Summary
***INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY***
This Assistant Curator role will support the National Trust’s Bath Assembly Rooms project on a fixed-term, full-time contract until end June 2025. The role will have a focus on research to support the development of a new exhibition and immersive visitor experience. We are looking for the right candidate to start as soon as possible.
What it's like to work here
You’ll be part of the Trust’s internal consultancy: a flexible resource of specialist skills and expertise. As one of a multidisciplinary team of experts, including curators, fundraisers, building surveyors and project managers, you’ll be working with others to help make things happen.
Your contractual place of work will be the National Trust office in Abbots Leigh, Bristol but you will likely spend more time in Bath. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week.
The Bath Assembly Rooms are a significant part of the World Heritage Site of Bath, they are described in the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, and are listed Grade I. Known for music, parties, dancing and entertainment during Bath’s Georgian heyday, the building has been owned by the National Trust since 1931, but from 2023 we have been responsible for managing its operation for the first time. The Trust is developing a new visitor experience, to interpret this impressive building, bringing its story to life, showcasing its significance and central role across Georgian Bath society, and to explore its relevance to visitors today.
What you'll be doing
You will join the team at a very exciting and important moment. We now have our final design for a new immersive visitor experience and your research will feed into key elements to support filming and the realisation of our vision.
Working directly with the existing curatorial team (Experiences & Partnerships Curator, Project Curator and Acting Project Curator), you will undertake independent research into specific but varied topics such as people, fashion, food and furniture of the 1790’s, centring around Bath and the Bath Assembly Rooms. By undertaking robust research, you will be providing the raw material for the creative team to develop narratives on a wide range of themes. We are telling stories of both those who enjoyed the entertainments at the Rooms and those whose work enabled the social and financial economy of the Rooms, Bath and further afield.
Who we're looking for
To succeed in this role, you will need the following:
- Interest or specialism in 18th and early-19th century periods with relevant experience or a degree in a relevant area and post-graduate qualification
- Experience of conducting research for interpretation within a heritage, arts or similar environment, with a wide knowledge of research resources and techniques
- Successful track record of writing up research for a range of ongoing uses by a variety of people
- Enthusiasm for working with others to take creative approach to unlocking historical stories and relevance for internal and external audiences, relating heritage and collections to wider historical and contemporary understandings
- Strong communication and planning skills, alongside the ability to work at pace and be decisive, prioritising work and activity based on project needs.
- Advanced IT skills, using collections management database and other specialist software
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
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.
