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: £33,000 per annum Contract type: Permanent Band: E / Higher Executive Officer Closing date: Sunday 30th March 2025 at midnight An exciting opportunity has arisen to develop your professional skills and career in one of the most fascinating, dynamic and intellectually stimulating organisations in the cultural sector. Working across the Governance and Private Office teams in the Chief Executive and Keeper’s Office, the Governance Coordinator delivers a range of activities that support The National Archives’ corporate functions and the Keeper’s statutory responsibilities. In this role you will work closely with members of The National Archives’ Board, Executive Team and Senior Leadership Team to help ensure that our corporate decision-making is robust and properly-informed. You will contribute to the work of the Private Office team that supports the Chief Executive and manages our relationship with DCMS. About you: With a track record of organising and supporting senior-level meetings and building strong trust-based relationships in a complex public body or similar organisation, you will have good influencing, persuasion and engagement skills to make a positive corporate contribution. You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience of working in a corporate governance/secretariat role and an interest in politics would be an advantage. Join us in beautiful Kew for an opportunity to make a real difference to the nation’s archival heritage. In return you’ll receive a great Civil Service benefits package that includes pension, access to sports facilities and opportunities for training and development. 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. How to apply: To submit your application please click the 'Apply' 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 statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria 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. Job Description Governance Support the Head of Governance to deliver good corporate governance in line with best practice Plan, coordinate, prepare and publish agendas and ensure the smooth running of meetings of The National Archives’ Executive Team, Board and other key advisory or decision-making bodies, as required Guide and support colleagues by providing advice on the timing and content to bring items successfully to corporate meetings Commission, progress check and quality assure papers for meetings Produce accurate and concise minutes and track and follow up on actions to ensure effective implementation Assist the Advisory Council Secretary to deliver excellent secretariat support to the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives and its subcommittee the Forum on Historical Manuscripts and Academic Research Provide dedicated secretariat support to the Manorial & Tithe Documents Panel, including reporting and accountability to the Forum and membership matters Maintain the corporate governance records and assist with the annual process for transferring the records of the Advisory Council as per the requirements set out in the Public Records Act and Freedom of Information Act Administer the process for expenses and remuneration for The National Archives’ non-executive board members and assist, as required, with arrangements for members of the Advisory Council and Forum Maintain and update the governance pages of the website and ensure documents published meet accessibility requirements Support the Head of Governance for the DCMS-led public bodies review of The National Archives, including building relationships with DCMS officials, collating data internally and presenting it in a helpful manner to agreed deadlines Undertake relevant project work as directed by the Head of Governance Private Office Coordinate corporate returns – to ensure accurate data is collated, cleared at the appropriate level and returned on time. Deal with correspondence as required, ensuring the appropriate level of clearance and responding on time. Support the Government Relations Manager with ministerial and parliamentary business, advising the Keeper, Directors and colleagues across The National Archives, as required Support the Briefing and Engagement Manager by researching and drafting briefing material, supporting the Keepers’ or Ministerial external visits as required CEO’s Office Support the Chief Executive & Keeper’s diary (in the absence of their Personal Assistant) Support VIP visits to The National Archives and internal events as required (in collaboration with the Strategic Relations Coordinator and other colleagues) Undertake other corporate/departmental business and administrative activity as required, including for colleagues in the CEO’s Office’s ‘sister’ Policy team Working Conditions Normal office environment Display Screen Equipment user Person Specification Essential: A proven ability to plan, run and document senior-level meetings. Strong administrative and organisational abilities, including accurate record keeping. Excellent written and verbal communication skills coupled with good influencing, persuasion and engagement skills. A track record of building strong trust-based relationships across the business and with stakeholders at all levels, demonstrating diplomacy, tact and understanding of others’ priorities to achieve common goals. Good analysis, problem solving and planning/project management skills, allied with good IT skills. A good understanding of The National Archives’ duty as a public body and its key relationships, allied with an ability to exercise political sensitivity and discretion. Proven ability to use own initiative, work with minimal supervision and meet deadlines. A team player able to work flexibly across a range of projects as required. Desirable: Prior experience in a corporate governance role An understanding of and interest in politics 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 careersnationalarchives.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: careersnationalarchives.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: careersnationalarchives.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)