Programming Assistant

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; Wimborne Minster; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to NT places for you and a

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Discounts (gym, shopping, cinema)

Holiday allowance 32 days + purchase

Flexible working when possible

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at NT locations

Job summary

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty is seeking staff to assist in delivering a programme of activities and events at Kingston Lacy Estate, Wimborne. The role focuses on creating an enjoyable visitor experience and connecting activities to the Trust's ongoing conservation work.

You will work weekends and flexible hours on a seasonal, zero-hour contract, with an online assessment in place for the application process. A vehicle may be necessary due to the rural location.

Qualifications

• Good communication skills with a wide range of people.
• Team player but able to work independently.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing schedules.
• Commitment to great service and visitor experience.
• Willing to learn new things and develop.
• Well organised with strong time management.

Responsibilities

• Create and deliver events and activities to engage visitors year-round.
• Ensure high standards of presentation on site and clear visitor communications.
• Link activities to the Trust's cause and ongoing work.
• Refer to the full role profile for potential scope of duties.

Skills

Good communication

Team player

Adaptable

Excellent service

Willingness to learn

Time management

Job description

Summary

This role is required to work with vulnerable groups including children and any offer of employment or volunteering is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check. You’ll assist in the delivery and development of a programme of activities and events. By doing so, you’ll help to create an enjoyable experience for everyone that visits and help them understand more about our place.

Salary: £13.25 per hour

Contract/duration: Fixed term contract until 10-Jan-2027

Hours/working pattern: Seasonal, flexible, weekends. This is a zero-hour contract, meaning we can’t guarantee a set number of hours each week. While we aim to provide a consistent work pattern, flexibility is needed as schedules may change based on business needs. We’ll try to give as much notice as possible. The role includes weekends and Bank Holidays but does not require evening or split shifts. 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 ‘treasure 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

Working with the team you'll create and deliver events and activities that bring our place to life for our visitors all year round.Understanding how and why we engage our supporters is key. You’ll help link everything we do back to our cause and the on-going work we do. You’ll deliver high standards of presentation on site and ensure all our communications with our visitors around the property is clear and consistent. You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of 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 have:

• good communication skills, building relationships with a wide range of people
• a team player, but can also work by yourself
• adaptable and have a flexible approach
• an understanding of the importance of great service
• keen to learn new things
• well organised and able to manage time well

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

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 8th November 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.