Lead Archivist

(May 29, 2025)

Position Title - Lead Archivist

Supervisor Title (All entry and mid-level position supervisors should be qualified, professional archivists.)- Managing Director

Position Type - Full-time, term

Benefits - Yes

Salary Range -$76,000 - $85,000

The Winthrop Group is conducting a personnel search for a full-time Lead Archivist to work in the business archives of a Fortune 500 company. This is a 24-month contract with the potential for extension, subject to client requirements and other considerations. The Lead Archivist will be based onsite at the company’s headquarters in New York City, with some work at an offsite storage facility in New Jersey. For further details, please click the link to the official job posting on our website.

he Winthrop Group is conducting a personnel search for a full-time Lead Archivist to work in the business archives of a Fortune 500 company. This is a 24-month contract with the potential for extension, subject to client requirements and other considerations. The Lead Archivist will be based onsite at the company’s headquarters in New York City, with some work at an offsite storage facility in New Jersey. Employment is subject to a background screening and signing a non-disclosure agreement.

Position Summary

The Lead Archivist will be responsible for upgrading the operations and services of the Archives, implementing a prioritized workplan that aligns with organizational priorities, and managing the day-to-day operations of the Archives. Tasks will include archival processing, digitization management, fulfilling reference requests, and supporting special projects. The Lead Archivist will serve as the primary onsite contact for client stakeholders and will collaborate closely with other Winthrop colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

Initial Assessment and Planning

Meet with stakeholders to understand priorities, aspirations, and opportunities for the Archives

Evaluate inventories, processes, and work completed to date for potential improvements

Survey physical and digital collections to assess arrangement and description, identify processing/digitization priorities, preservation concerns, and collection strengths and weaknesses

Prepare recommendations and prioritized workplan in collaboration with Winthrop team

Upgrade Operations and Archival Services

Establish and/or revise workflows and other processes to expand access, use, and preservation

Develop Mission Statement, Access Policy, and Collecting Policy

Process archival materials and develop finding aids and other access tools

Respond to reference requests and conduct archival research

Promote heritage communications and outreach through content development, exhibits, tours, writing, and anniversary projects

Digital Archives & Digitization

Implement a new ACMS in coordination with Digital Archivist and selected vendor IT team

Expand access by improving metadata, discovery tools, and online resources

Manage digitization of high-priority materials by outsourced vendor

Develop and implement a process for transferring and processing born-digital assets to the Archives

Advise, as needed, on software needs for collection management, exhibits, digital asset management, and digital preservation

Collection Storage & Space Planning

Develop plan for onsite collections storage and workspace

Oversee onsite and offsite storage in collaboration with Facilities and offsite storage vendor

Coordinate transfer of records to/from offsite storage, as needed, with offsite vendor

Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

Act as primary liaison between the archives, client stakeholders, and Winthrop team

Meet on regular basis

Submit brief monthly status updates

Troubleshoot and resolve issues in coordination with Winthrop team and client liaison

Required Qualifications

MLS/MLIS with a concentration in archives or other graduate degree with Certificate in Archival Studies or ACA certification

Minimum of 5+ years of professional experience in archives

Minimum of 1 year in a supervisory or leadership role

Project management experience

Substantial archival processing experience

Demonstrated track record of implementing archival standards and best practices

Knowledge of preservation and conservation standards for archival collections

Capacity to manage time effectively in a dynamic, high-paced corporate setting while maintaining productivity and attention to detail

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with precision and clarity, both orally and in writing, and collaborate with multiple teams across a large organization

Unwavering commitment to privacy and confidentiality

Proven experience working independently and collaboratively with non-archivist stakeholders

Capacity to evaluate the effectiveness of archival services and adapt to changing user needs and/or priorities

Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and software for organizing, managing, and preserving archival collections

Ability to lift boxes weighing up to 40 pounds

Preferred Skills

Experience working in business archives or corporate setting

Experience managing or launching an archival program

Knowledge of and/or interest in the history of banking and financial services

Compensation & Benefits

Annual: $72,000 - $90,000 commensurate with experience. Includes strong benefits package (health, dental, and vision) and life insurance. All full-time Winthrop employees receive paid time off and annual funding and support for professional development.

Application Instructions

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and contact information for three references to careers@winthropgroup.com with the subject line “Lead Archivist – New York City”

About The Winthrop Group

Founded in 1982, The Winthrop Group provides professional archives and history services to nonprofits, businesses, foundations, museums, educational institutions, performing arts organizations, families, and individuals. We help our clients capture, organize, preserve, and learn from their pasts, creating valuable resources of knowledge and insight with a multitude of practical applications.

EEO Statement

Winthrop welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and experiences and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, or ability. Members of communities historically underrepresented in the archival profession are encouraged to apply.

https://winthropgroup.com/about/page/career-opportunities#lead-archivist-nyc