Retail & Admissions Assistant IWM North

Opportunity ID

609

Location

Career Level

Salary

Hours

Department

Position type

Job Summary

IWM North is the fifth branch of Imperial War Museums and the first outside the South East of England. Designed by internationally-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, the building’s iconic structure was inspired by the idea of a world shattered by conflict. From 1914 to the present day every object on display at IWM North tells a remarkable personal story. Highlights of a visit include a number of changing special exhibitions each year and the unique 360° audio-visual experience of the Big Picture. IWM North attracts over 350,000 visitors each year. The branch does not charge an admission entry fee but does host a number of special exhibitions each year. As a member of the Retail and Admission team you will be in a key, customer facing role, welcoming visitors to the museum, providing them with detailed information and consistently delivering the highest standards of customer service. A strong drive for achieving sales targets and the confidence to approach visitors and actively sell a wide range of products is essential.

Key duties

• To welcome and positively engage with every visitor to the museum, at any and every point of their visit, consistently delivering the highest standards of customer service at all times.
• To develop a strong knowledge of IWM, its collection and the local area in order to provide visitors with a professional and knowledgeable response to their enquiries and a memorable visit.
• To actively sell IWM’s Guidebooks and related offers at the museum’s entrance from our admissions desk and as an add on sale in our shops.
• To accurately record visitor numbers and profiles through the admissions tills, using correct payment methods paying careful attention to detail.
• To maximise revenue at admissions, promoting donations and membership.
• To exceed all retail sales targets in the shop through proactive, positive interactions with our customers, excellent product knowledge and suggestions and the up selling of linked items.

For a full list of duties and the person specification (which your application will be marked against) please view the Job Description. 

Due to the seven day nature of our operations, this role requires regular weekend working. 

Job Summary (File)

Application closing date

September 28th 2025, 11:55 PM

Interview Details

Interviews for this post are planned for the week commencing 6 October 2025

The benefits listed below are discretionary and IWM reserves the right, with due notice, to vary or withdraw them at any time. All such benefits apply during the course of your employment only.

• Annual Leave:You'll have 25 days of annual leave, with public holidays on top. After 3 years, this increases to 27 days and after 5 years, you’ll get 30 days

• Company Group Pension Plan:Our commitment to your financial well-being includes competitive employer contributions to your pension starting at 7% to a maximum of 12%.

• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Benefits:Celebrate life’s milestones with confidence, knowing that our policies support growing families.

• IWM4me:Tailor your benefits to your unique needs through IWM4me. Access health, protection, and lifestyle benefits at corporate rates, ensuring your holistic well-being.

• Free Sanitary Products:We prioritise your comfort by providing free sanitary products across all our sites.

• Retail Discounts:25% off IWM Cafes, 20% discount in on-site shops, Benefits hub offering retail discounts to several high street shops (via our EAP provider) and MyActive discounts for health and wellbeing based retail discounts (via IWM4me)

• Free Entry to IWM Air Shows:Witness the thrill of vintage aircraft at our air shows.

• Free Entry to Partner Museums & Galleries:Immerse yourself in art, history, and culture through our reciprocal arrangements with other institutions.

• In-House Training Programmes:Fuel your intellectual curiosity and professional growth through our comprehensive training initiatives.

• Season Ticket Loan Scheme:Simplify your daily commute with our interest-free loan program.

• Cycle 2 Work & Cycle Hire:Promote well-being and environmental consciousness by cycling to work.

• Eye Tests:Money back up to £80 for an eye test and a new pair of glasses.

• Employee Assistance Programme:Access confidential support for personal or work-related challenges.

• Benenden Healthcare & Dental Insurance:Prioritise your health with access to quality healthcare services (subject to terms and conditions).

• Civil Service Sports Club Membership:Opportunity to join and enjoy additional discounts and perks as part of a vibrant community.

• Staff Events and Networks:Join fellow colleagues in social gatherings and events, fostering camaraderie and shared experiences.

…and more!

Ready to embark on this exciting journey with us? Apply now and become part of IWM!

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. This role is subject to:

A basic check, which shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions.

IWM is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunities.
We miss out when people feel IWM isn't for them, and are committed to removing and reducing barriers to make IWM open to everyone.
Our Access and Inclusion strategy has been developed to promote openness, equal opportunities to access, inclusivity and encourage diversity in everything that we do, from employment practices, the services we provide to our visitors to the facilities we make available to public.
At IWM we seek to address the need for greater diversity within our workforce as well as the wider museum and heritage sector. In all our practices we embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity and we welcome applications from suitable candidates of all backgrounds.
We value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life balance. Some roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, so if this is important to you please raise this with your recruitment contact, as we are open to discussing agile working opportunities during the hiring process.