touring display activity featuring important records from TNA’s collection – leading the delivery of an end-to-end supported loans se

rvice. You will play a vital role in supporting partners to build curatorial skills and public engagement experience by developing displays that resonate strongly with their local communities. (needs to be clearer its arranging training, over leading training)

The Regional Loans Programme Coordinator will provide specialist training and guidance across the archive sector to build confidence in taking in loans (rethink, more like arranging training). You will have expert knowledge of archive collections management practice, and a specialism in preparing records for loans and exhibitions. You will have excellent organisational, project management and communication skills and an understanding of the legal framework of loans in line with current professional standards as well as national guidelines.

Role and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage The National Archives’ National Touring and Supported Regional Loan Programme, working with the Regional and Networks team and the Collection Care Engagement and Loans team.
• Identify and manage partnerships with collecting and archive institutions throughout the programme
• Work with partner archives to identify loans and create displays relevant to local communities, while supporting curatorial and engagement expertise with TNA colleagues.

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

Under the guidance of the Collection Care Engagement and Loans Team, 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 throughout the programme

Manage a set budget for the programme, with approval from Head of Audiences and Head of Regions and Networks

Support evaluation of the programme by collating and providing relevant data relating to sector and audience engagement and impact

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment
• 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

Person Specification

Essential

• Graduate of a recognised Conservation, Art History, Museum Studies, or Archives program, or equivalent experience with advanced collections management and proven skills in loans and exhibition planning
• Experience of managing relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Knowledge of Government Indemnity Scheme, other legal frameworks around loans of cultural heritage objects and loans (in and out) processes
• 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
• Independently solve complex problems, applying a high degree of professional judgement, technical expertise, and adaptability, and negotiating decisions with peers and stakeholders. Liaising with colleagues where appropriate.
• Ability to work independently, whilst having a strong team work ethic of skills and ideas sharing. Sound judgement in choosing when to operate on own authority and when to refer matters to head of team

Proven written and verbal communications, including the ability to produce (working with someone to produce) high caliber training programmes, reports, and guidance documents, mindful of the impact on the intended audience

Proficiency with IT systems including MS office products and adaptability to use new and emerging technologies

Desirable

• Experience of curating and developing displays relevant for a wide range of audiences or loans
• Excellent IT and numeracy skills, and experience of managing complex data
• Proven ability to effectively manage project budgets and resources
  
  

Other Requirements

• The post holder must be able to travel within the UK with associated overnight stays. Homeworking can be offered where appropriate.
  
  

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)