At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver world-class customer service to visitors via phone and email, plus face-to-face interactions.
- Company: Join the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and leading plant science institute.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, wellbeing support, and free entry to national museums.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to protect plants and fungi while gaining valuable customer service experience.
- Qualifications: Previous customer service experience and strong IT skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 29692 - 29692 £ per year.
Customer care plays a crucial role in the success of RBG Kew. Offering a 7-day service to a diverse audience encompassing day visitors, event ticket holders and a pool of over 100,000 members, it is central in upholding Kew's values and driving its ambitions. Reporting to the Customer Care Team Leader, the Seasonal Customer Support Assistant ensures the delivery of a world-class customer service to visitors across various touchpoints.
Mainly an office-based position dealing with telephone and e-mail enquiries, this role also includes occasional outdoor front-of-house duties with face-to-face interactions with visitors. Overall, the position of Seasonal Customer Support Assistant is essential to building and maintaining long-term relationships with all who visit RBG Kew.
This role operates across 7 days a week, covering the hours between 9am to 9pm on site at Kew. Shifts will primarily focus on evenings and weekends through the run of Halloween at Kew and Christmas at Kew. We are offering 4 fixed term contracts of 26 hours per week, which will normally be 5 shifts a week, 5.2 hours in length with a 30-minute break.
The main aim of the role is to support our autumn/winter seasonal events and will be in place from early October 2025 until mid-January 2025, depending on operational needs. Applicants should demonstrate excellent customer service skills with experience dealing with a range of customers and enquiries. Previous experience in a customer service role is essential.
We are also looking for applicants with the ability to prioritise effectively, remain calm under pressure, maintain confidence in a dynamic office environment and remain solutions focused. Attention to detail and accuracy in data entry is vital to this role as well as strong IT literacy, as the role involves daily use of multiple systems to communicate with and support our customers. Familiarity with Microsoft Suite programs and the ability to quickly learn new processes will be valuable assets for success in this position.
The salary for this position is £29,692 per annum (pro rata) [Band B]. Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.
At Kew, our strength lies in the diversity of our people and the insights they bring. When you join us, you will find an organisation that values your perspective and lived experience. You will receive support to achieve your full potential and access opportunities to develop and progress. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is ongoing, shaped by the people who work here and the communities we serve. As a disability confident employer, we are breaking down barriers to be an inclusive workplace for everyone.
Seasonal Customer Support Assistant employer: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, perfect for those passionate about digital product development. With a focus on employee growth and a competitive benefits package, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team in creating impactful digital services that enhance user experience while contributing to Kew's ambitious Digital Strategy. Located in a world-renowned botanical garden, this role offers a unique environment where your work can truly make a difference.
Contact Details:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Seasonal Customer Support Assistant
✨Hit the Ground Running with Seasonal Hiring!
Many customer support roles, especially seasonal ones, ramp up around holidays or special events. Keep an eye out for hiring fairs or open days in your area. Local businesses often need a boost during peak times, so don’t hesitate to drop in and chat directly with the team at places like Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities focused on customer support, like forums or social media groups. This is a fantastic way to connect with others in the field, learn about unadvertised roles, and share experiences. Plus, you never know when a connection might lead to an opportunity at places like Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
✨Show Off Your Skills!
Since you're targeting a seasonal role, create a quick online portfolio showcasing your customer support skills. Whether it’s resolving customer queries, handling difficult conversations, or just general customer engagement – put it all out there! Make sure to share the link when you apply to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
✨Be Prepared for the Busy Season
You know seasonal work can get intense, so brush up on common customer queries and best practices before interviews. When you’re prepared to talk about handling high-stress situations, it shows you’re ready to step in during the crunch periods. This is likely to impress the team at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew!
We think you need these skills to ace Seasonal Customer Support Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Support Skills:In your CV, make sure to highlight any previous experience you've had in customer support or related fields. This could include resolving customer issues, handling complaints, or even just being a go-to person for friends and family. Use specific examples that demonstrate your capability to help others effectively—the more relatable, the better!
Tailor Your Cover Letter with Enthusiasm:For a seasonal role at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, we want to see your excitement for both the job and the company. Use your cover letter to express why you're interested in customer support specifically and how you're eager to help customers during peak times. Mention any relevant skills or experiences that make you a perfect fit!
Flexibility is Key:Seasonal positions often require adaptability, so emphasise your willingness to work varying shifts or tackle new challenges. Let us know about your flexibility in your cover letter, as it shows you're ready to jump into action when needed and helps us understand your availability throughout the season.
Emphasise Soft Skills and Teamwork:In customer support, your soft skills are just as crucial as your experience. Highlight qualities like patience, empathy, and communication in your CV and cover letter. If you have examples of working in a team to solve problems or improve processes, shout about them—they'll show us how you can contribute to a great atmosphere at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
✨Showcase Your Customer Empathy
In customer support, empathy is key! Come prepared with examples from past experiences where you handled customer issues. Think of specific situations where you turned a frustrated customer into a satisfied one, because those real-life stories will show Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew that you've got the right attitude for their team.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with popular customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk. If you've used any chat or ticketing systems before, be ready to discuss how you navigated them and any challenges you overcame. This will demonstrate that you're not just a people person but also tech-savvy, which is super important in this field.
✨Prepare for Role-Playing Scenarios
Expect some role-playing during your interview where you'll be asked to deal with a hypothetical customer scenario. Practise handling common issues, such as a complaint about a product or service delay. This will give you a chance to display your problem-solving skills and how you maintain professionalism under pressure.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Enthusiasm
As this is a seasonal position, let your passion shine! Talk about your willingness to dive into the role, your adaptability to busy periods, and how you thrive in high-pressure environments. Share why you're excited to join Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew during this peak time and how you can be an asset to their team.
