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Joiner

Location

West Dean

Recruiter

West Dean College

Contract

Permanent

Salary

£30,700 per annum plus excellent benefits

Job description

Joiner

Location: West Dean, West Sussex (PO18 0QZ)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 39 hours per week, 5 days over 7
Salary: £30,700 per annum

West Dean is a unique place to work and visit, combining an internationally recognised centre for arts, design, craft and conservation with award-winning gardens, historic collections and a working estate.

Set within the beautiful 6,350-acre West Dean Estate in the South Downs National Park, West Dean College is home to historic buildings, gardens, heritage glasshouses, a kitchen garden, parkland, a Tapestry Studio and historic staterooms used for events, exhibitions and private functions.

We are looking for an experienced and skilled Joiner to join our Property & Facilities team and play an important role in the ongoing care, maintenance and conservation of West Dean Estate.

About the role

As Joiner, you will undertake a broad range of joinery and carpentry work across West Dean College and its associated buildings and structures, including the Grade II* listed West Dean House.

The role will include general repairs and maintenance, renovation projects and the construction and repair of doors, windows, flooring, roofing, skirting, ceilings, cupboards, shelving, fencing and gates.

You will take a careful and sympathetic approach to the historic fabric of the Estate, using traditional materials and techniques where appropriate. You will also be responsible for identifying and reporting structural defects, uncovered services and any historic features or details discovered during your work.

Working as part of the Maintenance Team, you will be expected to work independently while also supporting colleagues and the wider Estates operation when required. You may also assist with the set-up and de-installation of structures associated with events across the Estate.

About you

We are looking for an experienced Joiner with strong practical skills and a sound understanding of carpentry, joinery and general maintenance.

You will take pride in your workmanship and have excellent attention to detail, accuracy and a commitment to delivering work to a high standard. You will be confident organising your own workload, managing competing priorities and working effectively under pressure.

Good communication skills are essential, as you will work closely with colleagues, managers and other stakeholders across the Estate. You will also need to be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.

Experience of working on historic or heritage buildings would be advantageous, as would knowledge of traditional joinery techniques, materials and conservation principles. A practical and creative approach, with a good eye for design, is also important.

Key responsibilities

• Undertake joinery, carpentry and, where appropriate, decorating work across West Dean College and its associated buildings and structures.

• Carry out joinery and carpentry work as part of major and minor renovation projects.

• Repair and maintain doors, door frames, windows and other elements of the buildings.

• Undertake maintenance of flooring, roofing, skirting and ceilings.

• Construct cupboards, shelving, doors, stud walling, windows, fencing, gates and simple formwork as required.

• Take a careful and sympathetic approach to the repair and conservation of the Estate's historic buildings and structures.

• Identify and report structural defects and any services uncovered during works.

• Report any historic details or features uncovered during maintenance or renovation works.

• Ensure alterations and repairs to the buildings are completed to a high standard and in accordance with good building practice and relevant legislation.

• Encourage the use of traditional and local building materials and techniques where appropriate.

• Support other members of the Maintenance Team with event-related structures when required.

• Work in accordance with West Dean's health and safety policies and procedures.

• Undertake training and maintain an up-to-date understanding of relevant health and safety requirements.

• Carry out any other reasonable duties appropriate to the role as requested by the Property & Facilities Manager or Maintenance Team Supervisor.

What we're looking for

Essential:

• Relevant experience as a Joiner.

• Good knowledge of health and safety legislation and safe working practices.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Good numeracy skills.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage your own workload.

• Good accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

• A creative and practical approach with a good eye for design.

• A full driving licence.

• A confident and professional approach with the ability to build positive working relationships.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure.

Desirable:

• Experience of working on both modern and historic structures.

• Knowledge of carpentry and joinery techniques relevant to heritage buildings.

Working at West Dean

Joining West Dean means becoming part of a community that values creativity, craftsmanship, sustainability and inclusivity. You will have the opportunity to work in a unique historic environment while contributing to the care and conservation of one of the UK's most distinctive cultural estates.

Our benefits include:

• 33 days' holiday per holiday year, inclusive of bank holidays.

• Generous contributory pension scheme, with employer contributions matching from 4% to 7.5%.

• Employee Assistance Programme.

• Mental Health First Aiders.

• Cycle to work scheme.

• Free entry to West Dean Gardens.

• Discounts on retail goods in our two Sussex shops.

• Free and discounted places on short courses at West Dean College.

• Free use of West Dean Sussex facilities, including the swimming pool, library and tennis courts.

• Subsidised bed and breakfast rates at the Sussex campus.

On-call rota

The role includes participation in an on-call rota, providing out-of-hours support for urgent maintenance issues and emergencies across the Estate. An additional paid retainer is provided for weeks when you are on call.

How to apply

If you are an experienced Joiner who takes pride in high-quality workmanship and would enjoy working in a unique historic environment, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply via the West Dean Careers site or contact the Recruitment Team for further information.

Closing date: 5 October 2026

Early applications are encouraged, as interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should a suitable candidate be appointed before the closing date.

Interviews: Week commencing 28 September 2026

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