Collections Conservation Assistant

Heritage is for everybody, and we are here for heritage.

Heritage lives in places and people, memories and stories, artefacts and traditions. It can connect us all to the past, and to each other. It can make us happier, strengthen every community, and help shape society for the better. Everybody should be able to enjoy the benefits it brings.

That's why, as a charity, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England, from international icons to local treasures. And it's why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create.

We are looking for a Collections Conservation Assistant to join our team. The role is part time and permanent, working 14.4 hours per week (which could be two full days or split across the week, subject to discussion).

The Benefits

• Salary from £26,017, depending on skills, experience and location
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, pro rata, rising to 28 days after 3 years
• Matched pension contributions up to 10%
• Flexible hours
• The opportunity to progress your career within the heritage sector
• Apprenticeship opportunities
• Subscriptions to professional bodies
• Free access to all English Heritage sites for you and up to six friends and family members
• 25% discount in our shops and cafes
• Enhanced maternity, paternity or shared parental leave
• Options to buy additional leave
• An inclusive working atmosphere everybody is supported from all backgrounds, religions and with different needs
• Opportunities to go to some of our great live music and history events

This is a great opportunity to care for some of English Heritage's most significant collections and to work at some wonderful sites across London, notably Kenwood House and Chiswick House.

As the Collections Conservation Assistant for North London, you will work closely with the Collections Conservation team and be responsible for conservation cleaning of historic artefacts and interiors, including planning and completion of conservation cleaning schedules.
You will also undertake other preventive conservation work such as; checking environmental data, insect pest monitoring, responding to emergencies, installing protection and providing supervision during filming, events and building work. You will provide training and support to site staff and volunteers relating to preventive conservation.

To be considered as a Collections Conservation Assistant, you'll need:

Experience of undertaking conservation cleaning/housekeeping work of historic collections and interiors in a historic house or museum setting.
Excellent manual dexterity/craft skills with a patient but efficient approach to completing tasks.
Experience of packing and handling historic artefacts
Experience of working and managing volunteers
Awareness of collections care activities including insect pest management and environmental monitoring.

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 23 June at Kenwood House

If you would like to talk to us e.g. about workplace adjustments or working patterns, please contact Rebecca Bennett, Collections Conservator (London) on 07769 363 465 or [email protected]. No agencies please.

Find out more about us and what we do: You can also meet some of our people and hear about why they enjoy working with us:

Everybody's welcome at English Heritage

Forget the stereotypes. It takes thousands of people from every background to care for England's heritage and open it up for everybody to enjoy. We're looking for every type of person with every kind of skill and experience, and we're committed to making sure that English Heritage is an equitable, diverse and inclusive place to work. You can connect with others through our EDI networks as a member or ally. These include Ethnic Diversity, Faith & Belief, Social Equity, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergence, Age, Disability and Gender Health and Wellbeing.

We take wellbeing seriously. We are committed to ensuring everyone feels safe at work and can carry out their role. To support this, we have a network of Mental Health First aiders, regular information and awareness events, unlimited access to an Employee Assistance Programme and work with our people to implement reasonable adjustments.