The Auckland Project
At the heart of our sites is Auckland Palace, the home of the Prince Bishops of Durham and the historic seat of faith and power in the North of England. The experience across our sites is deeply linked to those two themes and are repeated throughout the Palace and its gardens, the Faith Museum and the Mining Art and Spanish Galleries. The collection of our venues, spaces and places invites conversations about belonging, faith, loss, sacrifice, community, love and creativity. We would like our visitors to explore and to discover things about our town, our country and their own lives. We want to create encounters – and need your help to do so.
The role purpose
The Housekeeping Shift leader is an integral role within the Facilities Team, working collaboratively with the Head Housekeeper to provide a full 7-day cover for The Auckland Project to ensure our Attractions, Properties and Holiday Accommodations are cleaned to the highest standard, meeting both health and safety requirements and the standard of cleanliness we expect at The Auckland Project.
You will be a team player, able to use your initiative, be able to identify any problems and report them to your supervisor; you will be friendly, have a can-do attitude and be happy to roll up your sleeves and support the organisation in any way you can. If this sounds like you then please do get in touch.
Working pattern of 4 days out of 7. The role will include regular weekends, Bank Holidays and flexible working where necessary (for example to cover events), to ensure we provide 7 day per week cover.
Key Responsibilities
The post-holder is responsible for the following key deliverables and accountabilities:
- Act as deputy for the Head Housekeeper when required
- Conduct audits of assigned areas to ensure they consistently meet the highest standards of cleanliness and presentation
- Clean, stock, and maintain designated areas and facilities
- Perform routine tasks such as dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping
- Undertake deep cleaning and detailed cleaning duties as needed
- Report any maintenance issues, deficiencies, or repair requirements to management
- Maintain and organise housekeeping supply rooms
- Clean gallery spaces and public areas
- Carry out external cleaning of buildings when required
- Provide cleaning and housekeeping services for The Auckland Project Holiday Accommodation
- Support housekeeping for other accommodation within the organisation, including The Park Head Hotel, to ensure timely turnaround for guests and visitors
- Participate in staff training and development sessions
- Adhere strictly to Health & Safety policies, procedures, and GDPR requirements
- Carry out cleaning tasks in accordance with instructions to ensure all venues are kept in a clean, safe, and welcoming condition at all times
- Undertake any additional duties as directed by the Line Manager
Internal and External Relationships
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across departments to achieve TAP’s organisational objectives
- Maintain excellent relationships with the large team of volunteers and colleagues
Health & Safety
Be committed to good health and safety and access practice, ensuring familiarity and compliance with TAP policies, procedures and guidelines and the health and safety of visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors at all times.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Good General standard of education
- Excellent communication skills
- Good organisation skills
- Ability to follow procedures / instruction accurately
- Excellent customer relations skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to work unsupervised and deliver quality work or a high standard
- Positive and approachable manner
- Ability to work at height
- Understanding of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
- Pride in creating clean and tidy environments.
- Be a positive team player
- Highly motivated and flexible
- Be professional and hard working with an enthusiastic approach
- Trustworthy
- Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professional integrity at all times
- Physical strength and stamina in a labour-intensive role.
Desirable
- NVQ in cleaning
- Cleaner in paid employment
- Working as part of a team
- Demonstrate a track record in housekeeping and cleaning roles
- Supervisory Experience
- Good numeracy & Literacy skills
- Auditing
The Auckland Project focus
The Auckland Project works hard to create a positive change for those living, working and visiting Bishop Auckland. We have created a visitor destination in Bishop Auckland, incorporating Auckland Castle (once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham), a Spanish Art Gallery, Faith Museum, Walled Garden, Deer Park, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower visitor centre and Weardale Railway.
Our visitor destination and community development programme broadly fits into three areas:
- The social environment: we help individuals and communities by creating a sense of curiosity, hope and faith in themselves and the world around them. We provide opportunities for skills development and partnerships, building a year-round tourist market and supporting small creative industries to thrive
- The natural environment: we protect, sustain and enhance the world around us
- The built environment: we restore and enhance the beauty and historic significance of the buildings, structures and assets in our care.
By working with us, you are helping to ensure the town’s future is as magnificent and vibrant as its past.
How to Apply
Apply for this role by downloading and completing an application form from https://aucklandproject.org/support-us/jobs/ and emailing this to [email protected]
Closing date: Monday 8th September 2025 at 12 noon
We are unable to accept CVs as application. We only accept a completed application form which can be found at https://aucklandproject.org/support-us/jobs/
If we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close the application process early.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: £15,974.40 per year
Expected hours: 24 per week
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
