Collections & House Officer - National Trust : Job Details

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 the Collections and House Officer at Sutton House, bringing to life the history and significance of this much-loved place. 

Salary: £31,258 inclusive of an inner London weighting of £4,465

Contract/duration: Until February 2026

Hours/working pattern: 37.5 hours per week. This role will include some weekend and evening work (as part of a duty management rota, visitor programme activity and event delivery).

Interviews for this position will take place on Wed 4 June at Sutton House.

Reporting to the House & Gardens Manager, you’ll be part of a small team of 5 staff working at Sutton House. Your colleagues will include the Welcome Manager, Senior Programming & Partnerships Officer, and Welcome & Service Assistant; plus a dedicated team of volunteers working across departments.

Sutton House is the oldest residential building in East London, and its history reflects the changing conditions of Hackney, from a village in the 16th century, to an inner London borough in the 21st. A short walk from Hackney Central station, Sutton House today provides space for the local community, in addition to a busy visitor operation on Fridays and Sundays.

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. You'll also manage a dedicated team of conservation volunteers, ensuring they have the support and guidance necessary to care for the property.

You'll be responsible for and lead on 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.

You will also work on compliance tasks throughout the building, ensuring the property is safe for visitors, staff and volunteers. This role will also be responsible for managing contractor visits to site, and ensuring regular works are completed without compromising the community and visitor operation, conservation standards, or safety.

We'd love to hear from you if you’re: 

• 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 

•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.