Freelance Archive Assistant

Freelance Archive Assistant

Rambert Closing date: Fri, 09 Oct 2026

Artform: Dance
Role: Curation
Contract: Temporary
London

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 "> published -

Job Summary

Rambert is seeking a Freelance Archive Assistant to provide specialist archive support four days a week, over a two-year period, £230 per day, 9:30am - 6pm. Working with the Head of Archive and wider project team, the successful freelancer will help prepare collections for digital access

Job Description

Collections and cataloguing
Preparing priority archive material for digitisation, online access and publication
Enhancing catalogue records and improving the quality, consistency and accessibility of archive metadata
Undertaking collections research and documentation
Maintaining accurate records of collections work undertaken
Rights, permissions and consent
Researching and recording copyright, intellectual property, permissions and other rights information
Identifying and recording rights holders
Supporting consent documentation, rights audits and associated record keeping
Ensuring relevant rights and permissions information is accurately documented alongside archive and digital material
Digital Archive
Preparing archive material and associated information for ingest into Rambert's Digital Archive
Checking, organising and documenting digital files
Supporting digital preservation and ingest workflows
Contributing to quality assurance of catalogue information and digital heritage assets
Supporting the development of digital exhibitions and other forms of online interpretation
Oral history
Supporting oral history workflows, including file preparation, documentation and metadata
Supporting the management of accompanying consent and permissions information
Helping ensure oral history material is consistently documented and prepared for preservation and access
Volunteers and participation
Contributing to the coordination, induction and support of archive volunteers and participants
Supporting collaborative cataloguing, research and interpretation activity
Helping create meaningful opportunities for people to engage with and contribute to Rambert's archive
Project documentation and reporting
Maintaining accurate project documentation, statistics and audit trails
Contributing evidence to project evaluation and National Lottery Heritage Fund reporting

Job Requirements

Experience of working with archives, museum collections, libraries or other heritage material
Experience of archive cataloguing, documentation or metadata creation
An understanding of archive cataloguing standards and good metadata practice
An understanding of copyright, rights management and consent, particularly in relation to audiovisual and digital material
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
Confidence working with digital files and structured information
The ability to maintain accurate records and documentation
Experience of supporting volunteers, participants or collaborative heritage activity
The ability to manage their own workload and deliver agreed activity to deadline
The ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, project partners and participants
A demonstrable commitment to inclusive practice and widening access to heritage.

Job Responsibilities

Across the commission, the Freelance Archive Assistant will contribute to:
Increased public access to Rambert's collections through the new Digital Archive
Improved and enriched archive catalogue information
Improved documentation of copyright, permissions and consent
Well managed and accessible oral history material
Consistent preparation, documentation and management of digital heritage assets
The creation of digital exhibitions and interpretative content
Meaningful opportunities for volunteers and participants to contribute to the Archive
Robust project records, statistics and evidence to support evaluation and National Lottery Heritage Fund reporting
Specific quantitative targets and deliverables will be agreed and reviewed as the project develops.

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Freelance Archive Assistant
  • Salary: £40k-£50k
  • Hours: Full time
  • Artform: Dance
  • Role: Curation
  • Contract: Temporary
  • Closing date: Fri, 09 Oct 2026
  • Location:
    London
    | view on Google Maps

Job: Freelance Archive Assistant

Job: Freelance Archive Assistant

Organisation: Rambert

Postcode: SE1 9PP

How to Apply

Send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] by 12 noon on 09 October 2026