Welcome & Service Assistant

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

Job summary

A leading heritage organization seeks a Welcome & Service Assistant in Reading to deliver outstanding customer service. You'll engage with visitors, answer queries, and support property events to enhance their experience. The ideal candidate is customer-focused, adaptable, and eager to learn. This part-time position offers opportunities to promote inclusivity and excellent service. Salary is £12.75 per hour, with various employee benefits and a commitment to diversity.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Workplace discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at most Trust places

Qualifications

• Customer-focused attitude with an understanding of great service.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Strong organisational skills and adaptability.
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver excellent customer service to visitors.
• Answer queries and provide information to enhance visitor experience.
• Assist in various aspects of visitor engagement and property events.
• Promote a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.

Skills

Customer focused

Team player

Well organised

Adaptable

Willing to learn

Positive attitude

Job description

Welcome & Service Assistant

Location: Reading

Reference: IRC168345

Salary: 12.75 per hour

Closing Date: 14-DEC-2025

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Part Time

About the Role

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

• Customer focused with an understanding of the importance of great service
• A team player, but also can work on your own initiative
• Well organised and adaptable
• Willing to learn new skills
• Have a positive attitude

Reporting to the Welcome Manager Hamish Patterson, you'll be part of a team of other Welcome and Service Assistants working at Thames Valley properties which are Basildon Park, Greys Court and Nuffield Place. Day to day, you'll deliver a great all-round customer service experience. You'll be on hand answering queries and listen to what our visitors need so you can share the right information. Your role is to make sure our visitors have the best day they can. You'll have the chance to be involved in different aspects of the visitor experience, from key property events to social media promotion - no two days are the same.

Great visitor experiences are in our nature, and we believe everyone should feel welcomed, appreciated and more engaged because of the excellent service you provide. This role would suit anyone with enthusiasm for delivering great customer service. 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.

Our Commitment

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: 14 December 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, i.e. due to technical difficulties, 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. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity.

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. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

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

Job Details

Reference: 168345

Location: Reading

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Part Time (22.5 hrs pw)

Salary: 12.75 per hour

Eligibility to Work in the UK: Required