Graduate Archivist - Pentland Group £27,000 (12 month contract)
The Pentland Group is one of the UK’s largest private companies with a history dating back to the 1930’s. Founded by the current chairman’s parents, Pentland remains an entrepreneurially led, wholly owned family business which today has a community of over 1,300 team members worldwide. The Group has 3 divisions:
Investments – Pentland Capital oversees the Groups global investment activities through private equity and fund management
Brand Management – Pentland Brands is the owner and licensee of many iconic sports, footwear and fashion brands including Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury of New Zealand and Endura
Retail – Pentland Group is the the majority owner of the FTSE100 listed retail group, JD Sports Fashion plc.
This long-standing ownership, breadth of activity and brand portfolio has generated a significant body of historical material relating to the Group, its businesses and its products.
That history is held across a wide range of physical locations throughout the UK. It includes records, products, samples and brand assets that reflect the Group’s development over time and continue to inform current and future work. Much of this material is offline and not easily accessible. Organising, caring for and digitising the archive supports access to brand heritage, enables accurate and relevant storytelling, and ensures that assets and samples can be located, referenced and reused to support ongoing business activity.
Graduate Archivist | London | (Permanent, full time)
The role
As Graduate Archivist, you will support the management, care and accessibility of the Pentland Archive. Working closely with the Corporate Digital Archivist, the role provides hands on experience across corporate and fashion archives, including collections management, cataloguing, digitisation and digital records systems.
This is an entry level archive role within a live business environment, offering practical experience with company records, brand assets and fashion heritage.
Key responsibilities
Support the day to day management of the Pentland Archive, including collections care, displays and archive databases
Assist with archive cataloguing and the preparation of documents and objects for digitisation
Use records databases and archive website platforms, supporting digital archive and information management activity
Take responsibility for defined archive tasks or small projects, working independently where appropriate
Manage multiple pieces of work at the same time, collaborating with colleagues across the Group
Support the archive loan process, including preparing items, managing incoming loans and completing checks and documentation
Build knowledge of corporate archives, fashion archives and general archive management practice through hands on experience
About you
Interest in archive work, collections management and organisational or brand history
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage time effectively and track progress
Clear communication skills, both written and verbal
Basic awareness of archive storage standards and preservation, with an interest in developing this knowledge
Confidence using digital tools such as Excel, SharePoint and document management systems
Self-motivated approach, with the ability to take initiative and work independently
The Offer
Salary & Discretionary Bonus
12 month contract (£27,000 per annum)
25 Days Holiday (increasing with service, plus the option to buy additional days)
Brand Discounts (including JD Sports and friends & family deals) plus access to sample sales
Family-Friendly Benefits: Generous parental leave policies
Health Perks: Choose from medical cash plans, critical illness cover, life assurance, gym discounts, dental and eye care, and health screening
Travel Perks: Access season ticket loans, cycle-to-work schemes, electric car schemes, and home charging unit discounts
Flexible Working: Hybrid working and flexible hours to help with commute costs or personal commitments
Inclusive Culture: We are committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive environment across all areas of our business
If you are at the start of your archive career and are interested in working with corporate and fashion heritage in a live business environment, we warmly welcome your application. Please send your application to Esther.Mann@pentland.com