Visited by well over a million people a year, Westminster Abbey is a working church, top London tourist attraction, and UNESCO World Heritage site. Our varied collection spans over a thousand years and contains artefacts and monuments of national and international significance.
We want to expand our Conservation Housekeeping team and are looking to recruit additional permanent positions. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a dedicated and highly trained group of specialists who work alongside the Abbey conservators to help preserve the historic interiors and artefacts of Westminster Abbey.
Housekeeping forms the backbone of conservation practice at Westminster Abbey and poses an interesting set of challenges, many unique to the Abbey, not least because much of our historic collection is still used for the purpose it was made.
On a daily basis, the team follow bespoke timetables designed to conserve and protect museum status objects and fragile historic interiors, respond to the effects of mass tourism and meet the demands of a busy working church. In joining our team, you will play a key role in preparing for many important national services and help preserve this incredible building for future generations.
Key Responsibilities include
- To undertake conservation housekeeping in the historic interiors and exteriors of Westminster Abbey including specialist cleaning of painted and gilded surfaces, historic stonework, woodwork, monuments, carvings, historic floors, and other decorative features
- To care for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries and objects on display there, artefacts in storage and historic items regularly used as part of the liturgy
- To monitor and log change and damage to the historic fabric in your care through routine checking
- Assist the Preventive Conservator with the Integrated Pest Management
- Be a member of the WA Salvage Team
About You
- Experience in a similar role within a heritage organisation, such as Heritage Cleaner, Housekeeper, Collection Care Assistant
- An understanding of conservation housekeeping practices
- Enthusiasm for the care of historic buildings
- Good attention to detail
- Organised, self-motivated and diligent
- Good communication skills with excellent spoken English
- Able to work at heights
For the full details see Job Description
Working Hours
These are 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Onsite Arrangements
Working on site each day is the default expectation for all staff to promote collaboration and connection.
Annual Holidays
The full-time holiday entitlement is 33 days per annum, including recognised public holidays.
Staff Discount
All employees receive a 20% discount on purchases from the Westminster Abbey shop and a 30% discount on purchases from the take-away catering outlets.
Pension Scheme and Life Assurance
All employees can join a Group Personal Pension plan, where the minimum employee contribution is 3% and the maximum employer contribution is 9% (as determined by the level of the employee contribution). You will be auto-enrolled into our qualifying workplace pension scheme after 3 months, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
All employees are covered by death-in-service life assurance, whether or not they choose to join the pension scheme.
Season Ticket Loan
A season ticket loan is offered after completion of the probationary period, repayable over 10 months.
Safeguarding
Westminster Abbey is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. To prevent them from harm, we undertake appropriate checks (including the relevant level of criminal record check) on staff and volunteers and require them to complete relevant safeguarding training. This post requires a basic level criminal record check.