Library and Archives Manager

Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary and Community Organisations Limited; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 42,000 - GBP 47,000; Full time

Job summary

An esteemed museum organization in Edinburgh seeks a Library & Archives Manager to lead a team in managing and delivering library and archive services. The role requires a degree in Library and Information Science and experience in managing customer-focused services. Key responsibilities include developing library collections and ensuring resource access. The position offers a competitive salary of £42,765-£46,051, with numerous benefits including generous leave and pension contributions.

Benefits

28.5 days annual leave, rising to 33.5 after 5 years

Access to national and international museums

Employee Assistance Programme 24/7

Qualifications

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in Library and Information Science required.
• Experience of managing and developing a team is essential.
• Significant experience of managing acquisition budgets and contracts.

Responsibilities

• Plan, promote and deliver customer-facing library and Archives services.
• Develop, manage and catalogue the library collection.
• Effectively manage library and Archives collections.

Skills

Expertise in electronic and printed information resources

Management and development of customer-focused services

Budget management and negotiation

Organizational skills

Education

Degree or postgraduate qualification in Library and Information Science

Job description

Job Location

Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Location: Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Job Type: Permanent

Highlighted points for this job

35 hours per week

Based in Edinburgh at National Museums Scotland

Leading museum group with extensive collections

Supports research and learning for staff, visitors, and external researchers

Degree or postgraduate qualification in Library and Information Science required

Management and development of library and Archives services needed

Library & Archives Manager | Full time | 35 hours

Full Time Salary: £42,765-£46,051 (further pay award pending)

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: National Museums Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh

National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in Europe with one of the largest and most diverse collections in the world.

As an organisation our values are Creative, Inclusive, Collaborative and Forward-thinking.

Benefits of joining us as our Library & Archives Manager

• Annually alongside your salary, National Museums Scotland contributes 28.97% of this towards your membership in the Civil Service Pension Scheme
• A generous annual leave of 28.5 days – rising to 33.5 after 5 years, plus an additional 8 paid days public holidays.
• Free access to national (and international) museums and exhibitions
• A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
• Access to all the above and more from day one of employment.

About the Library & Archives Manager role

With the largest museum library collection in Scotland, our library and Archives team supports the research and learning needs of Museum staff, visitors, and the external research community with two publicly accessible library spaces - the Research Library in the National Museum of Scotland (our main reading room) and the National War Museum Library. Reporting to the Head of Collections Services, the new post holder will lead the Library & Archives team in the effective management, development, and delivery of library and Archives services to Museum staff and visitors, and online enquirers.

The Library & Archives Manager will

• Plan, promote and deliver customer-facing library and Archives services for National Museums Scotland, to meet the needs of target audiences.
• Develop, manage and catalogue the library collection, including special collections and Archives, implementing strategies to ensure research, business, and public engagement goals are met as appropriate.
• Effectively manage library and Archives collections and storage spaces to ensure most effective use of, and access to, resources.
• Be responsible for the development and management of National Museums Scotland’s Research Repository working collaboratively with external and internal stakeholders to develop and increase access to the Repository as appropriate.

Skills and experience we’re looking for

• A degree and / or postgraduate qualification in Library and Information Science, or equivalent
• High level of expertise in the use of electronic and printed information resources, tools and searching methodologies, including Open Access
• Experience of managing and developing a team, including through change
• Experience of managing and developing customer-focused library and Archives services
• Significant experience of managing acquisition budgets, and negotiating and delivering best value contracts with suppliers
• Significant experience of ensuring the delivery of electronic information resources, including the Research Repository

Please be sure to view relevant attachments for this role (available on our Careers Portal: careers.nms.ac.uk) for full details of the position.

The closing date for this role is 16/02/2026. The Selection Event is likely to take place 09/03/2026.