RSN Embroidery Studio Administrator

• £30,000 FTE
• 21 hours per week (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) based on site at Hampton Court Palace

The Royal School of Needlework is the international centre of excellence for the art of hand embroidery. It is based at Hampton Court Palace where it teaches hand embroidery at all levels and runs a commercial Studio for new commissions and conservation. We are now looking for a new Studio Administrator to join our small Team. 

We need a dynamic, customer-facing, attention to detail, discrete team member, to support the Studio and in particular the Head of Studio and Studio Manager. Our renowned Embroidery Studio creates stunning bespoke embroidery as well as expertly restoring and conserving valuable and historical embroidered pieces for royalty, Cathedrals and Churches, Interior Designers and private clients. 

The role is to provide administrative support to the RSN Embroidery Studio. This includes day to day administration and finance tasks for the studio as well updating the Studio website. Finally, meeting and greeting clients, collecting them from Reception and bring them through to the Studio.  

Specific duties and responsibilities: 

1. Undertake all administrative tasks for the RSN Studio including; preparing dockets,
   estimates and invoices (in Sage); collating and transcribing timesheet information;
   producing monthly figures for Finance (in Excel); ensuring the database (ThankQ) and
   customer files are kept updated including communication re decisions; keeping control
   of late payers/debtors.
2. Update the Studio pages of the RSN Embroidery Studio website with relevant images and messages.
3. Undertake all ordering for the Studio for job materials, and, in conjunction with
   colleagues, domestic supplies.
4. Arrange collections and deliveries by external sub-contractors.
5. Support mailings and other promotional activities for the Studio, (quarterly).
6. Ensure the Studio is kept presentable, in conjunction with colleagues especially when
   tours and clients are due to visit.
7. Ensure Palace Maintenance are informed of any faults in Studio facilities.
8. Download and file photographs of Studio commissions.
9. Report any health and safety issues to either the Palace or to the Chief Executive.
10. Carry out monthly Fire safety checks.
11. Carry out regular pest control and monitoring activities that might affect Studio stock.
12. Answer customer telephone calls, passing them to specialist members of staff when
    necessary.
13. Attend weekly Operations meetings.
14. Meet clients at reception and escort them to the RSN.
15. Collect deliveries from the Post Room or Garage when necessary.
16. Pack customers’ jobs to be sent by Special Delivery or courier.
17. Frank and process post when necessary and, from time to time help out with major
    mailings on behalf of the RSN.
18. Anything else as required by the Studio Manager, Head of Studio and Standards or the Chief Executive. 

Skills Essential: 

• Typing, Literacy and numeracy  
• Demonstrable knowledge of Word, Excel, Sage (preferable but not essential)  
• Good customer-facing skills  
• Attention to detail  
• Ability to work in a small team with changing personnel  
• Good telephone manner  

Desirable 

• Ability to write short copy on projects  
• Good negotiating skills 
• An interest in textiles and embroidery 

Please send your CV and a covering letter stating why you would like to work for the RSN and what makes you suitable for the role to [email protected] by midday on Friday 28^th February.  This role requires you to be on site at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey.

All of the tutors at the Royal School of Needlework have been trained here at the RSN to our high technical standard. You can become an RSN Tutor by joining our three year, full time Professional Embroidery Tutor Programme.

See the full Professional Embroidery Tutor Programme course details here.

We need enthusiastic, skills-based regular volunteers to help with certain aspects of our work.  If you would like to join the RSN volunteer team we can give job-specific training, but we are primarily looking for individuals with the following skills:

• Computer-literacy for data entry work and website updates
• Administration skills and help with mailings
• Retail, customer service and e-commerce experience
• Tour leaders with experience of public speaking
• Collection cataloguing and help with archiving materials
• Library cataloguing and administration

To apply to volunteer at the RSN, please email your CV and Cover Letter to:
[email protected]