Estates Housekeeping Assistant

We are looking for a dependable and motivated Housekeeping Assistant to join our Estates team at Theatre Royal Plymouth. This hands-on role is essential in creating a clean, safe and welcoming environment where audiences, artists and colleagues feel valued and supported. Working as part of a friendly and inclusive team, you will take pride in your work and contribute to a workplace that celebrates collaboration, care and shared responsibility.

Successful candidates will need to work flexibly to support both the Theatre’s Rear of House (ROH) operations and Front of House (FOH) opening and programme. Shifts will be scheduled across a combination of mornings, afternoons and evenings, in line with operational requirements. Depending on your availability and the needs of the programme, there may also be opportunities to work additional hours, including providing further ROH support.

The Role

As a Housekeeping Assistant, you will play an important part in keeping Theatre Royal Plymouth clean, safe and welcoming for everyone who uses our buildings. Your main duties will include:

• Carrying out deep cleans and specialist cleaning in auditoriums and other agreed areas.

• Supporting Rear of House activity, including preparing spaces for visiting companies’ get-ins and cleaning after get-outs.

• Using cleaning equipment and materials safely and correctly, following our cleaning methods and adapting to new procedures or equipment when required.

• Collecting and disposing of waste in line with our recycling and environmental policies.

• Keeping key external areas clean and tidy, including the main entrance, Stage Door and emergency exits.

• Assisting with temperature checks and helping to maintain equipment and designated areas such as first aid rooms and toilet facilities.

• Helping to create a welcoming, inclusive and accessible environment, demonstrating PPF behaviours while working across the buildings.

• Reporting any building or maintenance issues promptly using the Premises Helpdesk.

• Responding to questions about cleaning processes and offering general assistance to visitors, including information about TRP, directions, facilities and what’s on.

• Dealing with issues as they arise and escalating them to a House Manager when needed.

• Working flexibly as part of the departmental rota to support both Front of House and Rear of House operations.

• Using and looking after any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and uniform provided.

• Completing required training, including health and safety, fire and emergency procedures, safeguarding, first aid, food hygiene, security and Theatre Royal Plymouth policies.

The Rota

To support Theatre Royal Plymouth’s programme, the team works flexibly across weekdays and weekends on a rota basis, including Saturdays and/or Sundays when the Theatre is open. Weekend working is a regular part of the role.

Shifts are typically 6 hours and include a mix of morning, afternoon and evening shifts, depending on the programme and operational needs.

Front of House (FOH) covers public-facing areas used by audiences, including foyers, toilets, bars, auditoriums, Box Office, entrances and exits.
Rear of House (ROH) covers non-public areas that support performances and visiting companies, such as dressing rooms, corridors, offices, Stage Door, technical areas and workshops.

Example shift times (Monday–Sunday):

• Morning: 8:30 / 9:00am – 2:30 / 3:00pm

• Afternoon/Evening:

  • ROH: 5:00pm – 9:00pm

  • FOH: 4:00 / 4:30pm – 11:30pm

Shifts may be scheduled across both FOH and ROH areas in line with the Theatre’s programme.

The Person

Our values sit at the heart of everything we do at Theatre Royal Plymouth, and we are looking for someone who reflects these in the way they work with colleagues, visitors and partners. To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate the following behaviours, skills and approach:

Quality

• Takes pride in their work and consistently delivers high standards

• Is accountable for their own work and meets agreed expectations

• Works well with others to achieve the best possible outcomes

• Responds positively to feedback and looks for ways to improve

• Follows relevant legislation, policies, procedures and instructions

• Identifies issues and takes appropriate action, escalating when needed

• Actively engages in training and development to build skills and knowledge

Collaboration

• Is friendly, approachable and welcoming to colleagues and visitors

• Communicates clearly and works effectively with a wide range of people

• Anticipates the needs of others and offers support where needed

• Contributes to team and departmental objectives within agreed timescales

• Shows consideration for colleagues’ wellbeing and welfare

• Actively seeks, encourages and acts on feedback

Creativity

• Is open to new ideas and different ways of working

• Uses initiative to solve problems and make improvements

• Shares ideas and suggestions to improve ways of working

• Makes decisions appropriate to the role with confidence

Diversity

• Welcomes and respects people from all backgrounds and communities

• Treats everyone fairly and with respect

• Seeks to understand different perspectives and values differing opinions

• Engages positively with Theatre Royal Plymouth’s community activities and programmes

You will also be willing to attend training sessions and communication meetings in line with Theatre Royal Plymouth’s policies and procedures

Estates Housekeeping Assistant