Retail Assistant (Visitor Experience Assistant)

About West Dean

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is a truly unique place where arts, heritage, and visitor experiences come together. Set within the stunning South Downs near Chichester, the 6,350-acre estate is home to [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], award-winning gardens, historic buildings, and a vibrant creative community. Alongside its Sussex campus, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] also operates the prestigious KLC School of Design in London, offering a dynamic blend of countryside and city life.

The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and customer-focused Visitor Experience Assistant to join our Gardens Gatehouse team on a casual basis. This is a varied and rewarding role where you will help deliver exceptional experiences to every visitor, ensuring they feel welcomed, informed, and inspired throughout their time at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Gardens.

As a key member of the team, you will engage with visitors to share the story, heritage, and seasonal highlights of [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], helping to create memorable and meaningful visits. You will also support the smooth day-to-day running of the Gatehouse, contributing to retail operations, plant sales, and overall visitor engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a warm and professional welcome to all visitors, offering information about the gardens, events, and activities.
• Support retail operations by processing transactions, maintaining stock levels, and ensuring displays are attractive, organised, and in line with seasonal themes.
• Assist with merchandising, stock control, and plant care, including watering and maintaining plants for sale.
• Help deliver visitor experiences such as tours and tasters, support ticketing and booking systems, and confidently use digital tools for sales and memberships.
• Take ownership of the visitor journey within the Gatehouse, ensuring a clean, safe, and welcoming environment at all times.
• Handle cash reconciliation when required, support security and health and safety procedures, and build positive relationships with colleagues, visitors, and stakeholders.

What We’re Looking For

• Passion for customer service and genuine enthusiasm for engaging with people.
• Previous experience in a retail or customer-facing environment.
• Confidence handling transactions and using point-of-sale systems.
• Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Proactive and adaptable approach, ability to manage changing priorities.
• Interest in gardens, plants, or visitor attractions would be beneficial but not essential.

Salary and Benefits

Salary: £12.77 per hour plus 12.07% holiday pay

Hours: Casual, working as and when required

This role offers flexibility and the opportunity to work in a beautiful and inspiring environment, contributing to a positive and memorable visitor experience.

Location

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], West Sussex (PO18 0QZ), set within the South Downs National Park.

Why Join Us

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a welcoming and passionate team, working in one of the UK’s most distinctive cultural and heritage settings. You’ll play a key role in creating exceptional visitor experiences while enjoying a unique and scenic workplace.

Apply Now

If you are friendly, reliable, and passionate about delivering outstanding customer service, we would love to hear from you. Apply via the [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] careers site.