Museum assistant jobs

Programmes and Policy Assistant
Location: Kings Cross, London - Hybrid
Salary: £27,040 per annum
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent

Who are we?

Art Fund is the national fundraising charity for art. With over 142,000 members, we are leading the way in pioneering support for an inclusive and welcoming museum and gallery sector across the UK.

We work closely with a network of 900 museums and respond to their needs and aspirations. We're excited to see how they want to develop: to expand and diversify their collections and workforce, develop curatorial skills, make ambitious acquisitions, and create a welcoming, inclusive space for communities. With the support of over 140,000 members who buy a National Art Pass, patrons, and donors we can provide grants, encourage visiting and advocate for museums' essential role and value.

We have diversity, inclusion, and sustainability central to our thinking and the opportunity to be a force for good, galvanise support and help change things for the better inspires our team.

The role

As Programme and Policy Assistant, you'll support the Programme and Policy team with the delivery of Art Fund's grant-making programmes by providing administrative assistance and fostering good relationships with our network of museums and art professionals.

Your key responsibilities will include responding to and redirecting enquiries from museums and galleries, processing grant applications and invoices, maintaining department contacts in our Customer Relation Management (CRM) system and supporting with research to inform policy briefings, letters and external research commissions.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is motivated to apply their administrative skills and interest in art or museums, to support with grant making and advocacy for the museum and gallery sector.

Key Employee Benefits

• Generous Annual leave – 25 days annual leave and bank holidays, with additional non-contractual office closure dates at Christmas.
• Free National Art Pass (NAP) – for yourself and another person of your choice.
• Free Entry to Exhibitions
• Life Assurance – cover for up to three times your basic salary.
• Season Ticket Loan
• Pensions – Eligible employees are enrolled into the scheme with the exception of those who have contracts of three months or less. Art Fund contributes 8% of the basic annual salary during the first six months of employment or until probation is successfully completed, whichever is the later. At that point the contribution is increased to 10%.

Closing deadline: 23.59 on 8 October 2025

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We are committed to building our team and trustees from the broad range of backgrounds and experiences across the UK, valuing difference and diversity, and building a workplace based on shared values of equality and mutual respect.

We have ambitious plans for the future and will be holding ourselves to account and putting our principles into action, as we all work together to help bring about positive change and a fairer future for everyone. We therefore want to encourage applications from all races, ages, religions and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with any kind of disabilities and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our organisation.

Non-UK nationals will require current and valid permission to work in the UK.

Please note that any suspected use of AI in relation to answering sift questions will be marked down.

No agencies please.

Kempton Steam Museum, operated by Kempton Great Engines Trust, is home to the world's largest operational triple-expansion steam engine, which supplied water to much of London until 1980. Our project, Kempton: Clean Water for Life - reaching a wider audience, is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we aim to transform Kempton Steam Museum’s engagement with visitors and the local community, while enhancing support for volunteers and care of collections.

The part-time Volunteer Coordinator will be responsible for recruiting, training, and coordinating the volunteers who support the museum's operations, engineering activities and visitor experience. They will develop documentation including a volunteer agreement, handbook and role profiles and ensure that volunteers are effectively integrated into the museum's activities and that their contributions are recognised and valued. A full role profile is available.

As part of this project we are also recruiting a Museum Operations & Project Manager (two days per week) and a Curatorial Assistant (one day per week). The Volunteer Coordinator will report to the Museum Operations & Project Manager.

This is an exceptional opportunity to work with a passionate volunteer-led organisation and help shape the future of a remarkable industrial heritage site. 

Qualifications and Skills:

· Proven experience in volunteer coordination and recruitment or a related field, preferably in museums or the wider cultural or charity sector

· Excellent organisational and communication skills

· Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse groups

Personal Attributes:

· Enthusiastic about the museum’s mission

· Ability to inspire and motivate volunteers

· Flexible and adaptable to changing needs and priorities

· Good problem-solving skills and the ability to handle challenging situations with tact

Working arrangements:

· Flexible hours

· Some weekend work may be required

· There may be scope for some working at home, although much of the work will be directly with and volunteers and need to be carried out on site.

Join Us in Bringing Stories to Life at Union Chapel!

Are you passionate about arts, culture, and community?

Do you thrive in creative spaces and love supporting people to get involved?

We’re looking for a motivated and organised individual to join our Sunday School Stories Project team as Administrative Support to the Participation Manager.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a project that celebrates heritage and empowers communities—from refugees and asylum seekers to local families, young people, and older residents.If you’re ready to make a difference, gain hands-on experience, and be part of an inspiring, supportive team, check out our job pack for full details and how to apply!

Job Title: Marketing & Events Assistant
Salary: National Living Wage
Hours: Part Time – 21 hours per week
Location: Heritage Centre, Winlaton Mill, Blaydon-on-Tyne, NE21

About us

Groundwork works across the UK helping communities find practical solutions to the challenges they face. We provide training and create jobs, reduce energy use and waste, re-connect people with nature and transform whole neighbourhoods. Step by step we’ll go on changing places and changing lives until everywhere is vibrant and green, every community is strong enough to shape its own destiny and everyone can reach their potential.

About the role

Are you a creative, organised, and enthusiastic individual with a passion for marketing and events?

We’re looking for a Marketing & Events Assistant to join our friendly team. This exciting and varied role offers a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in marketing, events coordination, and visitor engagement across our vibrant portfolio of sites, including the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre and The Greenhouse Business Centre.

You will work closely with our events, operations, and retail teams to create engaging marketing content, support the delivery of memorable events, and help keep our sites looking their best. This is a supportive role where you’ll be encouraged to share ideas, develop skills, and make a real difference.

About you

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Creative and confident with social media.
• Organised, with strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable working independently while being a great team player.
• Willing to work flexibly, including occasional evenings or weekends for events.
• Familiar with Canva or similar design tools (experience is a bonus, but training can be provided).

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a welcoming and supportive team that values your ideas.
• Gain valuable experience in marketing, events, and visitor engagement.
• Work in inspiring locations that celebrate heritage, creativity, and community.

Closing date: Midnight on Friday 3rd October 2025
Please note: should we receive a high volume of applications, we may look to close the role early, therefore we recommend an early application.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the Apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Make yourself at home

We want you to be yourself at Groundwork and we value everything that makes you unique. We recognise and celebrate your difference and together we make Groundwork a special and great place to work. As a Disability Confident employer we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role.

At Groundwork we ensure that we provide a safe environment for adults, children and young people to take part in any activity or service that we organise. We are committed to creating a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and comprehensive process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all the people we appoint are suitable to work with our children, young people and adults

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

No agencies please.

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced Visitor Experience Manager (VEM) to play a vital role in leading and shaping the visitor journey at Waddesdon Manor, working Wednesday-Sunday. The successful candidate will  be an  integral part of the Visitor Experience Management Team at Waddesdon Manor ensuring that every visitor enjoys an outstanding experience that is welcoming, inclusive, and memorable.

You will be responsible for developing a culture of ‘exceptional service, every time, for everyone,’ leading by example and inspiring the wider visitor experience team to deliver outstanding customer service. With extensive management experience in a visitor-facing heritage environment, you will act as an ambassador for our visitors across the property, ensuring their needs and expectations are embedded at the heart of all operations.

What you will do:

As Visitor Experience Manager (VEM), you will oversee house-based visitor operations and lead a seamless visitor engagement program - including tours, walks, and talks - ensuring that all audiences enjoy an exceptional and inspiring experience. By maintaining consistently high standards of welcome, interpretation and storytelling, you will enhance visitor satisfaction and foster memorable experiences.

You will play a key role in the growth and evolution of the Visitor Experience department, driving excellence in operations, recruitment, training, customer service, and engagement initiatives. With a strong understanding of heritage best practices, you will contribute to shaping the Visitor Experience strategy, ensuring long-term success and the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs).

Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

Operational Management

• Oversee the visitor experience within the house, supporting the Assistant Visitor Experience Manager (AVEM) to ensure a consistently high-quality experience for all guests.
• Ensure impeccable presentation standards aligned with brand guidelines.
• Full compliance of operational policies and procedures.
• Ensure staff and volunteers are engaged with their roles and environment.
• Effective staff planning that aligns with budget and operational needs.
• Strategically plan for the future of the house-based visitor operation by benchmarking against industry leaders, implementing best practices, and managing change, where needed.
• Support the AVEM in the operational delivery of house openings and tours.
• Act as an escalation point for visitor feedback or complaints, ensuring prompt and confident resolution.

Tours & Walks Operation

• Oversee the daily delivery of the public tours and walks program, ensuring high-quality, well-resourced experiences.
• Serve as a central point of coordination between teams and departments to efficiently manage spaces and resources.
• With the AVEM provide motivational and supportive leadership to all guides and volunteers, ensuring visitor expectations remain central to operations
• Collaborate with relevant departments to create scripts and guidance for walks and tour programme delivery
• Train as a guide to cover staff/volunteer shortfalls and maintain consistency in the visitor offer
• Support out-of-hours exclusive access tours, sharing responsibilities with the VE management team
• Develop industry-leading, accessible, and revenue-generating tour visitor engagement programme
• Develop a guide recruitment and training programme.
• Work with the Head of Visitor Experience (HVE), Group Bookings Coordinator, and Marketing team to tailor tours and walks to visitor and group preferences.

People Management

• Line manage the AVEM, providing operational guidance and supporting their professional development.
• Offer strong, motivational leadership to guides and volunteers, serving as an approachable point of contact.
• Recruit, develop, and coach a high-performing, enthusiastic team, setting clear objectives and providing regular feedback.
• Inspire teams to engage with and safely manage the historic environment, fostering a passion for the house, its history, and collections.
• Collaborate with the VE & Volunteering teams to expand and enhance the year-round Visitor Experience volunteering program.
• Lead annual visitor care training for staff and volunteers.
• Provide ongoing role-specific training to ensure high standards of delivery.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Work with the Head of Visitor Experience to manage staffing and operational budgets, contributing to financial planning.
• Champion accessibility, ensuring all visitor offers meet best practice accessibility guidelines and supporting the AVEM in developing access initiatives.
• Deputise for the HVE and provide operational duty management in the AVEM’s absence.
• Serve as a second duty manager for large events, overseeing a designated site area and making operational decisions.
• Act as a trained First Aider and Fire Marshall (training provided).
• Train as a “White Hat” for Waddesdon’s Disaster Response Team and take a leadership role in major incidents if required
• Support frontline operations during peak times, major events, or staff shortages as required
• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices in the heritage/museum sector

You will be a great fit if:

You are skilled managing front-line teams and overseeing visitor operations, consistently delivering high standards of service and engagement. You have a passion for heritage and culture and can develop and deliver tours, walks and visitor programs that are accessible, inspiring and memorable. You are skilled at recruiting, training and motivating staff and volunteers, fostering a high-performing team while maintaining operational excellence. You have the ability to respond confidently to visitor feedback and will contribute to the long-term success and growth of the Visitor Experience department.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work within the charity and heritage sector, with all profits going to the upkeep and preservation of the House and Grounds.

Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter for this role:

• Operational Leadership: minimum of 3 years’ experience in operational and line management within a fast-paced, visitor-focused environment, ideally in the heritage or museum sector.
• Passion for Heritage & the Arts: A genuine interest in heritage, arts management, and the natural world.
• Team Management & Development: Skilled in coaching, team development, and effective communication. Excellent interpersonal skills, adept at building relationships and managing complex stakeholder interests.
• Volunteer Management: Experience in leading and engaging volunteers, with an understanding of how to effectively motivate, recognize, and reward their contributions.
• Visitor Experience & Engagement: Proven passion and experience in delivering exceptional visitor experiences and engagement programmes.
• Strategic Contribution: Strong time management, project management, organisational and problem-solving skills. Familiar with best practices and trends in museums, heritage and visitor attractions, with experience driving operational improvements.
• Collection Care & Conservation: Understanding of historic collection care, conservation, health and safety, and security legislation.
• Communication & Public Engagement: Strong written and interpersonal skills, with experience in public speaking, guiding, or presenting. Ability to remain calm and confident under pressure.
• Financial & Technical Proficiency: Some experience in budget management and commercial awareness. Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office, with familiarity in POS and ticketing platforms.

 Additional requirements:

The safety and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults are of the utmost importance for any role at the Rothschild Foundation, Waddesdon Manor. Consequently this position will require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to uphold the safety and security of all our guests, staff and volunteers.  

Rewards for working with us:

• Waddesdon Discounts – 50% discount in the food-to-go outlets at the Manor. 20% in the Manor gift shop and restaurant, Stables Café, Five Arrows Hotel, and The Bow Pub. 20% discount on special event tickets made available to staff.
• Staff Card - A National Trust staff card entitles two adults and children under 18 years of age free admission to all National Trust properties and 20% discount in NT retail and catering outlets.
• Annual Leave - On starting with us, you will receive 25 days annual leave per year plus 8 public holidays pro-rata. Stay with us for 3 years and this rises to 28 days, 30 days after five years and 32 days after 10 years.
• Sick pay - If you become ill, one week of sick pay during your first 3 months. This rises to a maximum of 3 months full pay within a rolling 12-month period. After four years you also receive a further 3 months at half pay in the rolling 12-month period.
• Pension - We will top up your pension by matching any contribution you make, up to 10% of your basic salary.
• Income Protection – on completing one year of continuous service, income protection may be available at 50% of basic salary for a maximum of 5 years.
• Life Assurance – a lump sum of 4 times basically annual salary is payable upon death in service.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Support – access to a wellbeing platform and fully funded 1:1 counselling service.
• Enhanced Maternity Pay – after 12 months of continuous service, you can choose 13 weeks of maternity leave at full pay followed by 26 weeks statutory pay.
• Enhanced Paternity Pay – after 12 months of continuous service, you may take 3 months of paternity leave at full pay.
• And plenty more!