Be part of the team behind one of the world's great museums.
Would you enjoy working somewhere where history, art and culture are part of everyday life?
The Ashmolean Museum is looking for a friendly, organised and dependable part-time Security Receptionist to join our team.
This permanent part-time role is 22.484 hours per week (0.616 FTE), working Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 to 15:30.
Opened in 1683 as Britain’s first public museum and the world’s first university museum, the Ashmolean is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology and home to internationally significant collections spanning thousands of years of human history.
As our Security Receptionist, you will play an important part in the daily life of the Museum, helping us provide a professional, safe, secure and welcoming environment for everyone who works with and visits us. This is a varied and responsible role at the heart of the Museum’s day-to-day operations. You will be a trusted point of contact for colleagues and everyone arriving through the staff entrance.
The role
Working as part of the security team, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the staff reception desk. You will welcome staff, visitors, contractors and couriers, respond to enquiries and help ensure that people entering the Museum receive a professional and helpful service. This is a varied role combining reception, security, customer service, administration and operational support. Your responsibilities will include:
- Welcoming staff, visitors, contractors and couriers and providing a professional reception service
- Managing telephone calls, emails and enquiries and resolving or escalating them appropriately
- Operating visitor management and key management systems
About you
Previous experience in a reception, front of house or customer-facing role is essential. Experience within a museum, heritage or similar public sector environment would be advantageous but is not essential. We are looking for someone who is approachable, reliable and comfortable dealing with a wide range of people. You will enjoy providing excellent service, take pride in getting the details right and be able to remain calm and professional when things get busy. You will have:
- Previous experience in a reception, front of house or customer-facing role
- Strong written and verbal communication and customer service skills
- Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing tasks accurately
Opportunities for further training may include relevant security licences and first aid qualifications.
Benefits
As part of the University of Oxford and the Ashmolean Museum, you will have access to a wide range of staff benefits, including a generous holiday entitlement, University pension scheme and travel benefits, including discounted bus and train travel.
Why join the Ashmolean?
You will be joining a supportive team in one of Oxford’s most distinctive working environments. Your contribution will be visible and valued, whether you are welcoming colleagues and visitors, helping the Museum operate smoothly or responding when something unexpected happens. Every shift contributes to the safe, secure and successful operation of a Museum that has welcomed people since 1683.
How to apply
Applications must be made through the University of Oxford recruitment website. Please submit your cv and a supporting evidence form explaining how your skills and experience meet the selection criteria for the role. This post is subject to additional security pre-employment checks. Stewart Mann, Security Systems and Operations Manager can be contacted with enquiries relating to the role (stewart.mann@ashmus.ox.ac.uk). General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department (recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk).
Closing date
Applications close at 12:00 GMT on Monday 16th November 2026. Interview are expected to take place on the week commencing 30th November 2026
Join the Ashmolean and play your part in protecting the past while supporting the present.