Born Digital Collections Officer – 12-Month FTC

Be part of the vision; be part of RIBA.

RIBA is a global professional membership body, and a cultural organisation, driving excellence in architecture.

Salary: c£32,000 per annum depending on location and experience

Location: London/Hybrid working

Hours: 35 hours per week, full-time, 12 month fixed-term contract, ending January 2027

About The Role

The RIBA Collections is RIBA’s four-million-strong collection of architectural drawings, photographs, manuscripts, books, models and associated artefacts. It is one of the very oldest, largest and richest collections of its kind anywhere in the world. The collections are a world-class research resource and are at the heart of RIBA’s exhibition and learning programmes.

We are seeking to appoint a Born Digital Collections Officer as part of the Library and Collections Systems team based at the RIBA Collections Store in Fulham, London with some hybrid working. The Library and Collections Systems team is responsible for the data and systems for the RIBA Library and Collections. This is an opportunity to join an organisation with ambitious plans under the House of Architecture programme, click for more information.

This role primarily supports a RIBA collections project to assess, and migrate at-risk digital collections stored on obsolete removable media (USB drives, CDs/DVDs, hard drives, floppy disks, tapes) into RIBA's preservation storage. It will also assist the digitisation of vulnerable collections, and migration of the associated digital surrogates into appropriate systems.

What are we looking for?

Essential

• Degree in library science, Archival Studies or related field or equivalent experience.
• Strong experience working with born digital collections in an archive/museum/library environment.
• Experience working with DAMs systems or Digital Preservation Systems
• A strong knowledge of digital metadata standards (Dublin Core, METS, MODS PREMIS)
• A strong knowledge of museum and archive metadata standards and metadata schema including Spectrum, ISAD (G).
  
  

Desirable

• Experience of working with Collections Management Systems [CMS] or other data management systems. Experience with Axiell Collections would be preferable.
• Accuracy and attention to detail when dealing with records and data management.
• Experience working with Audiovisual Collections is desirable.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and self-manage workloads, demonstrating attention to detail and accuracy while effectively collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders.
  
  

Why Join us?

Our Benefits

RIBA offer an amazing employee benefits package which includes (a) a generous pension scheme with employer contributions (up to 12%), (b) life assurance, (c) annual leave of 27 days plus bank holidays and paid closure of 3 discretionary days between Christmas and New Year. For more details on our benefits click here.

If you would like to apply for the position, please view the full job description below (found at 'supporting documents') and submit your CV and covering letter using the form below. Please note that applications without a covering letter will not be considered and for this position, “Work Examples” are not required. Additionally, please ensure that you complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form which will be submitted separate from your application.

Closing date: Sunday 7th December 2025

Interview date: Tuesday 16th December 2025

Due to high volumes of applications, we are unable to respond to everyone, however, should you be shortlisted for interview we will be in touch. We may also close an advert earlier than the date above if we receive enough quality applications.

Please note that you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. We are unable to proceed with any candidates who cannot show the relevant documentation so please only apply if you meet these criteria. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

RIBA aims to be an inclusive employer, committed to building an authentic and diverse environment where all are encouraged to be themselves. We champion work/life balance and welcome requests for flexible working across our organisation. We value applications from all sections of society and appreciate divergent experience, therefore if you are excited about the role and working with us, yet your experience may not align perfectly with every single skill or competency, we encourage you to apply anyway.

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