Collections & House Officer - National Trust : Job Details

We protect everything from bats to buildings to beaches – and we want to share them with everyone too. But how do we care for our special places, while helping everyone to enjoy them and their fascinating stories? It’s no small task. In fact, it’s a big team effort and it’s why our Collections & House Officers are so important.

Weekends, bank holidays and school holidays are often our busiest times, so you'll be required to work regular weekends - usually one weekend day per week with a day off during the week.

Because Oxburgh Hall is in a rural area, please think about how you’d be able to get here for work, before you apply for this job.

Accommodation is provided to the postholder for the proper or better performance of their duties in accordance with Trust criteria and HMRC rules.

Reporting to the Collections & House Manager, you'll play a key role in looking after the fascinating collections and interiors of the property.

This romantic 15th century manor house has a real ‘wow’ factor. With its castle-like exterior and panoramic views, Oxburgh Estate’s collection team love working in this beautiful environment. It is an exciting time as we continue to develop our visitor offer in different ways and share the wonders of the collection and interiors of the Hall with our many visitors. 

We have a collection of over 5000 items, ranging from household fittings to the internationally significant Oxburgh Hangings – embroideries created by Mary Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick. 

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Working closely with the rest of the Collections team, you’ll be responsible for the daily opening of the House, ensuring appropriate resources are in place to provide a consistently excellent service for our visitors. You’ll line-manage our dedicated team of Visitor Host Volunteers (room guides) and take the lead on recruiting, inducting and training new volunteers into this role. A key aspect of the role will be rota management, ensuring we have sufficient volunteers to open the House and provide an excellent experience for our visitors. You’ll support the Visitor Hosts to develop their skills in conveying the many fascinating stories to our visitors, helping Oxburgh to be a friendly and welcoming place for all.

You’ll support the rest of the Collections team in the implementation and completion of conservation routines, including preventive conservation, daily cleaning and the annual deep cleaning programme within the House. This will include the line-management of a Collections Assistant.

You’ll play a part in collecting and recording information during routine conservation cleaning to inform our understanding of the house and the collection, and using preventive conservation techniques to improve how we conserve, interpret and present the property. You’ll enjoy telling visitors about our fascinating history and sharing information about our conservation work, assisting with programming and supporting regular Conservation in Action events.

You’ll help to ensure we remain compliant and work safely by supporting regular workplace inspections and keeping risk assessments and other essential documentation up to date. You’ll form part of the property duty management team, taking on the role of Duty Manager as part of a rota.

We’re keen to help you develop in the role and will ensure you get the on-the-job training you need, as well as encourage you to take up relevant learning opportunities where available.

We'd love to hear from you if you’re: 

• someone who puts people first, and who knows what’s needed to make sure everyone receives great service
• able to work as part of a team, with skills in day-to-day supervision and management 
• good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people 
• good interpersonal and communication skills, and great teamwork skills
• good organisational skills and a methodical approach
• a good understanding of preventive conservation, as well as Health & Safety and emergency procedures
• good manual dexterity and eye-to-hand skills, and the ability to work from ladders and tower scaffold

Please submit a cover letter alongside your CV.

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

•Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

•Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

•Rental deposit loan scheme

•Season ticket loan

•EV car lease scheme 

•Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

•Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

•Flexible working whenever possible

•Employee assistance programme

•Free parking at most Trust places

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.