Head of Digitisation

Job title: Head of Digitisation

Department: Digitisation Centre, Library Services

Contract Type: Permanent

Grade: 8

Salary: £51,248.57 - £60,268.57 per anum inclusive of London Allowance

Location: Bloomsbury, London

Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week

SOAS University of London is the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East.  SOAS University of London is positioned to play a leading role in reimagining higher education globally, with a new strategic plan in place as the basis for the renewal and revitalisation of the School which commits SOAS to both student responsiveness and research intensity. SOAS is moving towards a new model of international partnerships which is responsive to the transnational character of our global challenges.

About the Role:

The Head of Digitisation will lead the Digitisation team, delivering the Library’s ambitious digitisation programme and managing the SOAS Digital Library. The role holder will ensure that SOAS Library provides its internal and external users with a digital library service, providing access to the Library’s digitised collections. Through collaboration with the Library’s collection managers and with the SOAS academy, Research and Advancement teams, the role holder will develop and deliver digitisation programmes drawing on the Library’s collections, including developing innovative digital solutions for delivering content and engaging with and supporting SOAS’ users. This will include developing and contributing to fundraising proposals, liaising with external stakeholders, and engaging with commercial vendors. The role holder will support the research use of SOAS’ collections by providing a reprographics service to users and play a crucial role in managing various projects within the library, specifically focusing on the digitisation of materials.

You can find further information on the key criteria for the role in the Job Description and Person Specification, along with a full list of duties and responsibilities, which can be found on the SOAS website.

About the Department:

Collections Care & Digitisation (CCD) is a unit within the SOAS Library and is closely allied with Special Collections but also serves general collections. This unit is responsible for conservation and digitisation of library and gallery collections.  

CCD was preceded by a Digitisation unit in existence since 2013 that grew from funded digitisation projects. Addition of conservation in 2022 was intended to create a seamless core for care of physical collections and their digital transformations.

You can find further information on the key criteria for the role in the Job Description and Person Specification, along with a full list of duties and responsibilities, which can be found on the SOAS website.

What we offer:

• 44 Days holiday (including 30 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 5 closure days 4 at Christmas and 1 at Easter)
• Flexible working option
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme, free eye tests and season ticket loan
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and partner leave.
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted gym membership Please visit https://www.soas.ac.uk/why-work-us to find out more.

How to Apply: 

Please complete the online application form and upload your CV and a supporting statement.

Closing date: 16 March 2025                 

Interviews to be held: 31 March 2025

Further information

If you have any questions or require any assistance with regard to the application process, please contact us via the HR Contact Form | SOAS

'Successful candidates will need to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK or have limited leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with SOAS, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006'.

For information on how and why SOAS processes personal data about its job applicants, please read our Job Applicant Notice.

We are not able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates from working class, first generation Higher Education, Black, Asian, other minority ethnic and underrepresented groups from within the UK and beyond. All appointment decisions will be made on merit, following a fair and competitive process.