Britten–Pears Foundation
Head of Archive and Library
Please find the details about the role of Head of Archive and Library at the
Britten-Pears Foundation below. If after reading this information you are
interested in working at BPF please apply by:
1. filling in the application form;
2. writing us a covering e-mail;
3. e-mailing your application form with a completed Equal Opportunities
form to [email protected] no later than Monday 19 June 2017,
including the words Head of Archive and Library in the e-mail title.
We would prefer to receive your application by e-mail, but you can print it out
and post it if you need to. We are an equal opportunities employer, so please
get in touch if you would like to receive and return your application in a
different format. You can call us on 01728 451700, or write to us at:
Anna Hunter
Operations and Estates Manager
Britten—Pears Foundation
The Red House
Golf Lane
Aldeburgh
Suffolk IP15 5PZ
The closing date for applications is Monday 19 June 2017.
Unfortunately we cannot confirm receipt of posted applications. Once we have
shortlisted the applications we will be in touch. Interviews will be conducted on
Tuesday 27 June 2017.
Thank you for your interest in this post.
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Application pack
Background
The Britten—Pears Foundation was established to promote the musical legacy of
Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. Britten was one of the foremost composers of
the twentieth century and developed with the tenor Peter Pears a creative
partnership which inspired Britten's music and also led to the founding of the
Aldeburgh Festival.
The Foundation is based at The Red House, the former home of Britten and
Pears, in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. It is a registered charity formed in 1986 when the
estates of Britten and Pears were reconstructed following the latter’s death. Its
annual income largely derives from the royalties arising from worldwide
performances and broadcasts of Britten’s works.
Who’s who
Chairman Nicholas Prettejohn
Trustees Edward Blakeman, Caroline Brazier, Andrew Fane, Jane Hay, Penny Heath,
Sir Christopher Howes, Sally Irvine, Colin Matthews, Oliver Rivers, Janis Susskind
General Director Sarah Bardwell
Director of Music Dr Colin Matthews
Head of Finance Keith Nicholls
Director of Learning Dr Lucy Walker
Executive Assistant Amanda Arnold
Operations and Estates Manager Anna Hunter
IT Manager Paul Cook
Communications Manager Ella Roberts
Collections and Learning Curator Joe Carr
Librarian Dr Nick Clark
Archivists Jude Brimmer, Judith Ratcliffe
Front of House Administrator Julia Mael
Front of House and Communications Assistant Charlotte Flight
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Application pack
Job description
Job title
Hours of work
Grade
Head of Archive and Library
35 hours per week,
9.30am-5.30pm, Mon - Fri
with occasional evenings and weekends
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Responsible to
General Director
Responsible for
Archivist, Librarian, fixed term archive staff
Key relationships
Senior Management team
Post
Permanent, full time
Summary
The Britten-Pears Foundation exists to ensure that the legacies of Benjamin Britten
and Peter Pears continue to be enjoyed worldwide. The organisation aims to preserve
and encourage engagement with the archive, heritage, and its extensive and various
collections by researchers, members of the public and future generations. In addition
the Foundation supports the commissioning of new musical works, performance and
other related activities.
A designated outstanding collection it includes a large paper and manuscripts archive,
photographs, audio-visual collections, artworks, books, oral histories, furniture and
objects. Some of the collections are presented within the Red House itself where
Britten and Pears lived and worked, some are displayed in museum galleries and a
temporary exhibition space. The archive itself is housed in a state-of-the-art building
opened in 2013. With purpose-built storage facilities, this passive building also houses
an impressive reading room and generous office facilities.
Main purpose of post
This is a leadership role at one of the leading musical resources in the country and
arguably the most complete composer’s archive in the world. In order to be at the
forefront of this community the Foundation requires the postholder to bring
inspirational leadership to develop this facility and fully utilise this incredible resource.
This postholder will provide strategic direction and be responsible for the development
of information resources and all collections in appropriate formats. S/he will lead
initiatives and take part in the opportunities provided by new technologies to ensure
that the archive and collections can be easily accessed and effectively exploited by
users. The ideal candidate will have had experience as a Senior Archivist and of the
latest archival technology and current best practice. S/he will have the imagination
and determination to develop new ways of encouraging people to use and engage with
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Application pack
the archive in person and online, as well as the experience to lead teams to develop a
plan to complete the cataloguing process.
Responsibilities:
General
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Develop and implement a strategy and policies to manage current catalogue
and work towards completing the outstanding cataloguing.
Develop and improve access to the BPF archive, library and collections.
Organise and develop the archives and collections to enable their use as an
academic resource for research.
Identify key resources suitable for cataloguing and digitisation projects to widen
access.
Ensure the archive meets British and international standards for archival
storage and be responsible for the preservation of the collections.
Networks
 Develop links, partnerships and integration between the Foundation and the
national and regional archives, libraries and academic sectors.
 Build effective partnerships with other professional archival bodies and
institutions including National Archives and British Library.
 Play an active role in local, regional and national collections and heritage
forums and activities to represent and promote the Foundation.
Standards
 Lead team to achieve Archive Accreditation.
 Set, monitor and manage quality standards and performance across the range
of the Foundation’s collections.
 Remain, and ensure that archival staff remain, up to date with new
developments in the collections and archive fields.
 Advise on matters relating to compliance with legislation copyright, data
protection etc.
Promotion and advocacy of the BPF archive and collection
 Contribute content to the BPF web pages, blog and social media platforms.
 Represent BPF at relevant archive and library events, networking groups and
conferences.
 Prepare and deliver engagement and advocacy activities including displays and
talks.
 Identify promotional partnerships with other institutions and archives.
 Identify opportunities to promote BPF through its heritage.
 Identify opportunities to use BPF collections to develop a sense of community
and shared excitement around its history.
 Attendance at BPF board meetings as required.
Fundraising
 Identify suitable funding opportunities and prepare funding bids.
 Identify and develop suitable project partnerships.
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Application pack
Management and finance
 General management of the archive team, including direct line management of
archivist and librarian.
 Agree archive staffing structure including trainees, volunteers and fixed term
contracts.
 Agree, and be accountable for, archive and library budgets.
Any other duties that may be required by the General Director
Essential knowledge and skills
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Demonstrable experience of managing archive collections
Ability to think strategically about archival management and use
An outward looking and forward thinking individual
Graduate with post-graduate archive qualification or equivalent
Experience of managing staff and volunteers
Experience of working with CALM or similar database
Experience of public, on-line catalogues
Highly adaptable and motivated team player
Ability and aptitude to get involved in all archival and collection areas and take
on projects and duties as necessary
Passion for archives and enthusing that passion to others
Desirable knowledge and skills
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An interest in heritage, music and the arts
April 2017
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