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- Tasks: Engage with visitors, deliver guided tours, and provide excellent customer service.
- Company: Join the historic Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days of annual leave, a pension scheme, and discounted travel options.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team and create memorable experiences for visitors from around the world.
- Qualifications: Confident communicator with customer service experience and a passion for heritage.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive environment for professional development.
The Bodleian Libraries welcome thousands of visitors each year to experience the historic heart of the University of Oxford. As part of the Front of House team, you will play a vital role in delivering a world‑class visitor experience across our sites. You will engage warmly with visitors from all over the world, delivering informative and engaging guided tours and helping to promote the Bodleian’s range of public offers, including ticketed experiences, exhibitions, and events. You will also provide excellent customer service at our public service points, ensuring that all visitors receive a positive and memorable experience.
You will work to a daily staffing schedule, rotating between different service points. This role involves moving around the historic buildings, walking groups of visitors on guided tours, and occasionally lifting and moving lightweight equipment. This is a permanent, part‑time post, with three vacancies available. All vacancies will involve weekend working.
- Vacancy 1: 20.38 hours per week / 0.5584 FTE - Week 1: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday; Week 2: Monday, Tuesday, Friday
- Vacancy 2: 20 hours per week / 0.5479 FTE - Week 1: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday; Week 2: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- Vacancy 3: 13 hours per week / 0.3562 FTE - Monday, Sunday (same pattern each week)
You will be a confident and enthusiastic communicator with a genuine passion for engaging with the public. You will have previous experience in a customer‑facing role and be comfortable speaking clearly to diverse audiences, including international visitors and large groups. You will be adaptable, reliable, and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. You will demonstrate good organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. A strong interest in heritage, culture, or education would be an advantage.
What We Offer:
- An excellent contributory pension scheme
- 38 days of annual leave
- A comprehensive range of childcare services
- Family leave schemes
- Cycle loan scheme
- Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
Diversity: Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family‑friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave. We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible.
If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk.
How to Apply: You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the attached template as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. Both documents must be submitted to be considered.
We aim to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. The Chair of this recruitment panel will be Jacob Firth, who can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (jacob.firth@bodleian.ox.ac.uk). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department (recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk).
Only applications received online before 12.00 midday (GMT) on Monday 17th November 2025 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing Monday 24th November 2025. The anticipated start date is Monday 5th January 2026.
Front of House Visitor Host - 3 posts employer: Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM), University of Oxford
Contact Detail:
Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM), University of Oxford Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Front of House Visitor Host - 3 posts
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Bodleian Libraries! Familiarise yourself with their history, exhibitions, and events. This will not only help you during interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Engage with friends or family as if they were visitors. This will boost your confidence and help you articulate your passion for customer service.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your adaptability! Think of examples from past experiences where you’ve had to think on your feet or handle unexpected situations. This is key for a role that involves engaging with diverse audiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and comfortable with online processes, which is a bonus in today’s job market.
We think you need these skills to ace Front of House Visitor Host - 3 posts
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for engaging with the public shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about providing a world-class visitor experience!
Tailor Your Supporting Evidence: Make sure to carefully address each of the essential and desirable criteria listed in the job description. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate how you meet these requirements, so don’t hold back!
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we love detail, clarity is key! Make sure your CV and supporting evidence form are easy to read and straight to the point. This will help us quickly see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your documents and can consider you for one of the exciting roles we have available.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM), University of Oxford
✨Know the Bodleian Libraries
Familiarise yourself with the history and significance of the Bodleian Libraries. Understanding its role within the University of Oxford will help you engage more meaningfully during the interview, showing your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples from your previous roles where you provided excellent customer service. Highlight situations where you engaged with diverse audiences or handled challenging scenarios, as this will demonstrate your ability to connect with visitors effectively.
✨Practice Your Communication Style
Since the role involves guiding tours and interacting with large groups, practice speaking clearly and confidently. You might even want to rehearse a short tour script to showcase your ability to engage an audience and convey information effectively.
✨Be Ready for Teamwork Questions
Expect questions about working in a team, as collaboration is key in this role. Think of specific instances where you worked well with others, adapted to different team dynamics, and contributed positively to group efforts.