Night Porter
MAGDALENE COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE
College Night Porter (Fixed Term)
Candidate Information Pack
May 2026
About Us
Magdalene College is one of the 31 Colleges of the University of Cambridge. It was originally founded in 1428 and re-founded in 1542. Although we are proud of our history, we are a thoroughly modern and forward-looking College.
There are roughly 600 undergraduate and postgraduate students in residence. 100 Fellows and the Master who together make up our College community. We have developed a strong programme in the Sciences alongside traditional strengths in Arts subjects and the first priority for students is academic work. There is a thriving extracurricular life in the College and we take pride in the high level of pastoral care offered to our students. Further information is available on the College website at www.magd.cam.ac.uk.
College Facilities for Staff
Staff are able to use the College gym which consists of a weights gym and a room with cardio equipment. The College also has a squash court and Eton Fives court. These can be booked through the Porters Lodge. Basketball, tennis and volleyball courts along with football Astro pitches can be booked through St John’s College.
Magdalene is registered with Cycle Scheme, a tax-efficient scheme for buying a new bicycle.
During the summer staff may use the College punts for up to two hours. These should be booked through the Porters Lodge. The College has a social committee who run events for staff, including the annual day trip which is open for all staff to attend.
Meals
All staff working a shift of a minimum of 4 hours per day are eligible to take a free lunch. This includes permanent staff and those on a fixed term contract. The value of the meal is up to £7.20 per day which equates to over £1600 per year for those working in College 5 days a week.
Family Friendly Policies
The College offers enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay as well as generous sick pay for those who have more than six months service. This is in addition to the flexible working policy. More details on all of these are in the Staff Handbook.
Staff are eligible to use the Tax-Free Childcare Scheme recently introduced by the government to replace Childcare Vouchers
Benefits
The college offers a range of benefits, including:
Group Life Assurance.
• Help@hand Portal where you can access remote GP appointments, medical second opinions, savings and discounts, financial support and much more.
• Wellbeing classes such as pilates and yoga.
Flu jabs.
• College employer pension contributions of up to 12%.
• Eye tests and glasses with Specsavers.
Department Information
| Working Conditions Which statement best describes the environment in which the role will primarily be based? |
| Office based. Some travel to similar sites may be required. Normal health and safety requirements will be followed. |
| Physical Requirements |
| Which statement best describes the physical demands of the role? |
| Requires normal physical efort associated with an office environment (or equivalent). |
| Sensory Requirements |
| Which statement best describes the sensory demands of the role? |
| Uses normal office equipment and/or standard tools. |
The main Porters’ Lodge is based in Magdalene Street and is staffed 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. The Porters’ Lodge is the reception point for visitors and it is essential that our porters are polite, helpful and welcoming to all who need assistance. This can include external visitors, students in need of support as well as staff and fellows. The Porters Lodge is an important part of College life and it is essential that Porters support students during their studies as well as the wider College Community
Role Summary
To work as a Night Porter during the busy summer conference period, primarily based in the Cripps Court Porters Lodge. The post holder will ensure the provision of effective and efficient reception and support to students, staff, fellows and visitors. This is a varied role that touches all elements of college life. Porters are responsible for responding to any emergency situation such as fire alarm or security issue within the college and its associated buildings.
Responsible to: Head Porter
Job Description
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The main duties of the role of Porter include the following (this list is not exclusive) although not all these tasks will take place on a night shift or during the period of the contract:
• Receive, welcome and assist all visitors, including conference delegates, Fellows, students and staff to the Porters’ Lodge in a timely, efficient and helpful manner.
• To be available to support students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This may be involve assisting with welfare matters, general enquiries and support
• Assist in the booking of guest and public rooms, as directed by the Head Porter.
• To work with the relevant student bodies in overseeing student social events such as Bops.
• Assist the Head Porter in the maintenance of discipline; ensure all students observe College rules and report any lapses to the appropriate authority.
Develop and maintain awareness of procedures and provide necessary emergency duties in cases of fire, flood, accident or illness; monitor, test and obtain good working knowledge of College, Hostel and other designated property, fire and smoke alarm systems; carry out health and safety and fire checks as directed.
• Operate the telephone exchange; take and relay messages via the telephone or through the use of pigeonholes.
Carry out basic computer duties and CCTV monitoring.
Issue, receive and check room keys in accordance with administrative procedures.
Carry out small maintenance jobs in an emergency.
• Assist with car and bicycle parking.
Provide the timely and accurate collection, sorting and delivery of external and internal mail to pigeonholes in the Porters’ Lodge (and to various College locations); ensure that off-site mail is franked/dispatched as appropriate. Redirect mail when required.
• Maintain administrative records as required by the Head Porter; ensure the overlap and timely handover of duties to the incoming Porters to include the relay of necessary information.
• Ensure the prompt reporting of any defects to the Maintenance Team.
• Administer punt hire between April and October.
Ensure the security of College buildings, grounds and gates; monitor and respond to intruder alarms; patrol the College and College hostels and any other designated property as required and as specifically directed by the Head Porter
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the post from time to time as directed by the Head Porter.
• You will be required to become a qualified First Aider and Personal Alcohol Licence holder and will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Person Specification
The following criteria are appropriate to this post:
Knowledge and Experience
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Experience in a customer facing or customer service role.
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Experience of reception would be an advantage.
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IT literate.
Personal Skills and Abilities
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Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate in a courteous, friendly and professional manner.
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Excellent telephone manner.
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Confidence to work alone, to self-motivate and to plan workload.
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Ability to remain calm and resolve problems tactfully.
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Approachable, conscientious, hardworking and reliable.
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Flexibility to work additional shifts when necessary.
Remuneration and Benefits
Remuneration
The rate of pay is £13.70 per hour
Hours of Work
8-hour shifts (8.5 hours on site including break) 5pm to 1.30am. On average this is 28 hours a week. This is a fixed term post from 15th June 2026 to 27th September 2026.
Holidays
The post holder will be entitled to 268 hours of annual leave a year prorated for part time hours and part year working, including bank holidays.
Pension
The post holder will join the College’s auto enrolment pension scheme.
Probationary and Notice Period
There will be a one-month probationary period. Upon successful completion of the probationary period, the notice period will be one month.
How to Apply
Please download and complete both parts of the application form from the College website at https://www.magd.cam.ac.uk/about/vacancies/non-academic-vacancies
Send your completed application by email to the HR Manager, Hannah Millward, at hr@magd.cam.ac.uk.
The College postal address is:
HR, Magdalene College, Magdalene Street, Cambridge CB3 0AG
Enquiries
Further enquiries about your application may be made by email to hr@magd.cam.ac.uk.
Closing Date: 29th May 2026
MAGDALENE COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE
HR Department
Magdalene College
Magdalene Street Cambridge CB3 0AG
hr@magd.cam.ac.uk 01223 332100
www.magd.cam.ac.uk