Collections & House Manager

We’re looked for a Collections & House Manager to join the team at Knole.

As a member of the Collections & House Team, you’ll work collaboratively to ensure that Knole’s internationally significant collection of art, furniture, textiles and decorative arts is shared with varied audiences and cared for to a high standard.

This role is a fixed term post for 14 months. Interviews will take place on Friday 22nd November in person at Knole, with a planned start date in January 2025.

For an informal conversation about the role please contact: Eleanor Black, Property Curator at Knole on .

The Collections & House Team at Knole is a dedicated group professionals who work hard to manage, conserve and interpret the collection. We work with colleagues across the property team and wider National Trust to deliver well planned preventive conservation routines, remedial conservation projects and creative programming.

Sitting proudly within Kent’s last medieval deer park, Knole offers something for everyone. Visitors immerse themselves in the vast estate, still populated by wild deer, and follow in the footsteps of tourists who have visited Knole’s showrooms for 400 years. Originally built as an archbishop’s palace, Knole passed through royalty to the Sackville family. The collection includes paintings by Reynolds and Gainsborough, 17th century tapestries and state furniture.

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Reporting directly to the Property Curator, you’ll bring your enthusiasm, knowledge and experience to sustaining and developing our collections management and care programme. Leading by example, you’ll provide a culture of excellent customer care, engaging our visitors with conservation and our values.

You’ll be responsible for collections documentation at the property working with the National Trust’s collections management database and supporting the property to maintain its status as an Accredited Museum. You will support the maintenance and development of Emergency and Salvage procedures.

You’ll be required to work 1 in 4 weekends as part of a shared rota pattern.

We'd love to hear from you if you have: 

• Collections management experience in a museum or historic property environment, including working to Museum Accreditation (Spectrum) standards in collections care and conservation. 
• Strong understanding of good practice in preventive conservation, museum loans processes, collections storage and conservation packing.
• Leadership skills including coaching, team development, motivation and communication.
• Experience of working with volunteers, with good understanding of the different approaches to reward, recognise and motivate volunteers. 
• Experience in the management of relevant compliance, health and safety and emergency procedures.
• Proven track record of managing budgets, finances, small projects and contracts.
• Good written and verbal communication skills including public presentation, influencing and negotiating.

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.