Archive Assistant

Archive Assistant (part-time, 12-month FTC)

We are looking for a highly organised and systematic Archive Assistant with working knowledge of wallpaper and textile styles (1800 -2021) to support a major documentation project. Here at Sanderson Design Group, we create styles that celebrate a passion for colour, texture, craftmanship and innovative design. We are a global leader in interior design, and we’re proud to manufacture, market and distribute our brands around the world.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Sanderson Design Group archive. Our unique and extensive archive is the jewel in our crown, a source of superior differentiation and competitive advantage containing over 150, 000 original samples of wallpapers, fabrics and other artefacts. These provide a rich source of inspiration for our designers.

Responsibilities

• Collaborating closely with the archive team to document, pack and rehouse a variety of objects (this is a hands-on role, requiring practical handling skills)
• Working flexibly to pre-agreed deadlines to compile a descriptive box level inventory in our Modes collections management system
• Keeping up-to-date records of ongoing progress for monitoring purposes
• Liaising with external suppliers and stakeholders to organise digitisation and weekly box transfers
• Sorting, labelling and re-packaging boxes where necessary, in addition to documenting them for the inventory
• Assisting with the tracking and monitoring of boxes being relocated from the warehouse and distribution centre in Milton Keynes to our storage facility
• Recognising and flagging materials that require conservation
• Assessing the risks and always working in a safe manner, implementing health and safety rules, instructions and systems
• Support the business by working closely with various departments (Design Studio, Marketing, PR, Commercial & Customer Service)
• Facilitating archive visits, providing tours and co-ordinating in-house events

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

• Relevant historical knowledge (textiles / wallpaper) and demonstrable collections management experience in a professional museum / archive environment
• Experience working unsupervised with fragile paper collections, assessing, handling and packing decorative arts objects
• Understanding of the key information required to create an accurate box level entry in Modes or similar Collections Management software
• Self-motivated with the ability to focus and drive to meet deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail with a creative approach to problem-solving
• Knowledge of the industry would be beneficial
• A full, penalty-free driving license is needed for the role

About us

Sanderson Design Group is an international luxury interior furnishings company that designs, manufactures and markets wallpapers and fabrics together with a wide range of ancillary interior products.

In 2020, we brought our portfolio of brands home to Sanderson Design Group, evoking the combined longevity and prodigious creative history of our brands. Sanderson Design Group describes the ebullience of our past endeavours. It sketches the outline of our future. A collective of 7 quintessentially British luxury interior brands and 2 manufacturing brands, at Sanderson Design Group we are Sanderson, Archive, Morris & Co., Zoffany, Harlequin, Clarke & Clarke, Scion, Anstey Wallpaper Company and Standfast & Barracks.

Our purpose is "To bring the Beautiful into People’s Homes and Lives". This has defined and shaped our brands since our very earliest days. The oldest brand in our arsenal, from where we derive the namesake of our group, begun life in 1860, as an importer of fine French wallpapers to London. Arthur Sanderson & Sons Ltd played a pivotal role in defining English interior decoration tastes and its early success led to displaying designs at London’s finest showroom, at Berners Street. Around this time in 1924, Arthur Sanderson & Sons Ltd were awarded The Royal Warrant, becoming “purveyors of wallpaper and paint” to the court of George V.

We recognise that each one of our brands contributes a unique chapter to our story. It is why we represent the full spectrum of British interior design, catering from cutting-edge sleek modern styles, to the hearty warmth of traditional forms. Our decision to rebrand as Sanderson Design Group in 2020 is our way of paying homage to our rich history, as well as marking our path towards a new future. As custodians of over 160 years of design experience, we are proud to Bring the Beautiful into People’s Homes and Lives. We are Sanderson Design Group.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Part-time hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Life insurance
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Uxbridge: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• What are your salary expectations?

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: One location