Collections Assistant

Summary

The contract is part time and permanent, and the hourly rate is £13.25. Your working time will be 22.50 hours each week. The employer, National Trust, is a charity. You will be based at Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens, which is an estate, which could mean diversity in the role. Note some estates are far from public transport. It is located in Lincolnshire.

Closing date 26-04-2026

Job Description

We’re looking for someone with a love of history and an eye for detail, who’s friendly and open with people. This role is about looking after a historic house and its collections of precious objects, furniture and works of art. And it’s about presenting all of this to people visiting, and helping to make every person’s day memorable and enjoyable.

You'll be working 22.5 hours per week, including Sundays. You'll work on Sunday from 8am-12:30pm and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday you'll work 8am-2:30pm. There is flexibility in the role and the hours can be tweaked slightly, by both sides if required, but Sunday is a must.

Interview Date: 5th May 2026

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.

Modest-sized rooms full of character and charm make it easy to imagine you can move in yourself. With links to Tennyson, Darwin and Vaughan-Williams there is so much to discover about the family home of the Massingberd family.

Gunby has a charming tea-room where our visitors can enjoy a slice of cake and a nice cuppa. The tea-room also acts as our shop, selling a range of the most popular National Trust gifts and treats including handmade items created from Gunby wood.

Click here for more information about this location

As a Collections Assistant, you’ll be working with a supportive housekeeping team in an inspiring historic setting. You’ll be helping with the day-to-day cleaning and care of the precious collections of objects, works of art, textiles and furniture that are part of the house’s history. You’ll be alert to details and changes, and will keep a keen eye on everything from the environmental conditions in a room to any signs of wear and tear. You’ll also be keeping accurate records. Providing support to our Collections and House volunteers when needed.

It's a role that’s all about people as well, so you’ll be talking to visitors about the work you’re doing and the collections you help to look after.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all 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.

We’d love to hear from you if you're:

  • good hand-to-eye skills, and happy to work from ladders or scaffold towers
  • comfortable working in a flexible and adaptable way
  • focused on giving great service to everyone you meet
  • a team player, but also happy to work on your own initiative
  • well-organised and versatile
  • willing to learn new skills.

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

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.

Disclaimer
Every effort has made to reproduce the original job advert faithfully, but errors may occur. At any time job vacancies may be withdrawn or closed prior to the original date advertised. For the definitive description, requirements, and for application instructions please see the original advert; you will be redirected to another website.