Location
Richmond, with a combination of onsite and home working. Applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.

Hours
Full Time. Requests for part-time, flexible working and job share will be considered, subject to operational needs.

Salary
£40,853 per annum, plus a contribution of £11,835 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

About the Role
The National Archives holds over 11 million items, including the Domesday Book, Shakespeare’s will, and wartime records. As FOI Manager, you will play a key role in managing Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, particularly those involving closed historical records. You will ensure compliance with legal obligations under the FOI, Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), and Data Protection Acts (DPA), managing FOI casework and overseeing FOI Assessors and Researchers who conduct the bulk of review work.

You will provide expert advice to the Head of Centre and other senior managers, guiding decisions on complex cases, appeals, and tribunals. Working closely with senior figures across The National Archives and government information rights units, you will promote FOI knowledge throughout the organisation, update guidelines, consider feedback, and help shape future operations.

This role requires strong leadership to inspire and manage a dedicated team to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality outcomes. You will be confident in making and defending key FOI and access decisions, with excellent communication skills to influence senior stakeholders and explain legal points clearly.

This is an excellent opportunity to work within a prestigious organisation that offers great support, exceptional benefits, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Experience
- Demonstrable knowledge of information rights legislation including the Public Records Act 1958 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000; OR significant relevant experience involving researching, analysing, and summarising complex information.
- Experience of mentoring, motivating, or managing staff working under pressure to meet tight deadlines and deliver agreed goals.
- Experience establishing relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of objectives and negotiating outcomes at a senior level, both internally and externally.

About you
- Ability to prioritise and balance managing your own workload and deadlines alongside providing support to a wider team.
- Confidence to use judgement and knowledge to make difficult decisions and defend them.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage staff and stakeholders, clarify goals, and write persuasively for different audiences.
- Strong leadership skills to inspire and manage a dedicated team to meet deadlines and perform effectively.

Qualifications
While no formal qualifications are specified, a strong understanding of FOI and Data Protection legislation or significant relevant experience is essential. Security clearance (SC) or willingness to obtain it is required, with usual residency requirements applying.