Organisation: The National Archives

Role: Finance Director

Location: Kew, London (Hybrid working – 60% onsite)

Salary Band: SCS1

Preserve the past. Lead the future.

The National Archives is home to 1,000 years of our nation’s histories, from Domesday to Downing Street tweets, our vast collection of archival treasures is as varied as it is inspiring.

Our mission is to collect and preserve the public record, to connect citizens with their history through unrivalled collections and to partner with archives everywhere. In 2038 we will celebrate the bicentenary of the founding of the Public Record Office, and our 2038 vision is for The National Archives to be the living digital archive of the state.

Over the past year, we have completed a review of our strategy and as part of the Government’s spending review we have a funding settlement that will enable us to move forward with our ambitious plans for the future.

With a highly motivated and engaged staff of around 600 based in a beautiful setting in Kew, The National Archives is a surprising and inspirational mixture of talents, from our world-leading experts in history, digital technology, and conservation to our impressive operational teams delivering public services and providing leadership for the archive sector.

Together, our journey of change and development is now well underway to ensure we are positioned to deliver the strategy while addressing new and different demands in a fast-moving age.  

We’re now seeking a Finance Director to join our Executive Team and help us navigate an exciting and critical period in our development.

Your Impact

In this influential role, you’ll provide strategic leadership to our Finance, Performance, and Risk functions. You’ll work with the CEO and executive colleagues to ensure that our finances are not just compliant, but insightful and future-focused. This is your opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of a national institution, balancing strong financial stewardship with bold ambition.

You’ll be responsible for developing the skills and capacity of your directorate, aligning resources with our transformation programmes, and ensuring that risk, performance and compliance are fully embedded across the organisation.

What You’ll Bring

• You’re a qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with a track record of leading finance teams in multilayered organisations.
• Strategic financial insight paired with hands-on leadership to drive sustainable performance and transformation.
• A collaborative, influential leadership style that inspires confidence at Board level and beyond.
• The ability to excel in challenging environments, leading effectively through ambiguity, uncertainty and change.
• Public sector experience, or a strong understanding of the responsibilities and context that come with leading and working in a publicly funded and accountable organisation.

Why Join Us?

This isn’t just another finance role, it’s a rare opportunity to shape the future of a government department that is also one of the UK’s most respected cultural and knowledge institutions. At The National Archives, financial leadership isn’t behind the scenes; it’s at the heart of how we preserve the past, serve the present, and build for the future.

You’ll be part of a skilled and committed team, working in a flexible, hybrid environment where your decisions have real and lasting impact. This is a role where your insight and leadership will help steer a nationally significant organisation through change and opportunity.

Ready to shape history?

This is your chance to lead finance at the heart of The National Archives, driving decisions that preserve our past and build a legacy for the future as we become the living digital archive of the state.

How to Apply

For more information and how to apply, please visit our microsite https://micro.green-park.co.uk/nationalarchives or contact Rebecca Hopkinson or Emma Law on rebecca.hopkinson@green-park.co.uk or emma.law@green-park.co.uk.

Deadline for applications: 23:59 Sunday 7th September 2025