Visitor Assistant

INTRODUCTION

The River & Rowing Museum is an award-winning museum and gallery, idyllically located by the river Thames in South Oxfordshire, close to the M4, M40 and within easy reach of Oxford and Reading by both road and rail.

Put simply, our charitable mission is to bring the r iver, rowing, history & the arts to l i fe, sharing our passion with as many people as possible.

The Role

You will meet and welcome our visitors and will create that important first impression. Almost everything which happens in the Museum will go through the Reception desk so your enthusiasm and knowledge is vital to our visitor’s experience. Visitor safety is very important to us and yours is a key role in the evacuation of the building should the need arise.

We are a charity so revenue gained from Admissions/Shop is very important to us. We need someone who has experience in a customer facing role with excellent communication skills.

Background

Opened in 1998 by H.M. The Queen, the Museum has established itself as one of the leading independent museums in the country and was selected by The Times (May 2013) as one of the ‘50 best Museums in the world’. The Museum is recognised as important to the local tourist economy and attracts over 100,000 visitors a year.

The Museum’s award-winning building was the first major UK commission by Sir David Chipperfield and continues to be acclaimed for its minimalist design. It currently houses four permanent galleries including The Wind in the Willows Gallery that is a major attractor for family audiences. It also houses two principal spaces for temporary exhibitions.

There is a separate building nearby which acts as an offsite store, conservation workshop and archive.

Education is central to the Museum’s charitable objectives and its success in both formal school workshops and informal learning is a source of pride. Over 20,000 people use this service

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annually which is based in a purpose-built education centre that was doubled in size in 2006 with the support of a major Heritage Lottery Fund grant, won the prestigious Sandford Award for Heritage Education.

The Museum has raised its profile and reputation by being at the centre of many partnerships, including its involvement with The Langley Academy, where there is a unique Museum Learning focus, and this currently receives support from Arts Council England to evaluate and develop the partnership further.

The River & Rowing Museum Foundation is a registered charity. It is governed by a Board of Trustees, supported by a Finance & General Purpose Committee and has recently established a Development Committee.

For more information, please refer to: http://rrm.co.uk/

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JOB PROFILE

Job title: Visitor Assistant

Responsible to: Visitor Services Manager

Responsible for: All Front of House duties

Location: Henley on Thames

The post is part time AM or PM shift normally worked Monday to Sunday 9.45-5pm, with the flexibility to work early morning and evening shifts on a regular basis.

MAIN SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILTIES To ensure visitors to the Museum have a friendly welcome and leave having had an

enjoyable and memorable time. To ensure the smooth running of the public areas of the Museum, the admission desk

and the shop with particular focus on customer service and safety. To actively broaden knowledge of the Museum Galleries, available facilities and points

of interest in order to enhance the visitor experience and to promote all aspects of the Museum

To assist in the evacuation of the building in the event of emergency or fire drill, following Museum procedure.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Should you wish to discuss this role informally or in greater depth, or simply want to find out more about the River & Rowing Museum please do not hesitate to contact the Visitor Services Manager Christine Carey 01491 415600 or christine.carey@rrm.co.uk

If you would like to apply to join the team, then please send a copy of your CV to christine.carey@rrm.co.uk or by post to Christine Carey, River & Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley on Thames, Oxon. RG9 1BF.

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Visitor Assistant- PERSON SPECIFICATION

Role: Visitor AssistantResponsible to: Visitor Services ManagerResponsible for: All Front of House activities

1. Work Experience

a) Proven experience of working in customer facing role

b) Proven experience of cash handling.

Essential

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Desirable

2. Skills & Abilities

a) Excellent written and verbal communication skills

b) Ability to work independently

c) Experience of word processing, databases, spreadsheet packages etc

d) Ability to be flexible and work within a team

e) Numerate

f) Excellent attention to detail

g) Able to work evening’s, early morning and weekend shifts on a regular basis.

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Behaviour & Characteristics

a) Clear Communicator

b) Outgoing, enthusiastic and engaging personality

c) Team Player

d) Self-motivated

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Qualifications

GCSE Maths and English or equivalent √

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