Retail Assistant

Candidate Pack
Retail Assistant
Part Time, 20 hrs per week
Fixed Term Contract, 10 months
1st March – 31st December 2026

Introduction

The Wallace Collection is an internationally outstanding collection which contains unsurpassed
masterpieces of paintings, sculpture, furniture, arms and armour and porcelain. Built over the
eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, it is one of
the finest and most celebrated collections in the world. So that it could be kept together and enjoyed by
generations of visitors, the collection was given to the British Nation in 1897 and opened to the public in
June 1900. It was an astonishing bequest and one of the greatest gifts of art works ever to be
transferred into public ownership. The museum is internationally famous for its collection of French
eighteenth-century art, Arms and Armour and for its Old Master paintings.

The museum is managed by the Director Dr Xavier Bray, who reports to a board of Trustees appointed
by the Prime Minister, and is financed by a combination of grant-in-aid from central government and
self-generated income.

We aim to engage with and diversify our audience and attract over 500,000 visitors a year to the
museum.

CANDIDATE PACK FOR PART TIME RETAIL ASSISTANT FIXED TERM CONTRACT - THE WALLACE COLLECTION

Our priorities

The Collection is committed to providing access to as wide a public as possible and to helping visitors
engage with this diversity. Our goal is to create a place of understanding, cultural pluralism, curiosity and
learning. To do this, we plan to create a world-class visitor experience for all ages which stimulates
engagement with our collection through a new programme of exhibitions, major gallery refurbishments
and an enhanced and expanded digital presence.

Our strategic priorities are to:
• To maintain, research and preserve the Collection for future generations;
• To broaden and deepen visitor engagement, connecting with audiences onsite and digitally;
• To build and support a strong exhibition programme;
• To lay a strong financial foundation for the future; and
• To embark upon a Masterplan programme to transform the museum.

CANDIDATE PACK FOR PART TIME RETAIL ASSISTANT FIXED TERM CONTRACT - THE WALLACE COLLECTION

Role summary

We are looking for a Retail Assistant with the core mission of delivering the highest standard of customer
service to all visitors. The Retail Assistant is welcoming, informative and engaged with the Collection and
all it has to offer.

As a brand ambassador the Retail Assistant ensures that the stories about the Collection, exhibitions and
merchandise  are  known  to  all  visitors.  Their  aim  is  to  maximise  income  and  fundraising  opportunities
through  proactive  visitor  engagement  and excellent tailored service,  raising  revenue  for the  Collection
through merchandise and membership sales and visitor donations.

This role reports to the Buyer and Retail Manager.

CANDIDATE PACK FOR PART TIME RETAIL ASSISTANT FIXED TERM CONTRACT - THE WALLACE COLLECTION

Role description

Retail Operations

• Welcome and greet all customers to the retail shop and ascertain the customer’s needs and wants.

• Maintain  outstanding  store  condition  by  adhering  to  merchandising  protocols  and  strategies,  and

keeping excellent stock replenishment and display standards.

• Adhere to all stock policies for write offs and deliveries.

• Take an adaptable and resourceful approach to all daily retail operational procedures.

• Accurately record daily sales and transactions through the point of sale systems and provide excellent

cash handling skills.

• Maximise all sales opportunities and take a proactive approach at engaging with potential customers.

Recommend and display items that match customer needs.

• Have  excellent  and  up  to  date  product  knowledge  to  encourage  engagement  and  storytelling  to

customers.

Customer Service & Museum Operations

• Welcome all visitors and inform about the Collection and all the facilities it has on offer, such as our

exhibitions, events, lectures and public tours.

• Deal with all visitor enquiries and comments in a timely and efficient manner by ensuring full and up

to date knowledge of the Collection’s programme and events.

• Actively  engage  visitors  in  the  work  of  the  Collection  to  encourage  meaningful  engagement  and

charitable giving.

• Uphold health and safety and emergency procedures ensuring visitors safety and security is always a

priority.

• Work on occasional events and functions, which will require flexibility in hours worked.

• Any other tasks or duties requested by the wider museum team.

CANDIDATE PACK FOR PART TIME RETAIL ASSISTANT FIXED TERM CONTRACT - THE WALLACE COLLECTION

Person specification

Strong background in visual merchandising and creating effective product displays.

Essential
• Proven experience in a customer facing or sales focused position.
•
• Practical knowledge of stock control processes and inventory management.
• Ability to follow emergency procedures and comply with all security protocols.
• Genuine interest in, and understanding of, the Collection and its associated activities.

Desirable
•
Strong interpersonal skills and effective relationship management.
• Reliable and committed in working as part of a team on a rota basis.
• Ability to learn and retain new information quickly.
•
Flexible, resourceful and adaptable in approach.
•
Self-motivated and able to use initiative when working independently.
• Ability to think creatively and work within a team to solve problems.
• Confident in engaging with diverse groups of people.

CANDIDATE PACK FOR PART TIME RETAIL ASSISTANT FIXED TERM CONTRACT - THE WALLACE COLLECTION

Salary, benefits
and working hours

The salary for this role is £14,404 (£28,808 FTE) per annum.

In addition, the post-holder will receive 34 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays) and 2.5 ‘privilege’
days. Holiday entitlement will be pro-rated according to the length of fixed term contract. Employees are
also offered the following benefits:

• NEST Pension Scheme
• Eye Tests
• Occupational Health Service
• Annual Flu Jab
• Employee Assistance Programme

Services available 24/7 and 365 days per year to all employees
Free therapy service of up to six sessions per issue, per year (each session lasts 45-50 minutes)

• Access to Mental Health First Aiders
• Parental Leave
• Training and Development Opportunities

For this post, you will normally work, on average 20 hours per week in the period Monday to Sunday.
Your working pattern will alternate on a weekly basis between Saturday, Sunday and Monday to Sunday
and Monday. The normal working day will be 9:15am to 5:15pm. Please note that this position requires
weekend working.

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CANDIDATE PACK FOR PART TIME RETAIL ASSISTANT FIXED TERM CONTRACT - THE WALLACE COLLECTION

How to apply

Please complete the Application Form, and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, following the links
provided on our website. Please note the equal opportunities form is used for monitoring purposes only
and does not form part of the selection process. Both forms should be emailed to
recruitment@wallacecollection.org by midnight 22/02/2026. Please note late applications or
applications via a CV will not be considered.

Interviews for the role will take place week commencing, 23/02/2026. Candidates who have been
shortlisted for interview will be contacted after the closing date. Due to the large number of applications
we receive, it will not be possible to contact or give feedback to candidates who have not been
shortlisted for interview.

Start date: 01/03/2026

Appointment to the role is subject to a satisfactory Basic Disclosure check. The Wallace Collection is an
equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

CANDIDATE PACK FOR PART TIME RETAIL ASSISTANT FIXED TERM CONTRACT - THE WALLACE COLLECTION