Overview
Collections & House Officer – Knightshayes Court,Tiverton, United Kingdom
Are you someone who cares deeply about achieving high standards, and helping to make beauty and history accessible to all? If so, you could become a Collections and House Officer at Knightshayes, bringing to life the history and significance of this much-loved place.
Salary: £27,612 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours/ working pattern: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week.
Interview date: 1st October 2026
Accommodation is provided to the postholder for the proper or better performance of their duties in accordance with Trust criteria and HMRC rules
Over the past four years, the visitor experience at this grand gothic revival house has been transformed by introducing a year-round programme of events, activities and entertainment. The ambitious 40-member team has further plans to grow and develop Knightshayes’ visitor offer and welcome creative customer-focused people to join the team. The property has one of the finest gardens in Devon with a vast plant collection and walled garden which supplies produce to the estate’s Stables Café.
For more information about our property please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes-court
As the Collections and House Officer, you’ll be responsible for opening the house every day, and making sure there are enough people in the right places to give visitors a consistently good experience.
Supervised by a Collections and House Manager, you’ll be responsible for routine conservation, preventive conservation and the annual programme of deep cleaning. Your attention and expertise will help to ensure excellent standards of care throughout the house.
You’ll collect and record information gathered during cleaning and housekeeping, to improve our knowledge and understanding of the house and all that’s in it. You’ll use preventive conservation methods to improve how we look after everything, and how we present it to visitors.
The roll will include line management of volunteers and supervision of Collections Assistants.
The working pattern of this role is alternate weekends.
- someone who puts people first, and who knows what’s needed to make sure everyone receives great service
- able to work as part of a team, with skills in day-to-day supervision and management
- good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people
- comfortable with managing costs and spending
- full of ideas about how to make spaces and objects accessible to more visitors
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.
Knightshayes Court, Bolham, Tiverton, EX16 7RQ
Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Closing Date: 27th September 2026
To apply for this vacancy simply click the ‘apply’ button in the top right hand side of the page.
If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we’ll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.
Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
