Would you like to work for the charity that cares for hundreds of historic sites in every corner of England? We are looking for a Visitor Assistant to join us at Audley End House and Gardens working a minimum of 14 hours per week.
No history background? No problem. What is important to us is a passion for people and excellent customer service. You will enjoy working with others as part of a team and understand what makes excellent customer service to deliver an engaging visitor experience to a diverse audience.
Heritage is for everybody, and we are here for heritage.
Heritage lives in places and people, memories and stories, artefacts and traditions. It can connect us all to the past, and to each other. It can make us happier, strengthen every community, and help shape society for the better. Everybody should be able to enjoy the benefits it brings. That's why, as a charity, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England, from international icons to local treasures. And it's why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create.
As a Audley End House Visitor Assistant, you will join an amazing team of employees and volunteers, making sure visitors have a great time from the moment they arrive until they say goodbye.
We are particularly looking for people with retail experience, although the role will also be varied to include other Visitor Assistant duties such as admissions, as well as within our retail shops, therefore weekend working and Bank holidays will be required.
It is a varied role - some days will be busy from start to finish and others quieter, especially on the wetter days! Some paid or voluntary experience with the public is beneficial but full training and support is provided as part of your induction.
Working as part of a team, you will deliver a warm welcome to everyone and by connecting with our visitors, you will help to personalise their visit through your recommendations. This could include raising awareness of the benefits of membership options or recommending things to see and do on site. You will ensure your site is accessible, safe and well presented at all times. It is a varied role and some days will be busy from start to finish, whereas others may be quieter especially on the wetter days! No two days are the same.
Training and support will be provided as part of your induction to the role. There will be requirement to work weekends and Bank Holidays, more information will be provided at interview.
You will enjoy the rewards of a great team environment in inspiring locations, helping to make our sites a wonderful place to visit. You'll also be joining our charity, which through our 400+ historic monuments, buildings and sites, brings the story of England to life for over 10 million visitors each year.
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive training
- The opportunity for career progression within the heritage sector in retail, food and beverage or general management
- Apprenticeship opportunities
- Opportunities to go to some of our great live music and history events
- Free access to all English Heritage sites for you, and up to 6 friends and / or family members
- 25% discount in our shops and cafes
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave
- 25 days' holiday plus Bank Holidays pro rata rising to 28 days after 3 years
- Options to buy additional leave
- Matched pension contributions up to a maximum of 10%
Find out more about us and what we do: You can also meet some of our people and hear about why they enjoy working with us:
Everybody's welcome at English Heritage
Forget the stereotypes. It takes thousands of people from every background to care for England's heritage and open it up for everybody to enjoy. We're looking for every type of person with every kind of skill and experience, and we're committed to making sure that English Heritage is an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work. You can connect with others through our EDI networks as a member or ally. These include Ethnic Diversity, Faith & Belief, Social Equity, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergence, Age, Disability and Gender Health and Wellbeing.
We take wellbeing seriously. We are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe at work and can carry out their role. To support this, we have a network of Mental Health First aiders, regular information and awareness events, unlimited access to an Employee Assistance Programme and work with our people to implement reasonable adjustments.
f you would like to talk to us about this role before you apply, e.g. regarding workplace adjustments, working patterns, please contact Gael Bootman, Retail Manager, at gael.bootman@english-heritage.org.uk
No agencies please.
Our interview and offer process will take place between 17th February - 10th March 2025, with new starters joining in the week of 24th March 2025
Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed (initial telephone interview), then in person at Audley End House.