Administrative Assistant, Rydal Mount Project

Application deadline: 15 May 2026

Job Description: Administrative Assistant , Rydal Mount Project

Reports to: Rydal Mount Project Director

Location: Rydal

Contract: Fixed - term until 31 January 202 7, with the possibility of extension

subject to funding

Hours: 22.5 hrs worked over 3 days per week

Salary: £12.71 per hour

About the Project

The Wordsworth Trust was established in 1891 to provide a ‘living memorial’ to the Romantic poet William Wordsworth, his sister Dorothy and his contemporaries at Dove Cottage, Grasmere. Preserving Wordsworth’s famous Lake District home remains its main pur pose. Its vision is a future in which the lives and works of William and Dorothy Wordsworth inspire a more inclusive, creative and sustainable world.

Since 1891, the Wordsworth Trust has acquired most of the other historic properties in the hamlet around Dove Cottage and created a designated collection of manuscripts, printed books and fine art that continues to grow. William Wordsworth’s verse manuscripts and Dorothy Wordsworth’s Grasmere Journals are at the heart of this collection, making it unique in Western literature: nowhere else does so much of a major writer’s original work remain where it was written and inspired. The Wordsworth Trust’s charita ble activities seek to fulfil Wordsworth’s own wish: that his poetry should ‘live and do good’.

In March 2026, the Wordsworth Trust secured the future of Rydal Mount, the Grade I listed final home of the poet, through a landmark acquisition made in partnership with The Julia Rausing Trust and the Charlotte Aitken Trust. The property, which includes extensive gardens and grounds, a flat, outbuildings and a café, is located just two miles from Dove Cottage. The acquisition ensures that Rydal Mount will be preserved for public benefit and protected for future generations, securing its place within the cu ltural and literary landscape of the Lake District.

Having secured Rydal Mount’s f uture, the Wordsworth Trust intends to :

Commission a feasibility study to establish a sustainable operating model for t he property as part of the Wordsworth Trust

• Appoint a contractor to undertake essential repairs and renovation

The Director of the Wordsworth Trust , Michael McGregor is being seconded to the Rydal Mount project as Project Director. We are seeking a highly organised, proactive Administrat ive Assistant to offer part - time support to the Project Director and wider project team during this critical next phase .

The Wordsworth Trust recognises and values the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Further information on the Trust and its work can be found on our website: wordsworth.org.uk

Job Details

Job title: Administrative Assistant, Rydal Mount Project

Reports to: Rydal Mount Project Director

Location: Rydal Mount, Rydal

Contract: Fixed - term until 31 January 202 7, with the possibility of extension subject to funding

Hours: 22.5 hrs worked over 3 days per week

Salary: £12.71 per hour

Role Purpose

To provide high - quality administrative, organisational, and communications support to ensure the smooth and efficient completion of the development phase. The postholder will help coordinate project meetings and other activities, manage information flows, and ensure that the Project Director is fully supported across day - to- day operations.

Whilst the postholder will be based at Rydal Mount, on occasion, they may need to attend meetings at Wordsworth Grasmere and other locations .

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Administration

• Maintain the project schedule and milestone trackers.

Coordinate diaries, arrange meetings, and manage logistics for internal and external project activities.

Support procurement processes by helping prepare documentation, gather quotations, and track consultant contracts.

Maintain an orderly and accessible project filing system (digital and physical), ensuring version control of key documents.

2. Meeting and Coordination Support

Prepare meeting agendas, minutes, and follow - up action lists for project meetings, steering group meetings and workshops.

• Coordinate site visits, surveys, and consultant workshops.

• Act as first point of contact for routine project enquiries, escalating matters where appropriate.

3. Information Management

Track incoming reports and other document s, ensuring timely circulation to relevant stakeholders.

C ollat e project data and maintain the Rydal Mount Teams channel on Microsoft 365.

• Assist in preparing documents and presentations for the Project Director.

wordsworth GRASMERE

Support the preparation of steering group papers, funding submissions, and progress updates.

4. Financial and Procurement Support

Liaise with the Wordsworth Trust ’s Finance team to p rocess purchase orders invoices and expenses .

Maintain accurate financial records and support the Project Director in monitoring expenditure against the project budget.

Liaise with the Wordsworth Trust’s Estates Manager regarding the procurement of work undertaken by external contractors .

5. Stakeholder and Communications Support

• Maintain the project stakeholder matrix, project planner and workplan.

Maintain project mailing lists and support the coordination of stakeholder engagement events.

Working with the Wordsworth Trust Marketing and Comms team, develop and maintain a blog detailing the project’s development and support associated social media activity .

• Draft briefing notes and simple communications materials.

Support the preparation of reports for funders, community partners, consultants, and internal teams.

6. General Administrative Support

Support the Project Director with day - to- day administrative tasks to ensure efficient project operations.

Liaise with departments within the Wordsworth Trust (e.g., Finance, Fundraising, Estate s, Visitor Experience ) as required.

Person Specification

Essential

• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Experience in scheduling, minute - taking, and managing administrative processes.

Ability to work with discretion and handle confidential or commercially sensitive information.

• A proactive, detail - oriented approach with a commitment to accuracy.

Ability to build positive working relationships with colleagues, consultants, and stakeholders.

Desirable

Experience supporting capital projects, construction, estates, or heritage - sector programmes.

• Knowledge of project management processes and terminology.

Experience working within museums, heritage, arts, or public sector environments.

• Familiarity with procurement, contract administration, or finance systems.

What We Offer

The chance to contribute to a transformative heritage project that will shape the future of Rydal Mount as part of the Wordsworth Trust .

• A supportive, collaborative working environment.

• Flexible working options (subject to role requirements).

Other details

Pension Defined contribution pension scheme with the People’s Pension

Holidays 22 days a year plus bank holidays pro rata, rising by one additional day a year after five years’ continuous employment to a maximum of 30 days a year.

Benefits Discounts in the Wordsworth Grasmere Shop and Café

Holiday purchase scheme

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Staff parking

How to apply

Deadline : 15 May 2026, 5:00pm

Interviews: w k/c 25 May 2026

Please send your application form and equal opportunities monitoring form to Caitlin Armstrong, PA to the Director: c.armstrong@wordsworth.org.uk

We will only consider applications submitted on the form provided. A covering letter is optional but please don’t send a CV or other supporting information.

Interviews will take place at Wordsworth Grasmere.

We regret that we can only get in touch with applicants who are shortlisted for interview.