Visitor Services

Glasgow Life is looking for an Assistant Curator (Visitor Studies) to join us on a full-time, fixed term contract for a period up to 3 years, until July 2027.
More about the People’s Palace and our Museum team
As an Assistant Curator (Visitor Studies) you’ll be joining our Glasgow Life Museums team working on the exciting transformation project of the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens. The project will develop and create a community-led museum to become of one of the world’s most socially engaged and internationally significant local museums. With Glasgow’s social history at its heart, we will reintegrate the glasshouse and museum, to create a dynamic museum offer with new flexible space and facilities that meet audience needs. The building will be restored, will be more environmentally sustainable and help put the east end of Glasgow more on the tourist map. Our museums are committed to making sure people experience our world-class collections and have the chance to engage with our rich heritage. The cultural programmes we provide bring value to people’s lives. Read more on our website: https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums
The role
As an Assistant Curator (Visitor Studies) you’ll be an integral part of the team by assisting in planning and implementing audience research and evaluation to shape the redevelopment project. Key responsibilities include assisting the Visitor Studies Curator with the design and delivery of audience research, supporting a range of project staff in collaborating with community groups and individuals, coordinating and carrying out project assignments, and working collaboratively with internal and external partners / agencies. We are keen to hear from candidates with a professional, flexible, and collaborative team-working style combined with excellent planning and organisational skills.
The candidate
If you’re interested in joining us as an Assistant Curator (Visitor Studies) you’ll need:
• Experience of working in museums/education/community sectors or in market or audience research
• Strong qualitative research and/or facilitation skills
• Ability to work with diverse audience groups
• Ability to work with a range of staff and volunteers as part of a team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
You can read the full person specification for this role under the ‘Job Attachments’ section.
This post is city wide however your primary location will be Riverside Museum with occasional working at the People’s Palace and locations across the city.
Our Riverside office has good links to public transport and a staff parking area.
This role is working Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with some occasional weekend and evening work required.
We believe in the transformational power of the programmes and events we provide for the people and visitors of Glasgow. If you would like to be a part of what we do, we’d love to hear from you.
Important Dates: Closing date 21 July 2024 and interviews are provisionally scheduled for w/c 5 August 2024.
Benefits at Glasgow Life
• A holiday allowance of 30 days plus 6.5 public holidays (for full-time roles). This will rise to 35 days after 5 years
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme – which pays 19.3% in employer contributions
• Discounted Glasgow Club membership and money off in our museum shops and online store
• Option to buy extra annual leave
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Flexible retirement
• Family-friendly policies
Membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme will be essential on taking up appointment. Please note successful candidates for the above position will be required to pay for their PVG Membership/or Scheme Checks.
For Fixed Term Roles – If offer is made to internal employee (Glasgow Life or Council Family), at the end of the temporary period, eligible employees, if agreed will have a right to return to a role at their substantive grade within the council family.
About Glasgow Life
Glasgow Life is the charity which inspires people to lead richer, more active lives through culture and sport. Simply put, we believe that everyone deserves a great Glasgow life. We do this by delivering innovative cultural and sporting programmes and events which improve the mental, physical, and economic well-being of Glasgow. Glasgow Life also creates unforgettable experiences for tourists, strengthening the city’s visitor economy. We help put on world-class events, conferences and festivals which enhance Glasgow’s international reputation.
Diversity matters at Glasgow Life
We’re determined to reflect the extraordinary diversity of Glasgow in our workforce. Glasgow Life is on a journey to develop a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. Where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We’re a Disability Confident and Carer Positive employer and invite candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Read more about our commitment to equality and diversity on our website. https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/the-small-print/an-inclusive-employer

To apply for this vacancy online please visit https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/glasgow/glasgow-life/jobs/assistant-curator-visitor-studies-fixed-term-386907
Closing date is 11.59pm on Sunday 21st July 2024

Information is available in alternative formats, on request.

JOB PURPOSE

To provide operational coordination and supervision of catering, retail, visitor services, and events at in line with the Trust’s policies, priorities, performance standards and targets to contribute to the enjoyment of the property by visitors and members, and help ensure commercial, financial, and conservation objectives are achieved.

The Visitor Services Supervisor at a Trust property plays a pivotal role ensuring that the management objectives are achieved through excellent customer service. With delegated responsibility for catering, retail, events and duty management this job is very often the “face” of the Trust to visitors and suppliers, directly influencing public perceptions of the Trust and is crucial to developing and maintaining the property’s local/national reputation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Supervising/undertaking the day-to-day operation of the Castle and gardens to ensure an excellent customer/visitor experience. This includes supervision of:

Visitor services, catering, events and retail offer (including ordering, merchandising, sales targets).

Line management of Visitor Services Assistants and volunteers.

Duty management and oversight/maintenance of the property.

Ensure the property social media is managed to generate interest, engagement and help drive visitors.

Deliver the schools programme to meet the targets for number of visits, revenue generated.

Support the informal learning and community engagement / outreach activity.

Ticketing & Membership sales (to targets) and general customer service (individuals, education visits, other groups).

Security of the Property.

Health & Safety procedures, emergency procedures, and environmental procedures.

Deputising for the Visitor Services Manager / Operations Manager on-site and off-site as required.

Responsible for day to day financial administration at the property, including:

Ensuring the completion of Cash/till reconciliation.

Week-end reports and reconciliation.

Completion of the banking and all cash handling processes.

Supporting the Visitor Services Manager with:

recruitment; induction; development; and management of all visitor services employees and volunteers such that they understand and are equipped to fulfill their roles to the standards required and that they feel valued, respected and supported.

Thank you for your interest in the post of steward with Historic Environment Scotland, based at Iona Abbey and Nunnery. This is a permanent pensionable appointment.

Our steward role ensures delivery of the highest standards of visitor experience at Iona Abbey and Nunnery working across all areas, including in the shop, admissions area and outside, with delivery of guided tours a core part of the role.

We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment; a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We’re at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impact of climate change on its future. We investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. We have a People Strategy, which is an overarching strategy to ensure we support and develop staff within the organisation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

The key responsibilities and accountabilities of the job are:

Organise, facilitate and deliver engaging training programs to support Visitor Services Assistants in the delivery of formal, informal programs and guided tours.

Take hands-on approach to delivery leading by example.

To support the Visitor Services Manager Engagement in the development, production, delivery, and evaluation of engaging, inclusive formal and informal learning programs both on site and digital.

Collaborate in creating social media and digital learning content.

Ensure detailed records are kept of formal and informal programs.

Ensure all activities undertaken are fully risk assessed and delivered with a H+S culture.

Support the delivery of targeted projects, which can at times be off site, and aimed at specific audiences.

Assist in planning and delivery of small events and projects.

Duty Management on a rota system.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

As a Collections Care Assistant, you will be responsible for the planning and day-to-day care of collections, along with managing reactive situations and support with long term planning at (insert property name)

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that best preventive conservation and collections care practices are followed through the implementation of an effective collections care regime in line with Trust policies and procedures.

The role will include engaging with visitors about the collection care work of the National Trust for Scotland when undertaking cleaning activities in the house but also work with events team to develop collection based educational events for children and adults.

The post holder will also work closely with the function and event team ensuring all functions and events are operated in such a manner as to minimise risk to the collection without compromising the event itself.

The post holder will be part of a wider team of employees and volunteers, helping to support the property where necessary.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Collections Care Assistant is responsible for a wide variety of duties in connection with the care of the property. These duties involve the correct handling and conservation-cleaning of the collections following best-practice at all times and general housekeeping duties throughout the House and other buildings.

Specific duties include:

Manage Integrated Pest Management, Environmental Monitoring & Control Systems, Housekeeping Plans and collections handling and protection, collections management processes; proactively action reported recommendations for treatments and improvements.

Carry out conservation cleaning of collections including conducting a deep clean over the winter period.

Member of the properties senior operational team assisting with duty management cover.

Recruit and manage a volunteer collections team.

Develop new specific volunteering roles within the collections team such as textiles, storage, research, and visitor engagement.

Create and lead on a regular events schedule for collection themed events, showcases and workshops.

Develop educational opportunities for all ages through children’s activities, specialised workshops and interactive tours.

Work with external educational and community groups to create specialised events and grow visitor numbers.

Grow and improve current interpretation of the castle’s history and collection.

Working closely with the regional conservator to carry out remedial conservation on the collection.

Provide training to staff on safe handling of collections, information relating to collections and relevant historical information.

Lead on the use of Trust systems to monitor the condition and security of the collections and interiors across the cluster ensuring any damage, deterioration or threats to the collections are promptly reported and mitigated.

Lead on the collections care aspects of functions, events, filming, building works and general visitor experience improvements across the cluster. Work with other property team members to ensure that the care of the collections and interiors is not compromised.

Work closely with the Regional Conservator to improve and develop the collections care and preventive conservation practices across the cluster and to assist in remedial conservation as required.

Work closely with the Regional Curator to assist with the presentation, interpretation and access to collections and interiors.

Work closely with the Collections Services Team, to ensure that the Trust’s object movement and location audit procedures are maintained, updated, and adhered to so that location inventory information remains accurate. Completing room audits and ensure condition checks are carried out.

Work with the regional curator to update records, improve visitor experience through the layout and interpretation of the collection.

Work closely as required with the Trust’s Registrar (Loans & Disposals) to ensure the safe management of all long loans in and temporary loans in and out of properties in the cluster;

Liaise with the Trusts Archivist to conduct research and to maintain and care for the property archives.

Develop knowledge and understanding of the collections and be a passionate advocate for widening access and engaging visitors;

Work with the wider estate to create a holistic and richer visitor experience.

Eden Scott are delighted to be working with Dunnottar Castle, for over 600 years the Castle has hosted some of the most dramatic events in Scottish history, and has been graced by some of the most influential (controversial) characters -Oliver Cromwell, William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots to name but three.

The Castle is owned by Dunecht Estates and is internationally recognised as one of Scotland’s most iconic visitor destinations – often referred to as the 8th wonder of the world.

We are actively recruiting a Castle Manager to oversee the day-to-day visitor operation and lead their dedicated team of Custodians.

Dunnottar Castle is a world-renowned tourist attraction that has played host to some of the most significant events in Scottish history and holds many secrets to its colourful past.

Once an impregnable fortress, the Castle is now largely a ruin and a Scheduled Ancient Monument, yet its location some 150ft above a rocky outcrop in the North Sea still provides a powerful, haunting, and dramatic backdrop for the >120,000 visitors they welcome each year.

The Castle Manager will have operational oversight of the Castle on a day-today basis and lead a dedicated team of Custodians who maintain their consistently high standards of service delivery and visitor experience. Dunnottar Castle is owned and operated by Dunecht Estates.

As the Castle Manager you will be based at Dunnottar Lodge, Stonehaven, where you will have operational oversight of the Castle on a day-to-day basis. Your will report to the Head of Rural Enterprises and work closely with other Estate departments that are key to their success including their Finance and Maintenance team.

Responsibilities include:

Leadership and Management:
Operational Oversight:
Financial Performance:
Guest Experience:
Strategic Planning:
Marketing and Public Relations:
Facility Management:
Community Engagement:

We are seeking a candidate with:

Demonstrable experience of leading a team at an operational level including, recruitment, workload planning, resource deployment and delegation, ideally within the tourism industry or similar industry such as events or hospitality.

You should be a self-starter and a natural problem solver who is highly organised. Great time management skills and exceptional interpersonal / leadership qualities are essential to ensuring the business operates efficiently, profitably and safely.

You will possess a full UK driving licence and have access to a suitable vehicle for business use.

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Benefits:

29 days annual leave rising to 31 days after two years
Pension Scheme
Life assurance scheme
Health insurance