Records manager: Job description and activities
Job description
A records manager is responsible for the effective and appropriate management of an organisation's records.
Records management professionals are employed in a wide range of roles. The job increasingly involves advising on records management issues, as well as undertaking practical and strategic activities.
The role is developing in scope because there is an increased understanding of the value of effective knowledge and information management, particularly in the corporate sector. The demands of legislation, such as the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act, have also broadened the range of settings in which records and information management professionals work.
Typical work activities
Tasks typically involve:
- storing, arranging, indexing and classifying records;
- facilitating the development of filing systems, and maintaining these to meet administrative, legal, and financial requirements;
- devising and ensuring the implementation of retention and disposal schedules;
- overseeing the management of electronic and/or paper-based information;
- setting up, maintaining, reviewing, and documenting records systems;
- identifying the most appropriate records management resources;
- advising on and implementing new records management policies and classification systems;
- providing a policy framework to guide staff in the management of their records and use of the employer's records system;
- ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations;
- standardising information sources throughout an organisation or group of organisations;
- managing the changeover from paper to electronic records management systems;
- preserving corporate memory and heritage;
- resolving problems with information management by effective use of software and other information management resources;
- enabling appropriate access to information;
- responding to internal and/or external information enquiries;
- advising on highly complex legal and regulatory issues, often involving difficult judgments in controversial areas such as the Freedom of Information Act, and other national or regional legislation;
- managing and monitoring budgets and resources;
- training and supervising records staff;
- advising staff in other departments on the management of their records and information.
AGCAS
Written by Myrto Kalle, London School of Economics and Political Science
