Gallery Assistants

Where: National Portrait Gallery, London, WC2N 5DS

Hours: Various hours dependant on role.

Hourly Rate: £12.50

Role Purpose

The Gallery Assistant (GA) is to provide a pro-active and professional customer service to the National Portrait Gallery (NPG)including its visitors, staff and contractors. To maintain the customer experience levels to all visitors and staff of The National Portrait Gallery. The role includes the welcoming visitors to the gallery and invigilating temporary exhibitions.

Role Detail

Shift Pattern

• 4 days on 4 off
• 10h00 – 18h00 Sunday to Thursday
• 10h00 – 21h30 Friday and Saturday

Payrate

• £12.50 per hour

Key Responsibilities

Customer Service/Experience

• Deal promptly and appropriately with any requests or questions relating to the NPG and the exhibitions.
• To assist the Customer Experience Team on site by providing information to visitirs on the detail of the exhibition or art work (Training will be given)
• To be approachable to visitors and NPG staff
• To assist the Visitor Experience Manager with reports of any damage, H&S incidents
• To assist in escorting visitors
• Work effectively as part of the Visitor Experience/Control Room team. Maintaining close liaison with the Visitor Experience Managers, Events, Buildings and Facilities and other relevant Gallery staff as and when required
• Maintain good working relationships with the National Gallery's Security team
• To notify the control room and Duty Manager (DM) of any concerns raised.
• Ensure the Gallery's Health and Safety guidelines are always adhered to (check for any trip hazards etc)
• Maintaining a smart and appropriate standard of personal appearance, wearing the uniform always provided.

• To assist in training new NPG GA's
• Support any event works/commercial private hire events when requested.
• Exhibition roles will need to respond to any alarm activations within that area or protestor activity
• Knowledge of the exhibition on display
• Any other reasonable instruction

Visitor Engagement:

• To provide a proactive and friendly presence when welcoming our visitors to the gallery and for evening events.
• To ensure you have sufficient knowledge of the building, collection and activities to respond to visitors' enquires (in person or on the telephone), if necessary by being able to direct visitors to the appropriate sources of information available.
• To report facilities that do not meet the standards required to the control room and DM

Education & Experience

Essential

• To be able to demonstrate excellent customer service skills

Skills

• A commitment to maximising the visitor's enjoyment of the Gallery by providing the highest level of visitor service
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, use of two way radio system
• Good inter-personal skills are essential. We are looking for people with genuine enthusiasm and the confidence to interact with, and approach the Gallery's visitors

Attributes

• The ability to remain calm when under pressure
• The ability to give directions and respond to emergency services requests when under pressure
• The ability to learn procedures quickly and be able to implement the procedures on a daily basis
• Willingness to undertake further training to develop in the position and in order to enhance the galleries provision
• Willingness to be trained as a first aider

This list is indicative but not exhaustive. As such, in addition to the key accountabilities and responsibilities listed the post holder may be required to perform other duties commensurate with the scope and/or level of the role.