VISITOR ENGAGEMENT ASSISTANT
Employment Type: 32 hours
Wage: £12.71 per hour
Reporting To: Head of Heritage and Culture
Location: St Giles’ Cathedral
About the Role
The Visitor Engagement Assistant plays a key role in welcoming and supporting the many visitors who come to St Giles’ Cathedral each year. As one of the first points of contact, the postholder helps ensure that every visitor enjoys a warm, informative, and respectful experience within this historic and active place of worship.
The role combines visitor engagement, interpretation, guiding, and retail responsibilities. The postholder will help visitors understand the history, architecture, and ongoing life of the cathedral while also supporting the cathedral shop and encouraging donations that help sustain the care of the building and its mission.
Key Responsibilities
Visitor Engagement
Provide a warm and friendly welcome to all visitors to the cathedral.
Respond to visitor enquiries and provide helpful information about the cathedral, chapels, displays, and facilities.
Help ensure visitors understand and respect the cathedral as a working place of worship.
Support a positive, inclusive, and accessible experience for all visitors.
Guiding & Interpretation
Share engaging information about the history, architecture, and significance of St Giles’ Cathedral with visitors.
Deliver informal talks or guided tours where required.
Interpret the cathedral’s history, heritage, and religious life in a way that is engaging and accessible to a wide range of visitors.
Encourage visitors to explore key areas of the building and highlight notable features and stories.
Support the use and upkeep of interpretation materials, displays, and visitor information.
Retail & Donations
Assist with the daily operation of the cathedral shop, including selling merchandise, guidebooks, and souvenirs.
Operate the till and handle payments in accordance with cathedral procedures.
Maintain attractive and well-stocked retail displays.
Encourage voluntary donations in a polite and informative manner.
Visitor Operations
Assist with managing visitor flow during busy periods.
Help maintain clear signage and directions for visitors.
Assist visitors with accessibility needs where appropriate.
Cathedral Presentation
Help maintain the cleanliness and presentation of visitor areas.
Ensure information materials and leaflets are well stocked and displayed.
Report maintenance or safety concerns to the appropriate staff.
Events & Services Support
Assist with preparations for concerts, tours, services, and special events.
Help guide visitors during events and maintain a respectful atmosphere during worship.
Person Specification
Essential
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Friendly, welcoming, and confident when interacting with visitors.
Ability to present information clearly and engage a wide range of audiences.
Ability to work as part of a team in a busy visitor environment.
Good numeracy and confidence handling payments.
Interest in heritage, history, or religious buildings.
Reliable, responsible, and attentive to detail.
Desirable
Experience in guiding, interpretation, or public speaking.
Experience in retail, visitor services, tourism, museums, or heritage sites.
Knowledge of the history of St Giles’ Cathedral or Scottish heritage.
Experience using retail or point-of-sale systems.
Additional language skills.
To apply please email your CV and a cover letter to Sarah O’Connor, Head of Heritage & Culture, by end of day on Friday 29th May.