Collections Assistant

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; Sevenoaks; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension

Free entry to NT places

Rental deposit loan

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at NT sites

Job summary

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty is seeking a Collections Assistant at Knole House in Sevenoaks. You will help with daily cleaning and care of internationally significant objects, textiles, furniture and paintings, while presenting them to visitors and ensuring a memorable experience.

You’ll work with a housekeeping team in a historic setting, keep precise records, monitor environmental conditions, and assist volunteers.

Qualifications

• This role requires good hand-to-eye skills and comfort with ladders or elevated work.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to a busy historic-site environment.
• Strong focus on delivering excellent service to visitors.
• Ability to work within a team and also use initiative when required.
• Good organisation and ability to handle multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Care for the historic house and its internationally significant collections.
• Maintain accurate records and monitor environmental conditions and wear.
• Support collections and house volunteers as needed.
• Engage with visitors and describe the work and the collections.

Skills

Hand-eye skills

Flexible/adaptable

Excellent service mindset

Team player, initiative

Well-organised

Willing to learn

Job description

We’re looking for someone with a love of history and an eye for detail, who’s friendly and open with people. This role is about looking after a historic house and its collections of internationally significant objects, furniture and works of art. And it’s about presenting all of this to people visiting, and helping to make every person’s day memorable and enjoyable.

This role will involve weekend working on a 1 in 3 basis and occasional bank holiday working.

Summary

We’re looking for someone with a love of history and an eye for detail, who’s friendly and open with people. This role is about looking after a historic house and its collections of internationally significant objects, furniture and works of art. And it’s about presenting all of this to people visiting, and helping to make every person’s day memorable and enjoyable.

This role will involve weekend working on a 1 in 3 basis and occasional bank holiday working.

For this role, you’ll need to complete our online assessment instead of using a C.V. or online application form. This will help us understand more about your strengths and give you more information on the role.

What it's like to work here

Knole is a stunning property which boasts a 1000 acre deer park, historic showrooms with a world-class collection of paintings and furniture, sprawling courtyards, gatehouse tower and conservation studio. We are passionate about caring for this wonderful property and visitors are at the heart of all we do.

We are a busy team, who like a challenge and work at a fast pace. We work collaboratively with each other and the wider property and we're hands on and work together to get the job done.

What you'll be doing

As a Collections Assistant, you’ll be working with a supportive housekeeping team in an inspiring historic setting. You’ll be helping with the day-to-day cleaning and care of the internationally significant collections of objects, works of art, textiles and furniture that are part of the house’s history. You’ll be alert to details and changes, and will keep a keen eye on everything from the environmental conditions in a room to any signs of wear and tear. You’ll also be keeping accurate records. Providing support to our Collections and House volunteers when needed.

The role also involves visitor engagement; you’ll be talking to visitors about the work you’re doing and the collections you help to look after.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.

Who we're looking for

We’d love to hear from you if you're:

• good hand-to-eye skills, and happy to work from ladders or scaffold towers
• comfortable working in a flexible and adaptable way
• focused on giving great service to everyone you meet
• a team player, but also happy to work on your own initiative
• well-organised and versatile
• willing to learn new skills.

The package

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)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as 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 Trust places

National Trust place

Knole House, Knole, Sevenoaks, TN15 0RP

Documents

Collections Assistant - Grade 10 - Career Level A2.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 13th September 2026

Interview Date: 24th September 2026

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here .

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.