Historic Environment Scotland
Collections Systems Manager
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Starting salary: £43,227
Contract type: Permanent
Grade: 4
Location: Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH (with hybrid working and site work)
Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week
Interviews: To be held on 12 November 2026
About the Role
The Collections Systems Manager is responsible for the management of HES’s Collections Management System Vernon and will be the main point of contact for users of the system. You will be responsible for developing and managing related workflows, standards and training programmes, and may also manage associated documentation and audit projects. This post has both direct line management and intra-department matrix management responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
- You will manage and develop the CMS (Vernon), ensuring data is managed securely and in line with industry standards, and promoting and facilitating digital ways of working and more efficient workflows for staff.
- You will scope, test and implement system updates as well as liaising with Vernon Systems (the provider of the CMS) and internal IT colleagues to ensure any CMS issues are satisfactorily and efficiently resolved.
- You will work with specialist technical colleagues and external contractors to ensure that data from the CMS is pulled through correctly to the publicly accessible web catalogue (trove.scot) and internal web catalogue (the Vernon browser). You will work with colleagues to improve public access to the collections and promote and facilitate research access.
- You will be responsible for the development of the CMS within HES and the implementation of any additional functionality within the system, focussing on deliverables set out in the 5-year departmental strategy. You will propose and seek approval for developments, identifying and managing related risks.
- You will train users, provide support and answer questions relating to database functions and capabilities to users and key stakeholders across HES.
- You will represent the Collections & Applied Conservation Department on relevant internal and external groups, and will need to champion both the Department and collections internally and externally with stakeholders and other institutions and organisations within the sector and beyond.
- You will work collaboratively to ensure the integrity of the data within Vernon, ensuring accuracy, correctness and validity and the security of the database by implementing access controls to the data, managing the user security functions within Vernon and training and supporting users.
- You will ensure the CMS database is managed and informed by the relevant standards supporting collections management activity both within HES and industry standards e.g. SPECTRUM.
- You will work with the Collections Registrar to develop system processes and workflows for collections management activities including acquisition, disposal and audit.
- The post has line management responsibilities, and experience of people management is required. You will have regular 1:1 meetings, agree and manage workloads, conduct appraisals and promote staff wellbeing. Experience of managing teams and supporting trainees and volunteers is desirable.
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Key Requirements
In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to submit a cover letter which addresses how you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 1,200 words), using examples of where you have demonstrated these criteria previously. Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance [https://hescot.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/RecruitmentDocs/EThd0zcIhGJHrCLEaTwY6sEB6oF3nP4urpJXoG2zLPkISA?e=2MLv2a] first before completing, as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.
Essential:
- Substantial relevant experience in administrating Collections Management Systems including: managing user access and security functions, managing system upgrades and implementing new features, managing workflows around accurate data entry and retrieval, dealing with system issues and support requests.
- Substantial relevant experience in collections information management including: accurate data entry; working with Collections Management Systems to enhance or improve data, promoting and monitoring data accuracy and compliance with standards and procedures.
- Proficient in the use of Word, Excel, Power BI, and other software for data manipulation, management and reporting.
- Experience of making collections data accessible via online web platforms or other digital asset systems; including familiarity with APIs, testing, quality assurance, problem solving and providing technical communication between end users and specialist contractors.
- Substantial experience in developing and implementing standards, quality assurance and workflows.
- Knowledge of information and data regulations and legislation and where they interact with collections data.
- Experience of training other colleagues out with immediate team on new workflows and efficient use of CMS.
- Experience of project and programme management.
- Demonstrable experience of managing and motivating people within a related environment including: developing workplans, managing staff, developing people, promoting wellbeing, and promoting health and safety.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders. Produce accurate, impactful and succinct written reports, give oral presentations, chair meetings and influence stakeholders.
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Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description [https://hescot.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/RecruitmentDocs/IQAXyopXlN5oTaNueeQow93OAVAGmRxQ9Z3oQB1SwBbCvKM?e=ggTA9f].
About Us
We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.
We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at recruit@hes.scot or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.
Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.
To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.
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