Records manager

Records manager job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Typically records managers are responsible for:

• establishing new records management systems
• developing, maintaining, verifying and evaluating existing systems
• managing staff
• providing advice
• writing reports and publications
• administering records management programmes
• dealing with enquiries and requests for information from both internal and external clients
• ensuring compliance with applicable fiscal, legal or administrative requirements such as ISO9000 certification
• classifying and indexing records
• destroying or archiving finished data/records
• ensuring that records are easily accessible when needed
• providing training to staff that have responsibility for managing records.

Typical employers of records managers

• financial organisations
• IT companies
• management consultancy firms
• utility companies
• software houses
• universities
• hospitals
• local authorities
• pharmaceutical companies
• central government
• charities.

Any organisation that handles large amounts of information may require the skills of a records manager. Opportunities for freelance/consultancy work exist with many employers - particularly for candidates possessing several years of relevant experience.

Vacancies are advertised online, by careers services and specialist recruitment agencies, in local/national newspapers, The Times Educational Supplement and in publications such as Records Management Bulletin, Update, Records Management Journal and Records Management Newsletter.

Qualifications and training required

A degree in archive studies, information science, records management, information management, librarianship or museum studies are usually required for entry into the profession. Specialist knowledge and/or a postgraduate qualification may be needed for some vacancies. At least one year of relevant experience is also often necessary - some employers may offer paid work experience opportunities.

Key skills for records managers

• patience
• meticulousness
• capable of prioritising
• good problem solving skills
• analytical skills
• administrative skills
• organisational skills
• communication skills
• interpersonal skills.

Familiarity with computer operating systems, the internet and database technology (design, software and structure) are essential.