Work for us

Exciting and flexible employment opportunities, excellent employee benefits, a rich creative heritage and beautiful surroundings make West Dean, incorporating KLC School of Design based in Chelsea, London, an inspiring place to work. If you feel you meet the person specification for any of our vacancies, we would love to hear from you.

Please note that we always endeavour to contact each candidate directly. Occasionally, due to volume of applicants, we are unable to respond to each unsuccessful candidate before the interview date. Speculative applications will be held for six months and candidates notified of any suitable vacancies.

Follow us on Twitter and Linkedin to get all the latest news and job vacancies. Email [email protected] for further information.

Please see our current vacancies below.

Hospitality vacancies at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation

Casual vacancies

We have the need for a variety of casual roles including:

Food Services Assistants
Chefs / Kitchen Assistants
Housekeepers

We offer flexible hours (including weekends and bank holidays), hours to meet the needs of the individuals and business. Casual roles offer flexible work patterns and the opportunity to work in several areas of the Estate. Successful candidates for all of the above roles will work primarily straight shifts.

Hourly Rate: £11.10 per hour plus holiday pay

If you would like to apply, please send your CV and in your email stating which postion/s you are applying for to The People Team at [email protected]

Current vacancies

Food Production/Estates

Chef de Partie - Restaurant

Chef de Partie - Refectory

Kitchen Assistant

Food & Outlet Services

Food Services Assistant

Academic & Student Services (London Campus)

Careers & Placement Officer

School of Design (London Campus)

Subject Tutor BA (Hons) Interior Design 0.6 FTE

Volunteer (Closing date: 15 December 2023)

Clerk to the Board of Trustees

Opportunities in conservation

Share your passion for conservation with the next generation of conservators. We are currently recruiting for some key roles in the Conservation team. Hear from Lizzie Neville, Head of School of Conservation on why we need you!

Benefits

As an employee you can expect to enjoy a wide range of benefits:

Annual leave - 25 days plus 8 bank holidays per annum or 28 days plus 8 bank holidays per annum for Heads of Department and above.
Generous contributory pension scheme, matching from 4% to 7.5%
Employee Assistance Programme
Cycle to work scheme
Free entry to West Dean Gardens
Complimentary staff access to events
Discounts on retail goods in our two shops
Free and discounted places on short courses at West Dean
Free use of West Dean facilities including swimming pool, library and tennis courts
Subsidised bed and breakfast rates
Discounts on event hire and food and beverage charges
Free on-site parking (Chichester)

Internships

West Dean works closely with the University of Chichester to provide paid internships to their degree students through the Graduate On Scheme. Occasionally we may also offer paid internships outside this scheme and these vacancies will be advertised on our website when available. If you have skills you feel would be beneficial to West Dean and Gardens and you would like to gain experience with us we have many volunteer opportunities as described below.

Volunteer at West Dean College and Gardens

Volunteer for us

Thank you for your interest in Volunteering at West Dean.

We rely heavily on the services of volunteers to further our charitable aims, and we are grateful for the support that our volunteers provide us.

If you are interested in volunteering for us, whether it is within our beautiful gardens, with our historic collections or as part of the conservation, design or arts schools, please complete the Volunteer Application Form and send to:

[email protected]

Diversity & Inclusivity and GDPR Policy

West Dean values the diversity of its staff and students. We aspire to be a fully inclusive and representative employer and do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, faith or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We strongly encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join our teams at West Dean.

Our GDPR compliant privacy notice for applicants can be viewed by clicking here. By applying for this job you confirm you have had the opportunity to read our privacy policy and therefore, agree to the terms and conditions contained therein. By applying for this job and sending us your personal data, including your CV, you give us your consent to contact you about this job or any other jobs we feel are suitable.

You are able to opt out of us having your data at any time, by contacting the People Department 01243 818276 or [email protected] with your request.

Help preserve our future

We are part of a registered charity and rely on the support of generous donors, members and legacies to help us deliver world-class education in conservation, design and the creative arts and maintain our award-winning gardens.

Find out how to support us