Holidays Operation Assistant

National Trust; Colchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization in Colchester is seeking a Holidays Operation Assistant to ensure cottages are clean and welcoming for guests. Responsibilities include cleaning, reporting repairs, and maintaining supplies. The position offers £12.25 per hour and various benefits, including a pension scheme and flexible working options.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Flexible working options

Employee assistance programme

Responsibilities

• Ensure cleanliness and readiness of cottages on changeover days.
• Report repairs or odd jobs that need attention.
• Replace broken items from store supplies.

Skills

Focused on giving great service

Team player

Well-organised

Willing to learn new skills

Job description

Holidays Operation Assistant

Location: Colchester

Reference: IRC168082

Salary: £12.25 per hour

Posted: 3rd Nov

Closing Date: 16‑NOV‑2025

Type: Permanent, Part Time

We'd love to hear from you if you're:

• Focused on giving great service to everyone you meet
• A team player, but also happy to work on your own initiative
• Well‑organised and adaptable
• Willing to learn new skills

As a Holidays Operation Assistant, you will ensure that everything is pristine and ready for the next guests to arrive on changeover days. This includes:

• Making sure the cottage is thoroughly cleaned, well‑presented, and welcoming
• Keeping an eye out for anything that’s not as it should be and reporting any repairs or odd jobs that need doing
• Replacing any broken items from the store supplies if necessary

Full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided for all teams, and extra measures are in place to protect staff. 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.

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.

Benefits:

• 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
• 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

Closing Date: 16th November 2025

To apply for this vacancy, simply click the 'apply' button in the top right-hand side of the page. If you need any help with your application, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [e-mail]. If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [e-mail] and we'll support you as best as we can.

Equal Opportunities Statement: The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination.

Safeguarding Statement: The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment process 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.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.

Important notice: In line with our redeployment policy, we'll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

As a Holiday Cottage Cleaner for Thorington Hall and Lodge, your role could not be more important in ensuring our guests are provided with the perfect stay from the moment they arrive. You'll be joining a small but excellent team to deliver this. With all year‑round work, the regular changeover days do not always fall on the same days, but they are predominantly Mondays and Fridays. Flexibility will be required, however, as well as Saturday work on a rota basis. Rotas are issued in advance, and we try to accommodate other commitments where possible. Because the cottages are in a rural area, please think about how you’d be able to get here for work before you apply for this job.

Internally you'll be known as a Holidays Operation Assistant. 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.

Location: Thorington Hall, Mill Lane, Colchester, CO6 4SS

Compliance: Eligibility to Work in the UK

Salary: £12.25 per hour