Genentech Archivist - Job Opportunity at Genentech

San Francisco, United States
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 10, 2025
On-site
USD 135,800 - 252,200 per year

Benefits

Discretionary annual bonus based on individual and Company performance providing additional compensation tied to success metrics
Comprehensive benefits package detailed in company portal offering competitive healthcare, retirement, and work-life balance support
Equal opportunity employment ensuring fair treatment and advancement opportunities regardless of protected status
Disability accommodation support demonstrating commitment to inclusive workplace practices
Merit-based promotion system allowing career advancement based on qualifications and performance

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic preservation initiatives by registering objects and files in electronic archives systems to ensure long-term organizational memory retention
Execute critical decision-making authority for long-term document and object retention policies that shape company historical legacy
Lead comprehensive inventory management across California locations while collaborating with international Basel colleagues to maintain global archival standards
Manage high-stakes research requests that directly impact company reputation and legal positioning
Provide strategic advisory services to Genentech staff on content usage and design for exhibitions, publications, and lectures that communicate company heritage
Create compelling historical narratives through articles, social media content, and publications that enhance internal and external brand positioning
Implement professional conservation practices including cleaning, mending, and protective measures to preserve invaluable corporate assets
Assess and mitigate reputational risks by evaluating potential impacts of historical asset usage on company standing

Requirements

Education

MA in archive and information science or equivalent

Experience

work experience in archives or collections

Required Skills

English language mastery Further languages are a plus deep intrinsic curiosity in extracting the background stories from the collections Passion for our purpose flexibility and versatility
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Corporate archival and information management roles are experiencing increased demand as organizations recognize the strategic value of institutional memory and brand heritage preservation. Companies are investing more heavily in professional archival services to support legal compliance, brand storytelling, and organizational culture initiatives. The pharmaceutical industry specifically is placing greater emphasis on historical preservation due to increasing regulatory scrutiny, patent documentation requirements, and the need to maintain detailed research and development records for intellectual property protection. Digital transformation in archival sciences is creating hybrid roles that combine traditional preservation skills with digital asset management, requiring professionals who can navigate both physical and electronic collection systems effectively.

Salary Evaluation

The salary range of $135,800 - $252,200 is highly competitive for archival positions and reflects the specialized nature of pharmaceutical industry archives, the San Francisco Bay Area location premium, and Genentech's position as a leading biotechnology company within the Roche Group.

Role Significance

Part of a small, specialized team spanning multiple global locations within the Roche Group's archival network, suggesting a lean but highly skilled organizational structure where individual contributors have substantial influence.
This is a specialized mid-level position with significant independent decision-making authority and strategic impact on company heritage preservation. The role combines technical archival expertise with business acumen, requiring someone who can balance preservation principles with corporate communication needs.

Key Projects

Implementation of comprehensive digital archival systems for pharmaceutical research documentation Development of historical exhibitions and publications that support corporate branding and stakeholder engagement Cross-functional collaboration with legal, communications, and executive teams on heritage-related initiatives International coordination with Basel headquarters on global archival standards and practices

Success Factors

Strong analytical skills to assess historical significance and business impact of archival materials while making strategic retention decisions Excellent communication abilities to translate complex historical information into accessible content for diverse stakeholder audiences Cultural sensitivity and business acumen to navigate the intersection of historical preservation with corporate reputation management Project management capabilities to coordinate complex inventory and conservation initiatives across multiple locations Adaptability to work effectively in a small team environment while maintaining high standards for professional archival practices

Market Demand

Moderate to high demand exists for specialized corporate archivists, particularly those with pharmaceutical industry experience and the ability to work with both historical preservation and modern corporate communication needs.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Master's level education in archival science provides essential technical foundation for professional preservation standards and ethical practices required in pharmaceutical industry documentation. This credential ensures understanding of complex information organization principles and legal compliance requirements. English language mastery is fundamental for effective communication with diverse stakeholder groups, creation of professional publications, and collaboration with international team members. Strong written communication skills are particularly crucial for developing content that represents corporate heritage accurately. Deep curiosity and analytical thinking capabilities are essential for identifying significant historical narratives within complex corporate documentation, enabling the archivist to extract meaningful stories that support business objectives while maintaining historical accuracy and context.

Beneficial Skills

Additional language skills enhance collaboration with Basel-based colleagues and international stakeholders, particularly valuable given the global nature of pharmaceutical research and the Roche Group's international presence. Flexibility and versatility enable success in a small team environment where individual contributors must adapt to diverse project requirements, from technical conservation work to strategic communication initiatives. Digital asset management expertise becomes increasingly important as archival practices evolve to incorporate electronic records management and digital preservation technologies essential for modern pharmaceutical documentation.

Unique Aspects

Integration with international archival network based in Basel, Switzerland, providing exposure to global pharmaceutical industry heritage and cross-cultural archival practices
Dual responsibility for legal compliance and corporate communication, requiring unique combination of technical preservation skills and business communication expertise
Access to potentially groundbreaking biotechnology research documentation and corporate history spanning decades of pharmaceutical innovation
Direct involvement in reputation management through historical asset evaluation, providing strategic business impact beyond traditional archival responsibilities

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing archival professionals, with opportunities for advancement accelerated by the specialized nature of pharmaceutical industry expertise and international corporate experience.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Archivist or Lead Historical Collections Manager with expanded team leadership responsibilities Corporate Heritage Director overseeing multiple archival and museum functions Information Governance Manager focusing on broader organizational data and records management Corporate Communications Manager specializing in brand heritage and storytelling initiatives

Company Overview

Genentech

Genentech operates as a leading member of the Roche Group, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, with a strong focus on oncology, immunology, and rare diseases. The company has established itself as a pioneer in biotechnology research and development, maintaining significant research facilities and corporate operations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

As part of the Roche Group, Genentech holds a premium position in the global pharmaceutical market, with substantial resources dedicated to research and development, regulatory affairs, and corporate infrastructure including specialized functions like historical preservation and archival services.
The San Francisco Bay Area location positions this role within one of the world's leading biotechnology clusters, providing access to cutting-edge research facilities, regulatory expertise, and a concentrated network of pharmaceutical industry professionals.
Large pharmaceutical companies typically offer structured professional development opportunities, collaborative international team environments, and emphasis on regulatory compliance and scientific rigor, with corporate functions like archival services receiving substantial organizational support and resources.
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