Security Support Receptionist

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

University pension scheme

Travel benefits

Job summary

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is hiring a part-time Security Receptionist to welcome staff and visitors, manage enquiries, and support day-to-day operations at the staff entrance. You will combine reception, security, and customer service in a busy, public environment.

You should have previous reception or front-of-house experience, strong communication, and good organisational skills. Training opportunities include security licences and first aid; benefits include generous holiday entitlement

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a reception, front of house or customer-facing role is essential.
• Experience within a museum, heritage or public sector environment would be advantageous but is not essential.
• You will be approachable, reliable and able to stay calm when busy.

Responsibilities

• Welcoming staff, visitors, contractors and couriers and providing a professional reception service.
• Managing telephone calls, emails and enquiries and resolving or escalating them as needed.
• Operating visitor and key management systems.

Skills

Reception

Customer service

Communication

Organisation

Tools

Visitor management system

Key management system

Job description

UK date and time: 05-November-2026 14:07

Be part of the team behind one of the world's great museums.

Would you enjoy working somewhere where history, art and culture are part of everyday life?

The Ashmolean Museum is looking for a friendly, organised and dependable part-time Security Receptionist to join our team.

This permanent part-time role is 22.484 hours per week (0.616 FTE), working Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 to 15:30.

Opened in 1683 as Britain’s first public museum and the world’s first university museum, the Ashmolean is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology and home to internationally significant collections spanning thousands of years of human history.

As our Security Receptionist, you will play an important part in the daily life of the Museum, helping us provide a professional, safe, secure and welcoming environment for everyone who works with and visits us.

This is a varied and responsible role at the heart of the Museum’s day-to-day operations. You will be a trusted point of contact for colleagues and everyone arriving through the staff entrance.

The role

Working as part of the security team, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the staff reception desk.

You will welcome staff, visitors, contractors and couriers, respond to enquiries and help ensure that people entering the Museum receive a professional and helpful service.

This is a varied role combining reception, security, customer service, administration and operational support. Your responsibilities will include:

• Welcoming staff, visitors, contractors and couriers and providing a professional reception service
• Managing telephone calls, emails and enquiries and resolving or escalating them appropriately
• Operating visitor management and key management systems

About you

Previous experience in a reception, front of house or customer-facing role is essential. Experience within a museum, heritage or similar public sector environment would be advantageous but is not essential.

We are looking for someone who is approachable, reliable and comfortable dealing with a wide range of people.

You will enjoy providing excellent service, take pride in getting the details right and be able to remain calm and professional when things get busy.

You will have:

• Previous experience in a reception, front of house or customer-facing role
• Strong written and verbal communication and customer service skills
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing tasks accurately

Opportunities for further training may include relevant security licences and first aid qualifications.

As part of the University of Oxford and the Ashmolean Museum, you will have access to a wide range of staff benefits, including a generous holiday entitlement, University pension scheme and travel benefits, including discounted bus and train travel.

Why join the Ashmolean?

You will be joining a supportive team in one of Oxford’s most distinctive working environments. Your contribution will be visible and valued, whether you are welcoming colleagues and visitors, helping the Museum operate smoothly or responding when something unexpected happens.

Every shift contributes to the safe, secure and successful operation of a Museum that has welcomed people since 1683.

Applications close at 12:00 GMT on Monday 16th November 2026. Interview are expected to take place on the weekcommencing 30th November 2026