Collections Assistant

National Trust; Wimborne Minster; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 19,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension scheme

Free entry to NT places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday entitlement up to 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking

Job summary

National Trust’s Kingston Lacy Estate in Wimborne, Dorset seeks a part-time Collections Assistant to care for the historic house’s artefacts and furniture. You’ll clean, monitor environmental conditions, record details, and greet visitors, helping make every visit memorable. Weekend work is required; transport recommended due to rural location.

Experience with handling delicate objects and strong attention to detail will help you thrive in this role within a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Good hand-to-eye skills; comfortable working from ladders or scaffold towers.
• Flexible and adaptable in a changing environment.
• Focused on delivering great service to visitors.
• Team player who can also work independently.
• Well-organised and versatile.
• Willing to learn new skills.

Responsibilities

• Clean and care for precious collections, textiles and furniture.
• Monitor environmental conditions and signs of wear.
• Keep accurate records; support volunteers.
• Talk to visitors about the work and the collections.
• Some weekend work will be required.

Skills

Hand-eye coordination

Flexible/adaptable

Customer service

Team player

Organised

Willing to learn

Job description

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 precious 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.

Salary: £13.25 per hour

Contract: Permanent

Hours / working pattern: Part-time, 15 hours per week. This role will include weekend working.

Interview date: Monday 12th October 2026

Start date: w/c 26th October 2026

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

The outstanding art collection is one of the main attractions to this beautiful Italian-inspired mansion. As one of the National Trust’s ‘Discovery Houses’, the 45 strong team have exciting times ahead as they embark on major conservation projects to preserve this 8,500 estate and its rare collection of artefacts. A Japanese garden and tearoom and community growing spaces are also among the key attractions at Kingston Lacy. The property has a rural location, so it’s likely you will require your own transport to get here.

For more information about our property please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy

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 precious 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 and providing support to our Collections and House volunteers when needed. Some weekend working will be required.

It's a role that’s all about people as well, so 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

• 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

Kingston Lacy Estate, Kingston Lacy, Wimborne, BH21 4EA

Documents

Collections Assistant - Grade 10 - Career Level A2.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Closing Date

4th October 2026

Interview date

Monday 12th October 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.