At a Glance
- Tasks: Support our vibrant volunteer programme with essential admin tasks and coordination.
- Company: Join the British Museum's friendly Volunteer Office team.
- Benefits: Enjoy free exhibition entry, 25 days' leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities as the Museum evolves.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of community engagement and make a real impact in a museum setting.
- Qualifications: Strong PC skills, some admin experience, and a passion for history.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Part-time, working 2 days a week (Tuesdays and ideally Wednesdays). On-site with occasional work from home days. Permanent.
About the role
We are looking for a highly organised, proactive Administrator to join our friendly and close-knit Volunteer’s Office. As our Volunteer Administrator, you will provide essential administrative support across the entire volunteer programme. From maintaining accurate records to supporting recruitment processes and helping coordinate volunteer-led activities, you will enjoy a varied role and be right at the centre of our busy and dynamic office. Throughout the year, there will be unique opportunities to see and learn about the Museum's collection when supporting volunteer events.
The volunteer programme is growing rapidly, with increasing demand across the Museum and a high level of activity throughout the year. You will be part of a supportive team that plays a vital role in the visitor experience, staff support, and community engagement. Your work will help ensure every volunteer has a positive, well-supported experience from the moment they apply, while prioritising consistency across core administrative tasks and improving processes where possible. This is a fantastic opportunity to support one of the Museum's most valued communities and play a key role in ensuring our volunteer programmes run smoothly, professionally, and with exceptional care. This is an exciting time to join, as the Museum's Masterplan will bring significant developments and new opportunities for the volunteers team.
Key areas of responsibility:
- Maintain volunteer databases and online management systems, ensuring information is accurate and up to date.
- Support the recruitment of new volunteers, including carrying out security and reference checks.
- Liaise with volunteers and prospective volunteers by phone, email, and in writing.
- Assist with volunteer training sessions, including preparing materials and setting up rooms.
- Coordinate administrative processes such as volunteer leavers, room bookings, and security pass renewals.
- Support the Volunteer Manager and Volunteer Coordinators with day-to-day administrative tasks including uploading ticketing information to the British Museum website, securing meeting rooms, renewing volunteer security passes, and more.
About you
This is an early careers opportunity and a great chance for someone who wishes to gain exposure to working in a museum environment. You will need:
- Strong PC literacy and confident use of Microsoft Office.
- Some previous administrative experience, ideally with experience working with databases.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
- Be passionate about the Museum, supporting volunteers, history, heritage sector or similar.
At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’ve designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here, but we’ve outlined some highlights below:
- Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years) for full-time employees.
- Peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community.
- Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
- Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.
- Enhanced parental leave including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
- Support for carers through Employers for Carers.
- Civil Service Pension Scheme with a secure, inflation-linked defined benefit.
- Interest-free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.
Our Values
Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:
- Care Deeply
- Embrace the Unknown
- Value Many Voices
These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.
At the British Museum, we are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process where every applicant has the opportunity to present their genuine strengths and experience in their own voice. While we recognise that AI tools can be helpful when preparing applications, we expect all submissions to accurately reflect everyone’s skills and background, and we may withdraw applications that appear to be generated entirely by AI. During interviews, we want to hear directly from candidates and therefore do not permit the use of AI to generate or support answers, though assistive technologies used as reasonable adjustments are fully welcomed. If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.
Unfortunately, for this role we are unable to offer Sponsorship to applicants. The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre-employment screening of Civil Servants.
Administrator: Volunteers in London employer: THE BRITISH MUSEUM
Contact Detail:
THE BRITISH MUSEUM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Administrator: Volunteers in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Museum's values inside out! When you’re chatting with them, drop in examples of how you care deeply, embrace the unknown, and value many voices. It shows you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their culture too.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former volunteers and staff at the Museum. Ask about their experiences and any tips they might have. This can give you insider knowledge that’ll make you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interview by thinking about how you can support the volunteer programme. Jot down ideas on improving processes or enhancing volunteer experiences. Showing initiative can really impress the hiring team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and being part of the Museum’s exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Administrator: Volunteers in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Organisational Skills: As an Administrator for Volunteers, being organised is key! Make sure to highlight any experience you have with maintaining records or managing databases. We want to see how you can keep things running smoothly!
Communicate Clearly: Effective communication is a must in this role. Use your application to demonstrate your written and verbal skills. Whether it's through emails or phone calls, show us how you can connect with volunteers and team members alike.
Reflect Our Values: We care deeply about our community and embrace diverse voices. When writing your application, think about how your experiences align with our values. Share examples that showcase your passion for supporting volunteers and the heritage sector.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at the Museum!
How to prepare for a job interview at THE BRITISH MUSEUM
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of the Volunteer Administrator position. Familiarise yourself with the key areas mentioned in the job description, such as maintaining volunteer databases and supporting recruitment processes. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As an Administrator, being organised is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or maintained accurate records. Highlight any experience you have with databases or Microsoft Office, as these are essential for the role. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the administrative demands of the position.
✨Emphasise Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role, so be ready to discuss how you've liaised with different stakeholders in previous positions. Whether it's through phone, email, or face-to-face interactions, share specific examples that showcase your ability to communicate clearly and professionally. This will reassure the interviewers that you can effectively engage with volunteers and prospective volunteers.
✨Align with the Museum's Values
The British Museum values care, embracing the unknown, and valuing many voices. During your interview, reflect on these values and provide examples from your own experiences that align with them. This will not only show that you understand the culture of the organisation but also that you are a good fit for their team.