Delivery Manager, Commercial Development - The Guardian : Job Details

The National Archives (TNA) is the UK government's official archive, containing over 1,000 years of history. It provides detailed guidance to government departments and the public sector on information management and advises others about the care of historical archives. It has strategic plans to increase access and use of the many varied documents held as well as preserving them for future generations. 

 As part of our Archives for Everyone Strategic Plan, The National Archives is striving to be an Entrepreneurial Archive. To support that ambition, the role of the Business Development Team is to identify new income generating opportunities, evaluate them and turn them into viable projects. This spans the many and varied functions of The National Archives and looks outwards to form new partnerships and relationships, many of which have international focus. 

This role will work alongside and support the Head of Business Development in identifying, evaluating, and delivering new initiatives. It is focussed on the coordination, progression and delivery of commercial products and services to third-parties, blending the expertise of teams across the organisation into tangible deliverables that align with wider strategic objectives and generate appropriate levels of income and contribution.  

The role is not a sales-based role and will focus more on project delivery and on the coordination of work packages, although a commercial mindset and approach is required. Some of the work has an international focus and overseas travel is highly likely. The role will require some flexibility including travelling at weekends, and hosting of delegations at The National Archives on short notice. 

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. International travel is expected and may span weekends as well as trips of 5+ days in duration.

How to apply:

If you are an internal applicant: please do not use the link on this page. Please apply via your employee Workday account.

If you are an external applicant: to submit your application please click the 'Apply on website' 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 given 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.

Essential criteria:

• Significant experience of project management work and an understanding of governance, risk management and reporting processes
• Ability to communicate complex ideas and plans to a range of both internal and external stakeholders, including those of other nationalities where English may not be a first language
• A blend of good attention to detail, planning skills and organisation along with the ability to react, pivot and adjust based on changing circumstance
• Self-motivated with an ability to work under limited supervision and as part of a small team
• Confidence and experience to make operational decisions as required and also when to consult before agreeing outcomes
• Demonstrable creativity to identify opportunities and solutions within complex rulesets that align with corporate strategy while delivering meaningful outcomes
• Experience of partnership and cooperative working to shared goals and ambitions, playing a pivotal role in building and evolving both internal and external relationships
• Commercial experience in identifying and securing revenue streams, negotiation, framed within an understanding of how to calculate costs vs. income

Desirable criteria:

• An understanding of government policy around commercial activity and experience of public sector delivery
• An interest in history, archives, and the archive sector generally
• Interest and experience in global travel and different cultures and how to work successfully with them
• Experience of researching and working with original archival documents