Welcome & Service Team Leader North & West Dorset Houses

In this visitor facing role, you will be responsible for the opening and closing of Hardy’s House Max Gate, Hardy’s Cottage and Clouds Hill. This includes being a key holder and supervising the site for the day, often working alone.

Salary: £11.64 per hour. This salary will be applicable from 1st April 2024.

Contract/duration: Permanent annualised contract of 1048 hours

Hours/working pattern: We anticipate 3 or 4 shifts of 7.5 hours per week during the open period (March to October). A small amount of the annualised hours will be allocated to support conservation over the closed period (November to February).

Reporting to the Welcome Manager, you’ll be part of a welcome team working across the literary houses of Thomas Hardy (Hardy’s Cottage and Max Gate) and T.E. Lawrence (Clouds Hill). You will be an excellent team player helping to create a great place for your colleagues (staff and volunteers) to work in.

Investing in you

We want you to learn, discover and develop your career. And we’ll do everything we can to offer you the training and support that you need to achieve your goals. We’ll work with you to plan your development in a way that’s right for your needs.  

You will provide an exceptional experience for visitors of all audiences and volunteers. Everyone should feel welcomed, appreciated and more engaged because of the service and welcome you provide. You will assist in the delivery of guided tours which celebrate Thomas Hardy and T.E. Lawrence and meet the needs of your visitors and volunteers. You will actively promote ways to support the National Trust, including membership and fundraising. Flexible across all areas of the properties, you will be involved in supporting all aspects of the property operation, including regular conservation cleaning duties and occasionally helping with gardening, supporting risk management, and developing the visitor experience offer.

• Flexible with own transport as we cover three properties 

• Confident and capable of working unsupervised 

• Well organised people person and adaptable in managing situations

• A team player but equally able to work confidently on own initiative 

• Customer service focussed understanding the importance of a great welcome and experience

• Enthusiastic and willing to learn

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)

• Tax-free childcare scheme

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• 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

• Independent financial advice

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