We protect everything from bats to buildings to beaches – and we want to share them with everyone too. But how do we care for our special places, while helping everyone to enjoy them and their fascinating stories? It’s no small task. In fact, it’s a big team effort and it’s why our Collections Assistant  are so important.

Hours: For clarity, if suitable for the successful candidate, the role can be 30 hours (4 days) per week, until 31st March 2025. From 1st April 2025, it will reduce to 22.5 hours (3 days) per week on a permanent contract basis. Please note, there is an opportunity for the successful candidate to work an additional 7.5 hours (1 day) per week, fixed term until 31st March 2025.

Contract: Permanent 

Provisional interviews: 14th June

Set in the heart of the stunning Northumberland landscape, Cragside is a unique place to work. Here William Armstrong, the brilliant engineer and manufacturer, built a wonder of the Victorian age. Here he created artificial lakes, generated his own hydro-power, pioneered electric lighting, installed telephone systems and built a world of experimentation and innovation that inspired the way we live today.

We carry this ethos into the 21st Century – developing and implementing experimental and innovative ways to bring Cragside to life for today’s visitor. Just as Armstrong’s vision was brought to fruition through creative collaboration, today a multi-disciplinary team works to look after the place in a way that makes it enjoyable and relevant to our visitors, allowing them to connect with it on an emotional level too.

As a Collections Assistant, you’ll be working with a great housekeeping team in an incredible place, helping with the day-to-day cleaning and care of the collections. No detail will go unnoticed, and you’ll keep a keen eye on everything from the environmental conditions in a room, to signs of wear and tear. You’ll keep accurate records too.

In this visitor facing role, we’d love you to talk to visitors about the work you’re doing, and the collections we have. You'll also be part of the wider team of employees and volunteers, helping to cover where necessary.

Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert.

• A team player, but can also work on your own initiative? 
• Well organised and adaptable? 
• Customer focused with a positive attitude? 
• Willing to learn new skills? 
• Good manual dexterity and eye-to-hand skills and ability to work from ladders and tower scaffold. 

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)

• Tax free childcare scheme

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• Perks at work discounts i.e. 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 locations

• Independent financial advice

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.