Collections 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 Assistant to join our team at Apsley House. The role is part time and permanent. You'll be working 21 hours per week over Mondays, Tuesdays and another weekday day of your choice.

The Benefits

- Salary from £26,280 depending on skills and experience

- 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 for anyone who loves working with, and caring for, collections and interiors of exceptional historic significance.

As Collections Assistant, you will carry out the conservation cleaning and assist with curatorial projects at the Wellington Collection, Apsley House.

Working with the Keeper of the Wellington Collection, you will plan and carry out the weekly, monthly and quarterly cleaning tasks in the historic rooms at Aspley House, as well as planning and leading the winter deep clean. You will also work with our Visitor Assistants to ensure that the daily cleaning of the house is completed to the highest standard. In addition you will support the Keeper with exhibition planning and delivery, managing our collection store, object documentation and record keeping in our archive.

To be considered as a Collection Assistant you'll need:

Experience of working in a historic house or museum

Experience in conservation cleaning and art handling at a historic house or museum

Knowledge of conservation practices

Good administrative and organisational skills

The ability to work independently and as part of a team

To be comfortable working at height and in confined spaces

Interviews will be held on Monday 10th November at Apsley House

If you would like to talk to us e.g. about workplace adjustments or working patterns, please contact Olivia Fryman, Keeper of the Wellington Collection, on [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.