Job Introduction
About Us
Oxfordshire History Centre holds the historic records of Oxfordshire dating from 1150 to the present day, including archival and local studies collections. The service manages Heritage Search, our online catalogue of Heritage resources, making over 1 million digital records available worldwide.
Oxfordshire County Council are seeking to appoint to three key roles at Oxfordshire History Centre on a permanent basis, following two retirements, and a subsequent review of History Service staffing. This is an exciting time to join the service, as we develop a new management team and staffing structure, and enhance access to our collections and services.
About the Role
The Oxfordshire History Centre is a busy customer-focused environment and a complex building to manage. This role will lead our day-to-day operations as well as overseeing the maintenance of the building. You will ensure that excellent customer service is delivered both in person and remotely. You will have responsibility for maintaining the Emergency and Business Continuity Plans and liaising with OCC Facilities Management and contractors. The post reports to the History Service Manager who has overall responsibility for the service. This role will form part of a new management team and is integral to the management of our collections. This post will work with a range of colleagues within and beyond the Heritage Service, volunteers, and the public.
About you
You will have experience of delivering excellent customer services, ideally within a Heritage environment. You will be able to demonstrate experience of working with the public and responding to their needs. You will have experience of managing a complex site, including knowledge of health and safety procedures and standards. Additionally, you will have knowledge and experience of financial planning and operational procedures. The ideal candidate should be able to work well under pressure, reacting to the service’s daily requirements both as an individual and part of a team. You will also be able to demonstrate an effective track record of managing and leading people. Knowledge of collections software and archival or library procedures would be an advantage.
Interview date: Wednesday 21 May 2025
Rewards and benefits
We offer a comprehensive induction, supportive work-life balance including agile working, flexible working and tangible wellbeing initiatives, plus regular supervision and support available whenever you need it.
- Culture of flexible working
- Technology to support agile working where role permits
- 30 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays
- Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
- Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
- Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.
Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.
Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.
Our commitment to:
Safeguarding
Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.
Our commitment to:
Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk
