Facilities Assistant

About the Role

We are looking for a proactive, practical and highly organised Facilities Assistant to support the day-to-day operation of Serpentine’s buildings and grounds. As part of the Facilities team, the Facilities Assistant will help ensure that our galleries, offices and event spaces are safe, secure, well-maintained and presented to the highest possible standard for staff, visitors, artists and partners. The role combines hands-on maintenance responsibilities with operational support, requiring a strong awareness of health and safety, excellent problem-solving skills and a flexible approach to changing priorities.

Person Specification

• Experience in providing facilities support for both soft and hard services.
• An understanding of health and safety requirements with an ability to identify building concerns.
• Excellent verbal communication skills to collaborate and liaise with various departments.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• The ability to work individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
• A flexible, reliable and conscientious approach to work.
• IT kills and use of Microsoft office software.
• Availability to work unsociable hours when required, including weekends, evenings and public holidays.
• A willingness to undertake relevant to the role training as required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Health & Safety

• Undertake daily walks of buildings, reporting any concerns to the Facilities Manager.
• Proactively monitor fire exit routes, ensuring they are always maintained.
• Uphold Health and Safety in all working areas ensuring they comply with policies and procedures.

Security

• Monitor security reporting any breaches immediately to the Facilities Manager.
• Support the Facilities Manager as required with liaising with external contractors.

Office Maintenance

• Identify and undertake general maintenance tasks such as painting and general repairs
• Provide reception cover during silent hours.
• Respond to daily office requests such as photocopier/printer issues.
• Porter duties (across both sites), including post, deliveries and supply/install of furniture.
• Regularly review stationery stocks and replenish supplies as necessary.
• Conduct a daily handover to include jobs completed/outstanding issues.

General Maintenance

• Maintenance of external areas, including grounds, bin stores and external service lift.
• Monitor and maintain consumable stocks.
• Maintain general office tidiness and report any issues.
• Prepare event spaces to ensure they are presented at the highest possible standard.
• Provide support to the events team during an event setup ensuring everything requested is provided.
• Clear the bin yard before an event and provide power box (if requested).

General Duties

• Be a champion for Arts Council England’s Inclusivity and Relevance Investment Principle to ensure best practice through a proactive approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Adhere and actively contribute to all Serpentine policies, including Dignity at Work and Health & Safety.
• Any other activities as are necessary for the operation of the Facilities Team and its strategic objectives.

This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required for this role and does not form part of the contract of employment. It is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and does not preclude change or development which may be required in the future.

Job Benefits

Hours:
The Facilities Team are operational 7 days per week (including Bank Holidays). The role operates on a shift pattern over two weeks, working one week ‘Early’ and the following ‘Late’ (with one-hour unpaid break). You will be working 5 days per week, for 35 hours.

Early: 07:00-15:00
Late: 13:00 – 21:00

Please note, Serpentine is a seasonal art gallery which means these shift patterns are amended during the Summer and Winter periods to accommodate operational needs. Flexibility is required for this role.

Duration of Appointment:
This is a permanent appointment, subject to a 3-month probationary period.

Annual Leave:
The annual leave entitlement is pro-rated to the full-time equivalent of 25 days per annum rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service. In addition, staff receive a pro-rated entitlement to the 8 Bank Holidays per annum.

Pension:
Participation in Serpentine’s auto-enrolment pension scheme. You can opt out if you wish.

Other Benefits:
After completion of your probationary period, we offer other benefits including:

• discount on certain products such Limited Editions;
• access to our employee assistance programme;
• season travel ticket loans and a
• Cycle2Work scheme.

How to Apply:
Please apply with your CV and Cover Letter. In your Cover Letter, please address:

• How your skills and experiences will bring benefit to the role;
• Examples of how you have applied relevant skills and experience we are looking for in your current or previous work;
• What specifically attracts you to this role and Serpentine.

Closing Date:
The closing date for completed applications is midnight on 16/08/2026.

Salary

30000 - 30000 GBP (yearly)