Working for the Weald & Downland Living Museum
We are an award winning, internationally recognised Living Museum with 50 historic buildings and gardens over a 40-acre site situated within the South Downs National Park.
Extraordinary buildings, fascinating artefacts, glorious surroundings and friendly, dedicated people – the Weald & Downland Living Museum is a unique and incredibly rewarding place to work.
Here at the Weald & Downland Living Museum we value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds.
Staff Vacancies
Group Sales & Business Development Co-ordinator
Reports to: Retail & Visitor Operations Manager
Working pattern: 21 Hours a week, working flexibility, including occasional evenings and weekends
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £26,390 FTE
About the role
Group visits are one of the Museum’s most efficient sources of earned income, since a group arrives at a site that is already open and staffed and most of what they bring converts directly into charitable contribution. The function has until now operated reactively. This role changes that. The postholder will take ownership of group income as a commercial portfolio, approaching operators who do not yet visit us, growing midweek and off-peak season business where our capacity is greatest, and converting more of the enquiries we already receive. The role also remains the operational owner of the group bookings process and the main museum telephone line.
Please send a covering letter and CV to: hradvisor@wealddown.co.uk and answer the following questions:
- Why do you want to work at the Weald & Downland Museum?
- To promote the museum, some travel to trade shows / networking events is expected in this role. Do you have a reliable means of getting to and from our remote site in Singleton and other locations?
- This role involves proactively contacting potential customers. How comfortable are you with making regular outbound calls to businesses, travel organisers or community groups to promote the Museum?
Closing date: 6th September 2026
Assistant Duty Manager
Job Title: Assistant Duty Manager
Reports to: Duty Manager
Hours: Flexible and as required across a seven-day operation
Location: Weald & Downland Living Museum, Singleton, West Sussex
Contract type: Casual (Zero hours)
Salary: £12.71 per hour
About the role
This role provides flexible support for duty management across the Museum’s seven-day operation. Working alongside and under the direction of the Duty Manager, the postholder is the second pair of hands that helps to keep the site running safely and smoothly, so that opening and closing are never carried out by one person alone and provides additional cover during the Museum’s busiest periods and when regular staff are absent.
The postholder always works under the direction of a Duty Manager and is not required to take sole charge of the site. The role suits a reliable, calm and adaptable person who enjoys visitor facing work and can offer flexible availability, including weekends and holiday periods.
This is an active and hands-on role. The postholder is on their feet and moving around the site for much of the day. The Museum covers 40 acres of open-air site, with some uneven and hilly paths in places and the work takes place in all weathers.
This is a casual, zero hours role. Shifts are offered as the Museum needs them and may be offered at short notice; there is no guarantee of a minimum number of hours.
Download the full job description here.
Duty Manager and Health and Safety Co-ordinator
Reports to: Head of Finance and Operations
Hours: Worked on a rota across the seven-day operation, shared between two post- holders. Hours per post-holder to be confirmed but not less than 25 hours per week
Location: Weald & Downland Living Museum, Singleton, West Sussex
Contract type: Shared role: Two part-time post-holders. Temporary to permanent.
Salary: £31,200 FTE based on 40 hours/wk. (pro-rata to hours worked with a minimum of 25 hours per week)
About the role
This is a dual role that combines the management of the duty manager team with the drive to strengthen health and safety across the Museum. On shift, the postholder does the same job as the duty managers, taking responsibility for the safe, smooth and welcoming running of the site. Beyond the shift, the postholder manages the duty manager team, who report to this role, owns the team rota and the related administration, and leads on raising health and safety standards.
This role is offered on a shared basis. Two post-holders divide the week between them and, together with the wider team, ensure a senior manager is on site every day the Museum is open. Hours are worked on a rota agreed between the two post-holders, who share the full range of duties set out below.
As Health and Safety Coordinator the postholder coordinates the Museum’s day-to-day health and safety and drives a positive safety culture across all teams and departments, working closely with the Head of Finance and Operations, the Senior Leadership Team and the Site and Safety Manager. The focus is on maintaining, reviewing and improving procedures, risk assessments and good working practices, and on embedding safe working across the site, rather than setting policy, which remains with the Senior Leadership Team.
This is an active and hands on role. The postholder is on their feet and moving around the site for much of the day. The Museum covers 40 acres of open-air site, with some uneven and hilly paths in places, and the work takes place in all weathers.
Working on a rota basis to cover our seven-day operation, this role will be shared between two post-holders. Hours per post-holder to be confirmed but will not be less than 25 hours per week and will combine duty manager shifts on the rota with time for health and safety coordination, and will include some weekend, bank holidays and evening cover.
This post is subject to a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Download the full job description here.
Seasonal Retail and Admissions Assistants
Reports to:
Visitor Experience Manager
Location:
On-site
Contract type:
Part time – Casual – Zero hour
Salary:
£10.85 – 12.71 per hour
Role description
We’re looking for confident individuals who can commit to flexible Summer / Autumn shifts and contribute to an outstanding visitor experience. Typical working shifts, 9.30am – 5.00 Or 9.30am-2pm.
You will mainly be based in the Museum gift shop where you are required to help visitors with daily information about the museum being the first point of contact upon entry, replenish the shop and carry out daily tasks as required.
No experience necessary, training will be provided.
The ideal members of our team should be able to demonstrate the following attributes:
- Enthusiasm and initiative
- Excellent customer service skills
- Working with the public
- Confidence
- Willingness to learn
- Ability to work on a flexible basis
- Availability to work weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Application deadline: 31st August 2026.
We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, and we may invite candidates to interview before the closing date. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is appointed. So, we encourage you to apply early.
Our heritage is richer when it includes all voices. We are working to make our organisation an open, inclusive, and accessible place for people from every background. If you share our passion for connecting people with history in meaningful and inclusive ways, we would love to hear from you. We are happy to discuss any support you might need during the application process.
The Weald & Downland Living Museum is dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of children, vulnerable adults, staff, volunteers and visitors. All recruitment processes include safeguarding checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) screening, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all.
All candidates must already hold the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.
Please send a brief covering letter, CV and answer the following questions to hradvisor@wealddown.co.uk:
1. What attracted you to this role and working at the Weald & Downland Living Museum?
2. Have you got any retail experience?
3. What does good customer service mean to you?
4. What days and times are you generally available to work and what is your availability after September?
Please ensure that you complete all three tasks (CV, covering letter & questions) to apply.
Café and Hospitality Assistant – Casual role
Reports to: Food & Beverage Manager
Business Area: Cafe and Events
Shift Pattern: The post holder must be fully flexible and available to work shifts across a seven-day rota, including weekends and bank holidays.
Location: On-site
Contract type: Casual - Zero hour
Salary: £10.85 – 12.71 per hour
Role Description
We are looking for enthusiastic, can-do people to join our busy team. This casual role must be fully flexible and available to work shifts across a seven-day rota, including weekends and bank holidays.
Working front of house and behind the scenes as required, the successful candidates will provide excellent customer service and assist with a variety of tasks including making drinks, waiting tables, dishwashing, basic food preparation and maintaining cleanliness in cafe areas.
This is a zero-hours contract. Hours will vary week to week depending on visitor numbers, café demand and events. We anticipate the role will be busiest between April and October.
Previous cafe experience is a plus, but not essential. All you really need is a friendly, can-do attitude.
Our heritage is richer when it includes all voices. We are working to make our organisation an open, inclusive, and accessible place for people from every background. If you share our passion for connecting people with history in meaningful and inclusive ways, we would love to hear from you. We are happy to discuss any support you might need during the application process.
The Weald & Downland Living Museum is dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of children, vulnerable adults, staff, volunteers and visitors. All recruitment processes include safeguarding checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) screening, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all.
All candidates must already hold the legal right to work in the United Kingdom.
Please send a brief covering letter, CV and answer the following questions to hradvisor@wealddown.co.uk
- What attracted you to this role and working at the Weald & Downland Living Museum?
- Have you got any hospitability experience?
- What does good customer service mean to you?
- What is your availability?
N.B: The museum is in a rural location near Singleton, served by a bus service (number 60). Free staff parking is also available.
Please ensure you complete all three tasks (CV, covering letter and questions) to apply.
Closing date: Sunday 27th September 2026
Appointment of Trustees
We wish to find outstanding individuals to join our Board of Trustees at the Museum.
We are looking for people who are passionate about our Museum and can bring their skills, knowledge and experience from any area of expertise to further strengthen our work.
The Trust Board meets six times a year, including the AGM and an ‘Away Day’. Trustees are appointed for a three year term, with the number of renewals limited so that no Trustee serves for more than nine years in total.
To find out more and how to apply, view our Trustee Recruitment Pack.
Volunteering Vacancies
Volunteer Role: Winkhurst Kitchen
Have you ever wanted to work in a replica Tudor kitchen? This could be your chance!
We are looking for volunteers to join our team interpreting one of our flagship buildings, Winkhurst Tudor Kitchen.
Here, you will prepare food that may have been eaten by a Yeoman Farmer in the mid 16th century (eating it yourself is optional, but why wouldn’t you?), following authentic recipes based on extensive research by food historians.
You will also brew beer at certain times of the year, dye cloth, bake in an authentic Tudor bread oven, make distilled herb and flower waters, home remedies and also be part of the wider Bayleaf Farmhouse team, interpreting life in a prosperous Yeoman farmstead.
This isn’t just traditional cooking, this is holistic Tudor interpretation!
This position is for Mondays, Fridays or Saturdays only. Full training will be given, with no experience needed, other than enthusiasm and curiosity.
Volunteer Role: Grounds Improvement Lead
We are looking for a motivated and hands-on volunteer to lead our Grounds Improvements Plan. This role will involve coordinating and leading a group of volunteers on a weekly basis to deliver practical improvements and enhancements across the grounds. The focus is on improving the overall appearance and usability of the site, helping to create a welcoming and well-cared-for environment for the community.
The role will focus on building and supporting a new team of volunteers who may have weekday commitments, with regular sessions taking place on Saturday mornings (10:00am–1:00pm). The aim is to establish a consistent weekend team to deliver projects on a weekly basis.
Activities will include:
- Leading weekly volunteer sessions
- Organising and guiding tasks such as weeding and path clearance
- Identifying opportunities for site improvements and enhancements
- Supporting volunteers to work safely and effectively
This role is focused on improvement work rather than routine maintenance. It will not include general maintenance tasks or work within the historic gardens. We are looking for someone who:
Enjoys working outdoors
- Is confident leading and motivating small groups
- Has a practical, proactive approach
- Is passionate about improving community spaces
This is a great opportunity to make a visible difference to the grounds while bringing people together through volunteering.
Volunteer Role: Grounds Improvement Volunteer
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our Grounds Improvement Team and help deliver practical projects to enhance the parkland site.
As part of a friendly and hands-on team, you will support weekly improvement sessions focused on making the grounds more welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.
Sessions take place on Saturday mornings (10:00am–1:00pm), creating an opportunity for those with weekday commitments to get involved and contribute regularly.
Activities may include:
- Weeding and clearing overgrown areas
- Path clearance and light landscaping tasks
- Supporting small improvement and enhancement projects
- Helping improve the overall appearance of different areas of the site
This role focuses on improvement work rather than routine maintenance and does not include work within the historic gardens. We are looking for people who:
- Enjoy being outdoors and getting involved in practical tasks
- Are happy to work as part of a team
- Can commit to attending sessions regularly where possible
- Have a positive and proactive attitude
No previous experience is required—just a willingness to get involved and make a difference.
This is a great opportunity to meet others, learn new skills, and play a direct role in improving the grounds for the wider community.
If you are interested in one of these volunteering roles, please contact volunteering@wealddown.co.uk for more information.
Become a volunteer
