The Auckland Project
At the heart of our sites is St Peter’s Chapel, in Auckland Castle: the home of the Prince Bishops, and the historic seat of faith and power in the North of England. The experience across our sites is deeply linked to those two themes of faith and power – they are repeated throughout the Castle and Faith Museum, the Mining Art Gallery and the Spanish Gallery. The collection of our venues, spaces and places invite conversations about belonging, faith, loss, sacrifice, community, love and creativity. We would like our guests to explore: to discover things about our town, our country and their own lives. We want to create memorable and transformative encounters – and need your help to do so.
The role purpose
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Receptionist to join our charity in Bishop Auckland. The successful candidate will be someone who is hardworking, enthusiastic and reliable. You must be presentable, a good communicator, willing to learn and able to use your own initiative.
The Receptionist will meet and greet all visitors to the office and support all staff with front of house duties ensuring an exceptional standard of customer service. The role will involve general office administration paying particular attention to detail and displaying professionalism at all times.
Key Responsibilities
Greeting guests on arrival, advising the host and ensuring needs are met in terms of catering and car parking etc.
Managing reception and general enquiries email inbox
Managing incoming telephone lines and redirecting calls
General office administration tasks as directed by management
Opening and distributing post and managing deliveries
Data entry – both company CRM and Excel/Word
Ordering stationary and general office supplies
Photocopying, scanning and filing
Managing a meeting rooms calendar
Booking of Taxis
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Previous reception experience
Strong administrative skills
Excellent communication skills with the ability to confidently deal with clients both face to face and on the telephone
Impeccable attention to detail
Ability to multi-task and prioritise work effectively
IT literate; comfortable maintaining spread sheets and experienced in the use of Microsoft Office; including Excel, Word and Outlook and Teams preferably with a qualification in these platforms
Smart and well presented at all times
Desirable Criteria
The ability to work independently, be a self-motivator and possess excellent judgement
A business admin qualification
Hours of work
Job share opportunity: 20 hours per week, with core hours from 9am to 5pm, to be divided between two individuals. Additional coverage for annual leave will be needed.
The Auckland Project focus
The Auckland Project works hard to create a positive change for those living, working and visiting Bishop Auckland. We have created a visitor destination in Bishop Auckland, incorporating Auckland Castle (once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham), a Spanish Art Gallery, Faith Museum, Walled Garden, Deer Park, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower visitor centre and Weardale Railway. Our visitor destination and community development programme broadly fits into three areas:
The social environment: we help individuals and communities by creating a sense of curiosity, hope and faith in themselves and the world around them. We provide opportunities for skills development and partnerships, building a year-round tourist market and supporting small creative industries to thrive
The natural environment: we protect, sustain and enhance the world around us
The built environment: we restore and enhance the beauty and historic significance of the buildings, structures and assets in our care.
By working with us, you are helping to ensure the town’s future is as magnificent and vibrant as its past.
How to Apply
Apply for this role by downloading and completing an application form from and emailing this to recruitment@aucklandproject.org
Closing date: 11 February 2025
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications.