Property Curator
| Posting date: | 21 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £36,621 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 03 August 2025 |
| Location: | Knole House, Knole, Sevenoaks, TN15 0RP |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | National Trust |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | IRC165343 |
Summary
We’re looking for an experienced Property Curator to join Knole's leadership team and lead with care, creativity and collaboration. This is a rare opportunity to work at one of the National Trust's Discovery Houses, care for a remarkable collection and deliver the curatorial vision for the site. Knole has welcomed visitors for over four hundred years. Across the centuries the grand showrooms have engaged visitors with world-class collections and royal connections. Furnished with, paintings, tapestries, furniture, silver and decorative arts the showrooms are at the heart of Knole’s vast estate.
As Property Curator you’ll lead and develop the Collections & House team, ensure the historic interiors and collections are well maintained and presented to our visitors in an engaging and creative setting.
This role is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract to cover a period of maternity leave, with handover and start planned for late summer into early autumn.
Please contact Knole’s General Manager, Hannah Kay with any queries about the role: or 01732 467157
What it's like to work here
Knole is a stunning property which boasts a 1000 acre deer park, historic showrooms with a world-class collection of paintings and furniture, sprawling courtyards, gatehouse tower and conservation studio. We are passionate about caring for this wonderful property and visitors are at the heart of all we do.
We are a busy team, who like a challenge and work at a fast pace. We work collaboratively with each other and the wider property and we're hands on and work together to get the job done.
What you'll be doing
Reporting directly to the General Manager, with professional support from internal specialists, you’ll lead with exceptional standards of care and presentation at this treasured medieval palace and former royal residence.
Your responsibilities will include project delivery, commissioning and overseeing object and interiors conservation, managing object acquisitions and loans, research, programme and interpretation development as well as sharing knowledge through tours, talks, lectures and media opportunities. You’ll also lead a successful team, ensuring cover for seven day per week opening, setting clear objectives and ensuring team training and skills development.
As Knole’s Property Curator, you'll be a key member of the Property Leadership team, working with other Heads of Department to deliver opening 363 days per year as well as guiding through plans for the year and longer-term goals.
This role involves some weekend work, with all Collections & House team members working one in four weekends on a rota system. This role will also include some Duty Management Support cover, alongside other senior staff members.
Who we're looking for
We value lived experience alongside formal knowledge and skills, and we welcome applicants who can demonstrate the following:
Experience in collections management and care, with an understanding of how to approach complex conservation needs in a thoughtful and inclusive way
Experience in team leadership and people management, including the ability to work collaboratively and support the growth and development of others
Ability to build meaningful connections with a wide range of community members, academic partners, and cultural audiences
Skills in working with research and analysis, including interpreting and responding to both internal and external insights
Interest in exploring and sharing Knole’s complex histories, with the ability to communicate stories through talks, tours, lectures, and creative interpretation
Ability to contribute to the day-to-day management of the property, including making clear and considered decisions
Relevant experience or qualifications in Art History, Museum Studies, or related fields — we recognise that practical experience can be just as valuable as formal education
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places
As Property Curator you’ll lead and develop the Collections & House team, ensure the historic interiors and collections are well maintained and presented to our visitors in an engaging and creative setting.
This role is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract to cover a period of maternity leave, with handover and start planned for late summer into early autumn.
Please contact Knole’s General Manager, Hannah Kay with any queries about the role: or 01732 467157
What it's like to work here
Knole is a stunning property which boasts a 1000 acre deer park, historic showrooms with a world-class collection of paintings and furniture, sprawling courtyards, gatehouse tower and conservation studio. We are passionate about caring for this wonderful property and visitors are at the heart of all we do.
We are a busy team, who like a challenge and work at a fast pace. We work collaboratively with each other and the wider property and we're hands on and work together to get the job done.
What you'll be doing
Reporting directly to the General Manager, with professional support from internal specialists, you’ll lead with exceptional standards of care and presentation at this treasured medieval palace and former royal residence.
Your responsibilities will include project delivery, commissioning and overseeing object and interiors conservation, managing object acquisitions and loans, research, programme and interpretation development as well as sharing knowledge through tours, talks, lectures and media opportunities. You’ll also lead a successful team, ensuring cover for seven day per week opening, setting clear objectives and ensuring team training and skills development.
As Knole’s Property Curator, you'll be a key member of the Property Leadership team, working with other Heads of Department to deliver opening 363 days per year as well as guiding through plans for the year and longer-term goals.
This role involves some weekend work, with all Collections & House team members working one in four weekends on a rota system. This role will also include some Duty Management Support cover, alongside other senior staff members.
Who we're looking for
We value lived experience alongside formal knowledge and skills, and we welcome applicants who can demonstrate the following:
Experience in collections management and care, with an understanding of how to approach complex conservation needs in a thoughtful and inclusive way
Experience in team leadership and people management, including the ability to work collaboratively and support the growth and development of others
Ability to build meaningful connections with a wide range of community members, academic partners, and cultural audiences
Skills in working with research and analysis, including interpreting and responding to both internal and external insights
Interest in exploring and sharing Knole’s complex histories, with the ability to communicate stories through talks, tours, lectures, and creative interpretation
Ability to contribute to the day-to-day management of the property, including making clear and considered decisions
Relevant experience or qualifications in Art History, Museum Studies, or related fields — we recognise that practical experience can be just as valuable as formal education
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places