Records Management Consultant
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Assess current recordkeeping practices and risks
- Inventory records and map where they are stored
- Define records retention rules and disposal processes
- Design file plans and naming standards
- Improve access, search, and retrieval practices
- Advise on privacy, security, and sensitive data handling
- Create policies, procedures, and user guidelines
- Support audits, investigations, and legal requests
- Train staff and drive adoption of new practices
- Partner with legal, compliance, and information technology teams
- Measure outcomes such as reduced storage and faster retrieval
- Support system selection and configuration for recordkeeping needs
Top Skills for Success
Stakeholder Management
Clear Writing
Training Delivery
Project Management
Process Mapping
Risk Assessment
Records Retention
Information Governance
Policy Development
Records Classification
Disposition Management
eDiscovery Fundamentals
Privacy Compliance
Data Security Basics
Content Management Systems
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Records Manager
Information Governance Manager
Compliance Manager
Privacy Program Manager
Risk Manager
Content Operations Manager
Transition Opportunities
Information Governance Director
Compliance Director
Privacy Officer
Risk and Controls Lead
eDiscovery Manager
Enterprise Content Manager
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Retention Schedule DesignDefensible DisposalChange ManagementContent Migration PlanningAudit ReadinessData MappingVendor EvaluationMetrics and Reporting
Development SuggestionsBuild a small portfolio of artifacts such as a sample retention schedule, a file plan, and a policy document. Practice running stakeholder workshops and documenting decisions. Strengthen familiarity with common content platforms and learn how to translate legal requirements into simple, usable rules.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 55,000 to 80,000
Mid LevelUSD 80,000 to 120,000
Senior LevelUSD 120,000 to 170,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand, supported by stricter privacy rules, increased digital records, and higher expectations for defensible disposal and audit readiness.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
DeloittePwCKPMGEYAccentureBooz Allen HamiltonIBMIron MountainRicohCGI
Industry Sectors
Financial ServicesHealthcareGovernmentLegal ServicesEnergyInsuranceHigher EducationManufacturingTechnologyPharmaceuticals
Recommended Next Steps
1
Create a one page assessment checklist for recordkeeping risks and controls2
Draft a sample records retention schedule for a common department such as human resources3
Build a simple file plan with naming standards and access rules4
Prepare a disposal workflow that includes approvals and audit logging5
Take a short course in privacy compliance and information governance6
Review job descriptions and align your resume to measurable outcomes such as cost reduction and audit findings closed7
Conduct two informational interviews with records leaders in regulated industries8
Develop a training deck for end users and test it with a small group