Visitor Experience Assistant

Starting salary: £27,740
Contract type: Part Year Permanent
Grade: 1
Location: Iona Abbey, Isle of Iona, Argyll
Working Hours: 5 out of 7, 35 hours per week
Interviews: To be held in person at Iona Abbey on Week Commencing 6th July (TEAMs option may be available)

Your role of Visitor Experience Assistant will be a part year permanent position from April to end September each year. Are you looking for a flexible seasonal job that is both fun and unique? You will 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 Iona during the season. Our Visitor Experience Assistant role delivers the highest standards of visitor experience at Iona Abbey and Nunnery working across all areas, including in the shop, admissions area and outside, with delivery of guided tours a core part of the role.

For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description Updated 2026 Iona Abbey VEA - 6 month.pdf for this post. Please note that if you don't have Office 365 installed on your device, this can be opened using your browser.

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

• Provide the warmest welcome to our visitors and engage proactively with customer service.

• Process and promote retail and admissions transactions through the till system.

• Ensure a high standard of presentation throughout the site, following appropriate cleaning processes in both public and staff areas.

• Work as a team to achieve quality assurance Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

• Actively support in HES seminars, events, functions and promotions.

• Deliver guided tours/talks as part of the core visitor experience.

• Proactively communicate with colleagues across the site to ensure high performance, standards and consistency.

• Support the Monument Manager on partnership and community engagement initiatives and projects, including volunteering, weddings and other events.

• Working together with your monument team to achieve overall commercial performance targets.

• Promote commercial opportunities within the monument, such as upcoming events and retail products where appropriate.

• Assist Monument Manager 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 paramount at all times and follow correct procedures to ensure safe operation of any equipment

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to complete a cover letter which addresses:

1. Why you are interested in the post with Historic Environment Scotland

2. How you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 800 words), using examples of where you have used these skills in the past.

Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing, as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential Criteria:

• Experience delivering high standards of customer service in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent team working skills.

• Cash handling experience or willingness to undertake training.

• A genuine interest for working in the heritage tourism industry.

• Ability to work independently at times.

• IT skills and the ability to use basic online functions

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description Updated 2026 Iona Abbey VEA - 6 month.pdf.

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. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

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.