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Recruitment & HR Officer at The Newt in Somerset - Luxury Hospitality and Commerce| Assoc CIPD
£30,000 per annum (pro rata), plus performance bonus and fantastic benefits
24 hours over 3 days, typically Wednesday to Friday. One weekend per month, scheduled in coordination with other team members
Due to the location of the Estate, a driving license is recommended
We’re looking for a people person with a passion for historic collections and a natural flair for public engagement to join our Curatorial Team. You’ll have at least three years’ experience within the heritage sector, with a strong understanding of caring for historic material and a proven ability to share it in imaginative and accessible ways.
Whether your background is in collections management, interpretation, public programming, or another related field, you’ll bring a track record of connecting audiences to heritage through engaging experiences — underpinned by practical experience of working with historic collections.
This part-time role is based at the Archive — the Newt’s curatorial hub — and the adjacent new exhibition space. It offers a unique opportunity to combine visitor-facing work with practical collections care. You’ll work closely with the wider team to care for, present and interpret the Newt’s privately owned historic collections — from longstanding holdings that reflect Hadspen’s past to a growing collection shaped by the Newt’s distinctive vision, soon to be displayed in a new permanent Exhibit opening in early 2026.
A key focus will be this Exhibit: you’ll help shape its content and interpretation, support its daily running, and lead exclusive tours. You’ll also contribute to smaller displays and research projects across the Newt and its other Exhibits helping to ensure the collection is cared for, visible, and meaningfully shared.
This is a multifaceted and outward-facing role for someone who enjoys sparking curiosity, inspiring conversation, and bringing heritage to life through direct contact with people and historic collections, while thriving in a high-energy, results-driven environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Assist with the curation, planning, launch and ongoing maintenance of a new permanent Exhibit scheduled for early 2026
* Support the curatorial care of the mixed collection
* Engagement, research and interpretation for various collections across the Estate
What we can offer
* A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
* Stay in shape with our complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes
* Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% of Spa Treatments.
* Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
* Discover exclusive perks with our Discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a fantastic 30% discount at our restaurants.
* Complimentary garden membership for the Newt and our partner gardens including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan
* Complimentary meal whilst on shift, created using fresh produce from our estate by our dedicated staff food chefs
* We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme “Newt Awards” with the opportunity to achieve a variety of amazing rewards including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
* Support from our Employee Assistance Programme for both yourself and your family
* A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities including monthly Gather and Grow Motivational Speakers and our regular fun squad events, which include activities such as Go-Karting and Wine Tasting, to name but a few.
* Access your earnings at anytime with Wagestream, with access to nationwide brand discounts
* Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team
What we're looking for
* People-focused, with excellent communication skills and confidence in public engagement.
* Heritage experience, with at least three years in museums, historic houses, or private collections.
* Practical collections care skills, including object handling, documentation, and preventive conservation.
* Organised and self-motivated, able to manage time, prioritise tasks, and adapt to changing needs.
* Collaborative and flexible, keen to contribute across exhibitions, interpretation, and collections work.
* Detail-oriented, with strong digital literacy and familiarity with collections systems (e.g. CollectionsIndex+).
* Knowledge of SPECTRUM standardsand good written communication skills.
* Experience with private collections and exhibition development.
* Background in high-quality, visitor-facing environments.
Our Archive Team
Honouring Hadspen’s past while shaping the Newt’s legacy, the Curatorial Team connects history with the present – and future – through considered care, curiosity, and purpose.
We don’t simply preserve history; we engage with it. Through thoughtful stewardship, collecting, and interpretation, we keep the estate’s layered stories visible, resonant, and alive.
Our work centres on two strands: caring for the historic collections that tell Hadspen’s story, and developing a new collection that reflects the Newt’s identity and evolving vision. Together, these holdings enrich the experience of visitors, guests, and staff alike.
Whether preserving the past or collecting with the future in mind, collections management remains at the heart of our work. We approach both strands with care, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility - for the history we preserve, and the legacy we are helping to shape.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
* Employment type
Part-time
Job function
* Job function
Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
* Industries
Hospitality
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