Collections Assistant

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd; Bakewell CP; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing calendar

Onsite gym and swimming pool

Estate Pass for Chatsworth

Discounts at hotels/restaurants

Job summary

The Devonshire Group is seeking a part-time Collections Assistant to join the Devonshire Collections team. The role focuses on sewing, installation and care of historic textiles and decorative arts across Chatsworth and estate properties.

You will work across Textiles and Collections with hands-on duties, including handling, installations, storage projects and preventive conservation, contributing to the long-term stewardship of the collection.

Qualifications

• Excellent machine and hand-sewing skills.
• Meticulous eye for detail and practical, organized approach.
• Experience in collections care or museum environments is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Produce, install and repair soft furnishings.
• Support care and conservation of textiles, furnishings and decorative arts.
• Handle objects, assist with installations and collection moves.
• Assist with storage projects and preventive conservation tasks.

Skills

Sewing skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Tools

Sewing machine

IT literacy

Job description

Collections Assistant

This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Devonshire Collections team as a part-time Collections Assistant, helping to care for, present and preserve one of the UK's most significant heritage collections across Chatsworth, other Estate properties and the Private Household.

About the Role

Working across both the Textiles and Collections teams, you will play an important hands-on role in the production, installation and repair of soft furnishings, as well as supporting the care and conservation of historic textiles, furnishings and decorative arts. From tapestries and carpets to contemporary and historic interiors, your work will contribute directly to the long-term stewardship of the collection and the preservation of exceptional heritage assets.

This varied role offers involvement in a wide range of projects throughout the year, including exhibitions, special projects, creative programmes and seasonal conservation works. Alongside your sewing expertise, you will support object handling, installations, collection moves, storage projects and preventive conservation activities, ensuring the highest standards of care and attention are maintained across the collection.

Hours and Location

This is a permanent, part-time role working 22 hours per week. The hours must be worked between Tuesday and Friday, although we are happy to discuss how these hours are arranged. The role will be based at Chatsworth in Derbyshire. Company: The Devonshire Group Salary: £13.85 per hour Hours: Part-time Location: Bakewell, DE45 1PP Job type: Permanent Posting date: 24 Jul 2026 Closing date: 23 Aug 2026

About You

We are looking for someone with excellent machine and hand-sewing skills, a meticulous eye for detail and a practical, organised approach to their work. You will be confident working collaboratively with colleagues, contractors and specialist teams, while also using your initiative to manage tasks independently.

Experience of collections care, heritage, conservation or museum environments would be beneficial, together with good IT skills and an appreciation of the importance of discretion, security and confidentiality when working within a private household setting.

Please note applications must be include a cover letter. There will be a two-staged interview process which will include a sewing skills assessment. We encourage early applications, as this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient applications are received.

In return

We can offer you the opportunity to work in the beautiful surroundings of Chatsworth, within a super friendly and supportive team. We genuinely care about our employees and offer several company benefits including a wellbeing calendar of events, an onsite gym and swimming pool, and access to an Estate Pass for free access to Chatsworth for you and guests plus discounts at various hotels and restaurants across the Devonshire Group. Full details can be found by visiting: Colleague Benefits

[https://devonshiregroup.co.uk/work-with-us/working-at-the-devonshire-group/]

We are a values-led organisation. We believe in: always improving, decency, and being inclusive.

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