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Company Overview: The National Trust

Founded in 1895 by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter, and Hardwicke Rawnsley, the National Trust was established to act as a guardian for the nation’s places of historic interest or natural beauty. It is an independent charity, funded primarily through membership subscriptions, donations, legacies, and revenue from its commercial operations. This independence is central to its ability to act in the long-term interest of the places in its care, free from short-term political or commercial pressures.

The organisation is driven by its core purpose and values of inclusion, conservation, and enjoyment. It holds an unrivalled reputation as a custodian of the nation’s collective memory and natural beauty. The Trust’s focus is on innovative conservation practices, making heritage accessible and relevant to diverse audiences, and addressing urgent challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss. A profound commitment to volunteer management, visitor engagement, and sustainable funding underpins all its work.

Excellent Pay and Benefits

The National Trust offers a competitive package that recognises the value of its staff, balancing financial reward with the unique non-financial benefits of working for the charity. The National Trust employee benefits are designed to support well-being and foster a deep connection to the cause.

• Competitive Salary:Pay scales are benchmarked against the charity and relevant public sectors, with annual reviews.
• Pension:A generous contributory pension scheme, with the Trust contributing up to 10% of salary.
• Free Entry & Discounts:Unlimited free entry to National Trust places for you, your family, and friends, plus 20% discount in National Trust shops, cafes, and holiday cottages.
• Flexible Working:A strong commitment to work-life balance, with flexible hours, part-time roles, job-sharing, and hybrid working options for many head office positions.
• Professional Development:Significant investment in working perks at the National Trust, including extensive internal training, funding for external qualifications, and tailored leadership programmes.
• Health & Wellbeing:Employee assistance programme, cycle-to-work scheme, and life assurance. The opportunity to work in beautiful, often tranquil, environments is itself a notable well-being benefit.

Required Skills and Experience

The Trust seeks individuals who combine professional competency with a genuine passion for its cause. The National Trust hiring requirements vary from hands-on practical skills to specialist professional expertise.

• Relevant Experience & Qualifications:This ranges from vocational skills (horticulture, building trades, hospitality) to professional degrees (history, conservation, marketing, ecology). Specific roles require accredited expertise (e.g., curators, archaeologists).
• Practical & Specialist Skills:Could include visitor engagement, volunteer management, ecological survey techniques, heritage building conservation, collection care, or commercial income generation.
• Values Alignment:A demonstrable commitment to the Trust’s cause of conservation and access. Understanding of the challenges facing heritage and the environment is key.
• Key Competencies:Excellent communication skills for engaging diverse audiences, teamwork (often with volunteers), problem-solving in unique contexts, and a customer-service mindset.
• Flexibility:Willingness to work weekends, bank holidays, and outdoors in all weathers is essential for many property-based roles.

How to Submit Your Application For the National Trust Jobs?

The Trust manages its recruitment through a dedicated online portal. To successfully apply for National Trust careers, follow this dedicated process.

1. Visit the Careers Portal: Go to the National Trust Jobs website.
2. Search for Roles: Use the interactive map or filters to search by keyword, location, or job type (e.g., indoors/outdoors).
3. Create an Account:You will need to register on the site to save searches and apply for roles.
4. Complete the Application:Fill in the online form, which will include your details, CV, and crucially, a supporting statement. You must use this statement to evidence how you meet the criteria on the person specification.
5. Submit & Track:Submit your application before the deadline. You can track its progress through your account. The selection process often includes practical assessments or working interviews for property-based roles.

List of Exciting Job Opportunities

The Trust advertises hundreds of diverse roles. Below is a representative sample.

FAQs

1. Do I need a specific degree or qualification to work for the National Trust?
   While many specialist roles (e.g., curator, ecologist) require relevant degrees, countless roles value practical experience, vocational qualifications, and a passion for the cause above formal academic credentials. Always check the specific person specification for the role.
2. What are the opportunities for volunteering, and can it lead to a paid job?
   Volunteering is the bedrock of the Trust. Many paid staff start as volunteers. It’s an excellent way to gain experience, understand the organisation, and demonstrate your commitment, making you a strong candidate when paid vacancies arise.
3. Is the work seasonal?
   While there is a peak in seasonal (fixed-term) roles during the spring and summer, especially in visitor-facing positions, the Trust employs a large number of permanent, year-round staff in operations, conservation, and central functions.
4. How does the National Trust support career development?
   There are clear career pathways in areas like countryside management, gardening, and curation. The Trust runs its own internal “Academy” offering courses from leadership development to specialist conservation skills, and often supports further education.
5. What is the culture like?
   The culture is passionate, collaborative, and often described as a “family.” There is a shared sense of purpose that creates strong teams. It can be busy and demanding, especially during peak seasons, but is immensely fulfilling for those committed to the mission.

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