Building Drawing Inventory Officer

The British Museum is seeking a Building Drawing Inventory Officer to play a key role in cataloging approximately 12,000 hard-copy building drawings and schematics. You will be responsible for creating a comprehensive and reliable inventory of the Museum’s legacy building and services drawings, helping to ensure accurate information is available to support major projects and day-to-day operations. This role involves working with the original documentation, quickly and precisely capturing the information on the document, and making an assessment of its relevance. Documentation includes various types of building and electrical schematics, as well as structural engineering drawings. Being able to accurately read and process these will be vital for you to be successful in this role. This is a focused, project-based role supporting the Museum’s Building Information Management (BIM) strategy to improve how building data and records are managed and accessed as part of a major programme of estate renewal and capital investment. This is an exciting role where you will be able to see how the British Museum’s buildings have evolved and changed, especially its New Wing from its design phase in 1973.

Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent qualification/experience. Able to review, document and structure building related data from numerous sources ensuring accuracy. Experience of document, file or inventory management systems as well as creating and populating searchable data sets. Ideally you will have experience working with archives or records containing building or services information with knowledge of construction environments. Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet agreed deadlines. Have a strategic approach and able to communicate with and guide colleagues working in the Museum’s archives, Estates and Capital Projects department, senior management, and other colleagues as required.

Maintain and improve a clear methodology for inventorying legacy building and services drawings, including milestones and priorities. Work with Museum archivists and stakeholders to catalogue hard-copy drawings, recording agreed metadata such as date, revision, discipline, location and status. Create and maintain a structured register in which each drawing is uniquely identified. Support decisions on retention, disposal and digitisation priorities based on use, relevance and currency of information. Prepare high-quality work packages to support the digitisation of selected drawings. Liaise with stakeholders to confirm future storage and access arrangements for retained hard-copy and digital records. Support the population of the Museum’s Common Data Environment with relevant legacy information. Make building information available to support capital projects and operational teams as required.

The British Museum offers a comprehensive benefits package including free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access, 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years), peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community, learning and development opportunities, Employee Assistance Programme, Civil Service Pension Scheme, and interest-free loans for season tickets, rental deposits, and bicycles.