Summary
***INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY PLEASE***
We’re looking for someone who can champion fantastic collections care and practise, visitor welcome and the day-to-day operation of managing volunteers to give great experiences.
What it's like to work here
Reporting to the Collections & House Manager, you'll be working alongside three Collections Assistants, two Collections & House Officers, and a fantastic group of Collections Care & Conservation Volunteers.
The Children's Country House at Sudbury is a unique property, with the country home of the Vernon Family, which offers a delight of 17th-century craftsmanship, featuring exquisite plasterwork, wood carvings and classical story-based murals. The site cares for nearby Norbury Manor, a low stone-built Medieval Hall formerly held by the Fitzherbert Family, situated alongside the River Dove. We additionally look after The Museum of Childhood, a delight for all ages with something for everyone. Visitors can discover something new, or relive nostalgic memories by exploring the childhoods of times gone by, make stories, play with toys and share your childhood with others.
From 2022, it felt like a natural step for us to think more deeply about how children experience historic country houses. We want to engage children with the collections in our care, telling our stories and history by providing a fun and immersive heritage day out. A place where children can use their natural curiosity to safely and comfortably explore the property, leading their own visit. We recruited a group of over 100 child ambassadors who have helped us along this journey to creating The Children’s Country House. Through developing ideas with us, designing elements and trialling and testing some of the activities, their enthusiasm and creativity has been incredible. We are now looking to review and evaluate this offer by creating a blended approach to appeal to all audiences.
What you'll be doing
As the senior lead of the House Team, you’ll have experience in managing a team 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 budgets, 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
To deliver this role successfully, you'll need:
1. outstanding people leadership skills and experience of working with and managing staff and volunteers
2. have operational experience of collections management and care in an historic environment including relevant collections management systems
3. demonstrate a solid understanding of preventive conservation and its practical, strategic application in the form of routine and deep cleaning programmes
4. knowledge of Health and Safety and Emergency Procedures
5. good organisational skills, with strong attention to detail
6. 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