At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with visitors, assist in retail operations, and promote Scotland's rich history.
- Company: Join Historic Environment Scotland at the iconic Stirling Castle.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and free entry to all properties.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for personal development await you.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting team that creates memorable experiences for visitors from around the world.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and a passion for engaging with diverse groups.
The predicted salary is between 30600 - 37400 £ per year.
Starting salary: £27,740 pro-rata per year
Contract type: Full year variable - Permanent
Location: Stirling Castle
Working Hours: April – September, 35 hours 4 on, 2 off rota. October – March, 28 hours, 4 working days per week
Your role of Retail Assistant will be a full year variable position. The likely start date for this role is in November 2026.
Are you looking for a job that is both fun and unique? You'll get an insight into Scotland's rich history and gain valuable experience in the tourism industry and help bring Scotland's dramatic history to life for our visitors from across the world. Explore the fascinating stories from Scotland's past and share your passion with international and local visitors who come to Stirling Castle.
This is an exciting opportunity to work for the lead body responsible for the historic environment in Scotland. You will be actively involved in work which supports providing the best experience for our visitors.
We are looking for someone who enjoys interacting with diverse groups of people, who has a passion for customer service and who would thrive in a fast paced and constantly changing workplace. Stirling Castle staff pride themselves on delivering a first-class visitor service.
Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland:
- Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution
- 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) + 11.5 public holidays
- Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
- Support for further education and personal development
- Study leave for work related courses
- Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
- Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
- Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties
Key Responsibilities of this role:
- Engage with customers helping them with their buying decisions and answering any questions to improve their enjoyment of the Castle.
- Carry out the daily operational duties of the shop as requested by the Retail Supervisor or Manager.
- Processing and promotion of retail transactions through the till system.
- Responsibility for the retail areas including ordering of stock, pricing, rotation and attractive display of stock.
- Ensure a high standard of presentation throughout the site, including following appropriate cleaning processes in both public and staff areas.
- Processing sales, while ensuring that all financial procedures are adhered to and carried out accurately and efficiently.
- Support the team in achievement of quality assurance Key Performance Indicators as well as working together to achieve overall commercial performance targets.
- Assist with pop-up retail events both within the castle grounds and the local community.
- Actively support HES seminars, events, functions and promotions.
- Strive to provide the warmest welcome to our visitors and engage proactively with customer service.
- Proactively communicate with colleagues across the site to ensure high performance, standards and consistency.
- Work as part of a team to ensure that the Customer Service Industry Standards and Quality Services Awards are maintained and participate in local action plan delivery.
- Maximise commercial opportunities and capitalise on income generating opportunities through selling and upselling appropriate merchandise and promoting other sites and products.
- Assist Retail Supervisor to ensure accurate stock management and assist with stock ordering and deliveries as required.
- Ensure the security of the site, buildings and contents, including acting as key holder (where required).
- Ensure that the health and safety of staff, visitors and contractors is always paramount and follow correct procedures to ensure safe operation of any equipment.
Key requirements of the role:
- Experience delivering high standards of customer service.
- Retail or admissions sales experience.
- Experience in working in a high end fast paced retail environment.
- Excellent team working skills.
- Experience dealing with cash, credit transactions and end of day procedures.
We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity.
We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at recruit@hes.scot or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.
Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.
To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ section followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.
Retail Assistant - Stirling Castle employer: Historic Environment Scotland
At Historic Environment Scotland, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values professional development and employee well-being. Located at the iconic Stirling Castle, our team enjoys flexible working hours, generous leave entitlements, and opportunities for further education, all while contributing to enriching local communities through memorable events. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that delivers outstanding experiences in a historic setting.
Contact Details:
Historic Environment Scotland Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Assistant - Stirling Castle
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Historic Environment Scotland, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Historic Environment Scotland!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Assistant - Stirling Castle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Historic Environment Scotland, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Historic Environment Scotland and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Historic Environment Scotland that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Historic Environment Scotland
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
