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Every day we are bombarded with information. It comes to us via the mail, over telephone lines and across computer networks. If we are to put it to good use it must be organised in some way.
Where records and data exist, rules, both in-house policies and wider regulatory laws, must be adhered to. These rules are in place to protect customers, the public and the organisations themselves. The result in recent years has been greater focus on making sure organisations are fully complying with the accurate and safe storage and management of information. And there’s been an explosion in roles to police every detail, fact and figure.
Records Management is no wallflower job. You’ll need diplomacy, and a firm approach when necessary, together with detailed technical knowledge of your sector and its auditing requirements. An appreciation and understanding of information management and the future landscape is essential. A positive attitude can work wonders too!
Key responsibilities
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Monitoring processes and those employed within organisations to ensure that the storage of information and records, paper and electronic, meet necessary legal requirements
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Understanding the law and converting this into standards, procedures and controls that the business people understand and can work with
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Devising and overseeing records retention and disposal schedules
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Managing and controlling risks to avoid falling foul of rules and facing court action
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Migrating and merging information sources within an organisation
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Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of records systems, introducing smarter ways for people to access information, such as Intranets, databases or more user friendly search engines
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Preserving important corporate heritage records for research and business purposes, and destroying records that hold no further benefit
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Managing teams and budgets, training and appraising staff.
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Typical starting salaries in first post-graduate roles are usually between £21,000 and £27,000
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Potential earnings
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Record Managers with between three and five years experience, could reach between £27,000 and £40,000. High demand for qualified records managers has led to substantial rises in salaries, particularly in commercial settings. Earnings in top senior positions can be between £60,000 to £80,000.
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Without a degree or postgraduate qualification in Information Management or Archive Studies, you are unlikely to land a management job. Although there are currently no first degrees specifically in records management, there are a number of relevant archiving and information management qualifications at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, offering modules in record management.
Also available are distance learning courses in records management via:
· University of Northumbria at Newcastle
· University of Wales, Aberystwyth
· University of Liverpool
· University of Dundee
Some employers may provide paid work placement training programmes prior to entry to the Diploma/MA in Archive Administration and Records Management. The Society of Archivists can give details of organisations that offer these work placements.
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Essential skills
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A commitment to ongoing professional development, inquisitive, methodical and confidence are all qualities that employers seek out in their record managers. You’ll need strong negotiating and influencing skills, and sometimes an assertive manner. Above all, you’ll need the ability to adapt and react rapidly to new and evolving technologies.
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Professional qualifications
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Full-time and part-time postgraduate programmes in records and archives management, accredited by the Society of Archivists, are available at:
- University of Wales, Aberystwyth
- University College Dublin
- University of Glasgow
- University College London
- University of Liverpool.
Once qualified, records managers are encouraged to undertake the Society of Archivists’ Registration Scheme. This demonstrates a commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) and can enhance career prospects.
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Apprenticeships
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N/A
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Promotional prospects
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- Information Services and Records Manager
- Head of Records Management
- Self-employment/consultancy.
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