Visitor Experience Officer

Being a Visitor Experience Officer for the National Trust is all about people – connecting with them, inspiring them, and making sure they have the best possible day when they come to visit. We have an exciting maternity cover opportunity to join the small team at Mompesson House for the 2025 season. In 2025 the house will be celebrating the Regency era and the 30th anniversary of the filming of Sense and Sensibility at Mompesson, as well as taking part in the National Trust's Festival of Blossom. You will also have the chance to get involved in developing a Regency-inspired Christmas offer.

This is an annualised hours contract, working 1365 hours a year. When Mompesson is open to visitors, you will be working four days a week (Monday-Wednesday and one weekend day). When the house is closed, you will work 2 days a week (days tbd). You'll also be part of the duty management team rota, acting as the duty manager one day a week and covering holidays.

This is a fixed term contract due to end when the previous employee returns from maternity leave. At this point we cannot confirm exactly how long this contract will last, but it is unlikely to be more than 12 months.

What it's like to work here

You’ll be reporting to the Site Manager, working alongside a small team of 8 people at Mompesson House in Salisbury's beautiful Cathedral Close.

Visiting Salisbury’s Cathedral Close, you step back into a past world. Mompesson House, which featured in the film Sense and Sensibility, has a warm and inviting atmosphere and many different families have called the house ‘home’.

The sense of tranquillity is enhanced by the magnificent plasterwork, graceful oak staircase and fine period furniture, which are the main features of this quintessential Queen Anne townhouse. Mompesson has one of the finest displays of English 18th century drinking glasses. The garden, with its traditional herbaceous borders and pergola, is an oasis of calm.

What you'll be doing

As Visitor Experience Officer, your main focus will be on providing a great service for visitors. You’ll be welcoming people and inspiring them to really get to know Mompesson House. This might include devising and running events and activities, and creating interpretive displays and other ways of bringing the place, and its stories, to life for everyone who comes here. You'll encourage visitors to take a closer look at artworks or precious objects cared for by the Trust.

You'll be supervising and supporting volunteers and checking standards of presentation on site. You’ll also be responsible for managing Mompesson's second-hand bookshop, helping to write for our web pages and updating Mompesson's social media accounts.

Who we're looking for

We'd love to hear from you if you’re:

• used to multiple deadlines and managing your own workload
• skilled in organisation and planning, with a good eye for detail
• good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people
• a hard-working and committed team player
• comfortable with IT: Microsoft Office, as well as web and social media
• experienced in producing interpretive materials, such as displays and exhibitions, and marketing or promotional materials
• familiar with health and safety procedures

The package

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
• 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