Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome visitors, answer questions, and enhance their experience at the museum.
- Company: Join the Science Museum Group, a leader in inspiring curiosity through science and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, discounts, and support for major life events.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team creating memorable experiences in a world-class museum.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service, excellent communication skills, and a positive team spirit required.
- Other info: Part-time role with weekend and evening shifts; apply even if you don't meet every requirement!
Do you enjoy delivering high-quality service and want to help visitors connect with one of the UK\’s most iconic railway collections? Are you interested in creating welcoming and memorable experiences for all?
About us
The Science Museum Group (SMG) encompasses the Science Museum (London), the National Railway Museum (York), the Science and Industry Museum (Manchester), the Science and Media Museum (Bradford), Locomotion (Shildon), and the Science and Innovation Park (Wiltshire). Together, we form the world\’s leading group of science museums.
At SMG, we aim to Inspire Futures by igniting curiosity through science, technology, engineering, and maths. Locomotion in Shildon is home to one of the largest railway collections in the world – and it\’s our mission to share these stories with as many people as possible.
About the role
We\’re looking for a Visitor Experience & Retail Assistant to join our front-of-house team at Locomotion in Shildon. This is a part-time role (22.5 hours/week) on a fixed-term basis, where you will be essential in ensuring that every visitor is welcomed and engaged.
As part of our visitor-facing team, you\’ll greet visitors, answer their questions, introduce them to our site and collections, and ensure they have an enjoyable experience. You\’ll also support retail operations by keeping the shop well-stocked and presenting merchandise in an appealing way. Your role will include promoting visitor donations, helping with group bookings, monitoring health and safety, and assisting with security and site operations.
You\’ll work closely with colleagues across teams to provide a warm and inclusive environment, represent the Science Museum Group with pride, and contribute to the day-to-day running of the museum.
This role requires weekend working and occasional evenings to support special events and projects. The position is based onsite at Locomotion, Shildon.
The team
You\’ll be joining a skilled team of visitor experience and retail professionals who are committed to heritage, service, and storytelling. Together, we\’re committed to ensuring every visitor feels valued, supported, and inspired.
About you
We\’re looking for someone friendly, motivated, and ready to be part of a team that enhances our visitors\’ experiences.
You will have:
- Experience working in a high-quality visitor-facing or customer service role.
- Skills in using tills and handling cash.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to effectively use IT systems.
- A cooperative, positive approach and the ability to work well in a team.
We\’d also love to hear from you if you:
- Have experience working in museums, galleries, or cultural venues.
- Have worked in a retail environment.
- Are familiar with museum best practices around collections and visitor engagement.
If you\’re interested in this opportunity but not sure you meet every point, please still apply – we\’d love to hear from you.
Applying
View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under \’Attachments\’ on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click \’Apply Online\’ to submit an application.
What we offer
Working with a world-leading museum group, you\’ll benefit from the following, as well as support for major life events including parental leave, sickness, and career breaks:
- Meaningful work – Play a key role in delivering outstanding visitor experiences.
- Career growth – Access to training and development within SMG.
- Work/life balance – Enjoy 27 days annual leave pro rata (plus bank holidays).
- Wellbeing support – Access to an employee assistance programme and wellbeing resources.
- Colleague networks – Join forums for shared interests and support.
- Great discounts РFree museum entry and discounts in our shops and caf̩s.
- Open for All – A commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity at every level.
Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group\’s five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Visitor Experience & Retail Assistant employer: Science Museum Group
Contact Detail:
Science Museum Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Visitor Experience & Retail Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Science Museum Group and its various locations, especially Locomotion in Shildon. Understanding their mission and values will help you connect with the team and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role during any interactions.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with current or former employees of the Science Museum Group on platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when applying.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your customer service skills by thinking of specific examples from your past experiences. Be ready to discuss how you've created memorable experiences for visitors or customers, as this is key for the Visitor Experience & Retail Assistant role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on upcoming events or exhibitions at Locomotion and the wider Science Museum Group. Showing that you are informed about their activities can set you apart and demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their visitor experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Visitor Experience & Retail Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in customer service or visitor-facing roles. Emphasise any previous work in museums, galleries, or retail environments, as well as your communication skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for delivering high-quality service and creating memorable experiences. Mention specific examples of how you've engaged with customers in the past and how you can contribute to the Science Museum Group's mission.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your skills in using tills, handling cash, and working with IT systems. These are essential for the role, so make sure they stand out.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role: Express your excitement about the opportunity to work at Locomotion and your commitment to providing a warm and inclusive environment for visitors. This will help convey your motivation and fit for the team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Science Museum Group
✨Show Your Passion for Visitor Experience
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for creating memorable experiences for visitors. Share any relevant experiences where you went above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction, as this aligns perfectly with the role's focus on high-quality service.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves working closely with colleagues, be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully collaborated in a team environment. Highlight your cooperative approach and how you contribute positively to team dynamics.
✨Familiarise Yourself with the Museum's Collections
Research the Science Museum Group and its collections, especially the railway exhibits at Locomotion. Being knowledgeable about the museum's offerings will show your genuine interest and help you engage visitors effectively during the interview.
✨Prepare for Customer Service Scenarios
Think of potential customer service scenarios you might encounter in this role. Be ready to discuss how you would handle various situations, such as dealing with difficult visitors or promoting donations, showcasing your problem-solving skills and communication abilities.
