The Winthrop Group
LEAD ARCHIVIST – New York, NY
The Winthrop Group is conducting a personnel search for a full-time Lead Archivist to work in the business archives of a Fortune 500 company. This is a 24-month contract with the potential for extension, subject to client requirements and other considerations. The Lead Archivist will be based onsite at the company’s headquarters in New York City, with some work at an offsite storage facility in New Jersey. Employment is subject to a background screening and signing a non-disclosure agreement.
Position Summary
The Lead Archivist will be responsible for upgrading the operations and services of the Archives, implementing a prioritized workplan that aligns with organizational priorities, and managing the day-to-day operations of the Archives. Tasks will include archival processing, digitization management, fulfilling reference requests, and supporting special projects. The Lead Archivist will serve as the primary onsite contact for client stakeholders and will collaborate closely with other Winthrop colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
Initial Assessment and Planning
Meet with stakeholders to understand priorities, aspirations, and opportunities for the Archives
Evaluate inventories, processes, and work completed to date for potential improvements
Survey physical and digital collections to assess arrangement and description, identify processing/digitization priorities, preservation concerns, and collection strengths and weaknesses
Prepare recommendations and prioritized workplan in collaboration with Winthrop team
Upgrade Operations and Archival Services
Establish and/or revise workflows and other processes to expand access, use, and preservation
Develop Mission Statement, Access Policy, and Collecting Policy
Process archival materials and develop finding aids and other access tools
Respond to reference requests and conduct archival research
Promote heritage communications and outreach through content development, exhibits, tours, writing, and anniversary projects
Digital Archives & Digitization
Implement a new ACMS in coordination with Digital Archivist and selected vendor IT team
Expand access by improving metadata, discovery tools, and online resources
Manage digitization of high-priority materials by outsourced vendor
Develop and implement a process for transferring and processing born-digital assets to the Archives
Advise, as needed, on software needs for collection management, exhibits, digital asset management, and digital preservation
Collection Storage & Space Planning
Develop plan for onsite collections storage and workspace
Oversee onsite and offsite storage in collaboration with Facilities and offsite storage vendor
Coordinate transfer of records to/from offsite storage, as needed, with offsite vendor
Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
Act as primary liaison between the archives, client stakeholders, and Winthrop team
Meet on regular basis
Submit brief monthly status updates
Troubleshoot and resolve issues in coordination with Winthrop team and client liaison
Required Qualifications
MLS/MLIS with a concentration in archives or other graduate degree with Certificate in Archival Studies or ACA certification
Minimum of 5+ years of professional experience in archives
Minimum of 1 year in a supervisory or leadership role
Project management experience
Substantial archival processing experience
Demonstrated track record of implementing archival standards and best practices
Knowledge of preservation and conservation standards for archival collections
Capacity to manage time effectively in a dynamic, high-paced corporate setting while maintaining productivity and attention to detail
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with precision and clarity, both orally and in writing, and collaborate with multiple teams across a large organization
Unwavering commitment to privacy and confidentiality
Proven experience working independently and collaboratively with non-archivist stakeholders
Capacity to evaluate the effectiveness of archival services and adapt to changing user needs and/or priorities
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and software for organizing, managing, and preserving archival collections
Ability to lift boxes weighing up to 40 pounds
Preferred Skills
Experience working in business archives or corporate setting
Experience managing or launching an archival program
Knowledge of and/or interest in the history of banking and financial services
Compensation & Benefits
Annual: $72,000 - $90,000 commensurate with experience. Includes strong benefits package (health, dental, and vision) and life insurance. All full-time Winthrop employees receive paid time off and annual funding and support for professional development.
Application Instructions
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and contact information for three references to careers@winthropgroup.com with the subject line “Lead Archivist – New York City”
About The Winthrop Group
Founded in 1982, The Winthrop Group provides professional archives and history services to nonprofits, businesses, foundations, museums, educational institutions, performing arts organizations, families, and individuals. We help our clients capture, organize, preserve, and learn from their pasts, creating valuable resources of knowledge and insight with a multitude of practical applications.
EEO Statement
Winthrop welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and experiences and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, or ability. Members of communities historically underrepresented in the archival profession are encouraged to apply.
https://winthropgroup.com/about/page/career-opportunities#lead-archivist-nyc