Information officer

As an information officer, it's your role to manage, compile, and distribute data. You'll work with electronic resources - especially online databases, content management systems, open access resources and other digital resources - as well as traditional library materials.

You're likely to spend a lot of time managing company information and working with internal and external databases. As well as dealing with enquiries from staff and providing access to resources, you'll also provide training to staff on how to find, use and store information. You may also manage outreach and communications, depending on your role.

Job titles vary so you need to look beyond the title to the actual work you'd be doing in the role. Job titles can include information adviser, information manager, knowledge manager, information scientist and information specialist.

Types of information officer

You'll find work in a range of organisations, typically in the commercial and private sector, and may handle information, including:

• careers
• commercial
• compliance
• educational
• financial
• health
• legal
• medical
• scientific
• technical.

What does an information officer do?

As an information officer you'll need to:

• select, manage and distribute information resources in a range of formats
• classify, collate, catalogue and store information, usually using special computer applications, for easy access and retrieval
• develop and manage electronic resources using including, for example, online databases and content management systems
• scan, search and audit databases and materials
• catalogue and index materials
• oversee the development of new information systems
• help assess proposed new subscription databases and make recommendations based on staff/client needs
• develop and manage information resources and networks via intranet sites
• write and edit reports, publications and intranet content
• respond to requests, comments and enquiries from staff and external clients
• write press releases, promotional content and material for external sources
• promote the information service to ensure staff and clients are aware of all relevant knowledge and information resources
• run effective enquiry and current awareness or 'alerting' services and develop communications strategies
• provide user education via leaflets, websites, online tutorials, videos, podcasts and tours of the library or information room
• deliver services such as online resource housekeeping and training materials
• provide training and advice to colleagues, and sometimes clients, on the use of electronic information services and key research resources.

In a management role, you'll also have responsibility for areas such as budget management, negotiating with external database suppliers, and training and supervising junior staff.

Information officer salaries in the UK

• Salaries at entry level in an information assistant role typically average £23,000 but can be anywhere between £20,000 and £27,000 depending on your experience.
• Salaries for information officers typically start at around £23,000 depending on your experience and qualifications with the average information officer earning £36,000.
• At information manager level, salaries average around £48,000. The highest salaries are for heads or directors of information.

Salaries vary between sectors and tend to be higher in certain areas such as academia and legal. In areas such as academia and local government, salaries follow a grading structure.

Salaries also depend on your location and your level of qualification, skills and experience, and level of responsibility.

How many hours does an information officer work?

Working hours are typically 9am to 5pm, but you may need to work evenings and weekends in some instances, for example if working in a library environment. You may need to work a timetabled shift pattern in some roles. The work tends to be office based and you'll spend a lot of time working at a computer.

Career breaks and part-time work are possible. There may be some opportunities for hybrid working.

How do I become an information officer?

You'll find a range of undergraduate degrees available across the UK as well as postgraduate qualifications accredited by Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). Options include full-time, part-time and distance learning options available. While these courses are not essential, they demonstrate commitment to the field.

However, you can become an information officer with a degree in any subject. For jobs in areas such as health, law and science, you may need relevant subject knowledge, so a first degree in these areas can be particularly useful.

It's also possible to enter this profession without a degree by taking a Level 3 Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant apprenticeship. Apprenticeships combine paid work and part-time study. There are also opportunities to take a graduate Level 7 Archive and Records Manager apprenticeship.

Search Find an apprenticeship for current opportunities.

Some posts, usually at a senior level, also require CILIP Professional Registration Chartership.

Key skills for an information officer

You'll need to have:

• excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain strong relationships and answer queries
• IT skills for tasks such as creating and searching databases, designing for the web and managing the content of internets and intranets
• well-developed research and analysis skills and the ability to classify and store information
• organisation and time management skills, to organise resources as well as your own time and, as you progress professionally, the time of others
• understanding media, communications, and public relations strategies.

Information officer work experience

You should aim to get some work experience in an information or library role to support your job applications. Job shadowing opportunities are a great way to start. Health Library Group offers a job shadowing Network where you can search opportunities and learn about different job roles.

Work experience in public relations, customer service, and administration is also useful. You might also start as an assistant information officer or a library assistant and work your way up by training and building experience in the job.

It's also possible to build up experience through voluntary work or an internship. Check employers' websites for opportunities or the local press.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs information officers?

Typical employers include:

• commercial organisations, including banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies, advertising agencies, media companies and management consultancies
• construction, engineering and manufacturing companies
• energy companies (including nuclear power and renewables)
• government departments (central and local) and agencies
• healthcare organisations
• pharmaceutical companies
• prisons
• professional associations and learned societies
• professional practices, including architects, law firms, accountants and trade and research institutions
• schools, further education colleges and universities
• third sector and voluntary organisations including charities, pressure groups, political parties and church organisations
• transport and logistics companies.

Developing your expertise and contacts can bring opportunities for freelance work as an information consultant or trainer.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Charity jobs - for information officer jobs in the charity sector
• Information Professional Jobs - the job board for CILIP
• Jobs.ac.uk - for jobs in research science, academic and related professions.

Vacancies are also handled by specialist recruitment agencies, such as:

• CB Resourcing
• TFPL Recruitment

Vacancies are also advertised on LinkedIn.

Where can a career as an information officer lead?

As many information departments are small, you're likely to get a lot of responsibility early on in your career. The typical career path is to progress from information officer to an information management position (managing collections or people) and then on to a more senior management role involving the strategic development of a service.

To make this move, you're encouraged to undertake professional registration with CILIP to become chartered. This is a great way to gain formal recognition of your skills and knowledge. Chartered membership of CILIP entitles you to use the letters MCLIP after your name.

Taking on management responsibilities or specialising in professional areas, for example IT systems or training, are the usual routes to promotion. However, you should be prepared to move between jobs and employers to achieve this, as many information units aren't large enough to offer a clear structure for promotion, or even a great variety of roles.

Some information officers move into associated and support industries such as commercial online database providers, publishers and larger booksellers or library software suppliers. These roles are typically in customer support, sales, training and management positions.

Once you've reached a senior strategic position, you can find freelance work as a consultant, either independently or as part of a consultancy practice. Training roles are also available (both permanent and contract roles), such as when information staff need training on a particular product.

As part of the process for achieving chartership, you'll need to keep a record of your continuing professional development (CPD) activities. Relevant activities include taking short courses, getting involved in specialist information groups, and attending conferences and seminars on a range of information-related topics. These activities are provided by organisations such as CILIP and the Information and Records Management Society (IRMS). There are also opportunities to study for a PhD.

Many employers will also arrange training in the use of specialist databases, IT systems and resources used in your workplace.

Once you've achieved chartered membership and hold a senior position or have made a significant contribution to information work, you can take the next step and work towards fellowship of CILIP, the highest level of professional registration.