At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist with guest services and manage accommodation for conferences and B&B guests.
- Company: St John's College, a prestigious part of the University of Cambridge.
- Benefits: Earn £12.71 per hour with flexible casual hours during summer.
- Other info: Opportunity to work independently and develop problem-solving skills.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience in customer service while working in a historic college environment.
- Qualifications: Good communication skills and previous customer-facing experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 12 £ per hour.
Salary: £12.71 per hour
Job type: Casual
Hours: Two casual posts covering Monday to Sunday on a rota basis, with shifts between 1pm and 9pm.
St John’s College, one of the largest Colleges within the University of Cambridge, is seeking to appoint two Casual Conference Assistants to work during the summer holidays from June to the end of September, supporting the Bed and Breakfast and Conference period.
The role involves:
- Assisting in the management of College accommodation for conference and B&B guests.
- Providing a professional and welcoming front of house service.
- Greeting arriving and departing guests, issuing and receiving room keys, and maintaining accurate records using the accommodation management system.
- Supporting the duty porter in responding to guest queries and resolving issues.
- Ensuring a high standard of customer service while maintaining security and minimising disruption to College operations.
You will have:
- Good literacy and numeracy skills.
- Computer literacy.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills.
- The ability to work independently, use initiative to resolve problems, and make sound decisions within established procedures.
Previous experience in a customer-facing role and familiarity with systems such as KX, Microsoft Teams, and Outlook would be advantageous.
Before You Apply – Please Read:
- Please include a CV and covering letter with your application.
- The closing date for the receipt of completed applications is 9.00am on 21 May 2026.
- Interviews are expected to be held during the week commencing 1 June 2026.
- Please be advised that you will receive system-generated updates regarding the status of your application after it is submitted directly through our recruitment system to the email address you provided.
- To ensure you receive all communications without interruption, we kindly ask that you add the following email addresses to your safe sender list: peoplexd@accessacloud.com, recruitment@joh.cam.ac.uk.
- Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we find a suitable candidate.
In applying for this role, you will provide personal data which the College will process in accordance with its data protection obligations and its Data Protection Policy.
Casual Conference Assistant in Cambridge employer: St Johns College
Contact Detail:
St Johns College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Casual Conference Assistant in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the College! Research St John’s College and its values. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since this role is all about providing a welcoming front of house service, think of scenarios where you can demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and communication skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees if you can. They can give you insider tips on what the College looks for in a Casual Conference Assistant and might even put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll receive updates directly to your email, so you won’t miss any important info about your application status.
We think you need these skills to ace Casual Conference Assistant in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Stellar CV: Your CV is your first impression, so make it count! Highlight your customer service experience and any relevant skills, like being computer literate. Keep it clear and concise – we want to see what makes you shine!
Personalise Your Covering Letter: Don’t just send a generic letter! Tailor it to the Casual Conference Assistant role by mentioning specific experiences that relate to the job description. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for our team at St John’s College.
Follow the Application Instructions: Make sure you include both your CV and covering letter when applying. We love it when candidates pay attention to detail, so double-check that you’ve followed all the instructions before hitting send!
Apply Early!: We encourage early applications as we might close the vacancy if we find the right candidate. Don’t wait until the last minute – get your application in through our website and stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Johns College
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Make sure you understand what a Casual Conference Assistant does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities like greeting guests, managing room keys, and using the accommodation management system. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role is all about providing excellent customer service, think of examples from your past experiences where you've gone above and beyond for a customer. Be ready to discuss how you handled difficult situations or resolved issues, as this will demonstrate your ability to maintain high standards under pressure.
✨Brush Up on Tech Skills
If you're familiar with systems like KX, Microsoft Teams, and Outlook, make sure to mention this during the interview. If not, take some time to learn the basics. Being computer literate is key for this role, and showing that you're tech-savvy can give you an edge over other candidates.
✨Prepare Questions to Ask
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare some thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. This could be about the team you'll be working with, the types of events you'll assist with, or how success is measured in this role. It shows you're engaged and serious about the opportunity.