Senior Collections & House Officer

Summary

Are you a proven manager of collections or houses? Can you bring your conservation knowledge to this close knit team? We need someone who can champion fantastic collections care and practise, visitor welcome and the day to day operation of managing volunteers to give great experiences.

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

Working pattern will be Sunday – Thursday. Regular weekend and bank holiday working will be required.

What it's like to work here

Reporting to the General Manager you’ll be part of a team of four house staff and work closely with the curator and conservator.

The Thames Valley is a major tourist destination, with historic houses, parks and gardens, cycling, walking and boating on the river. It’s a beautiful area in which to live and work, with numerous small villages and towns in the countryside, yet good transport links to London by train and close to the east-west M4 motorway. The nearby thriving town of Reading with its range of housing types and prices, university and sporting facilities is the most important source for local visitors coming to the National Trust properties in this area. Basildon Park is just 12 miles from Greys Court, with nearby Nuffield Place – the third in the group, forming a close triangle of properties spilling out north across the valley.

What you'll be doing

As the senior lead of the House Team, you’ll manage a team of Collections & House Officers, Collections Assistants and volunteers to implement preventive conservation and cleaning programmes in the house to ensure excellent standards of care, delivering strategies to improve conservation. You’ll be responsible for the planning and implementation of conservation projects, collections care and daily opening of the house ensuring appropriate resources are in place to provide a consistent and excellent visitor experience.

You'll collect and accurately record information to inform our understanding of the house and the collection and use preventive conservation techniques to improve how we conserve, interpret and present the property. Leading by example you’ll ensure a culture of excellent customer care, engaging our visitors with conservation and the values and behaviours of the National Trust.

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you have;

•outstanding people leadership skills and experience of working with and managing volunteers.

•Have operational experience of collections management and care in an historic environment including relevant collections management systems.

•demonstrate a solid understanding of preventive conservation and its practical, strategic application in the form of routine and deep cleaning programmes.

•knowledge of Health and Safety and Emergency Procedures.

•good organisational skills, with strong attention to detail.

•strong communication skills.

The package

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.

Location: Reading, GB

Posted Date: 1/8/2025