Caretaker and House Manager – Westminster Synagogue

About Westminster Synagogue:

Westminster Synagogue is a growing, dynamic, independent, progressive synagogue of over 600 families and 900 culturally diverse adult members, served by a skilled professional team of 19 staff who are committed to developing a

creative approach to working with our members to best develop the community.

Relationships with members and collaborative working are at the core of how we operate, ensuring that our members find a spiritual, welcoming and engaging Jewish home within our community, a beautiful 5 floor historic townhouse in

Knightsbridge, London.

Kent House, the home of Westminster Synagogue, also houses the following tenants: Czech Scroll Museum, Blue Sky Autism Nursery, Kings Russell Auctioneers and Ben Gurion University Foundation. We also hire the building out to external events – from weddings and conferences to Christmas parties.

Job Description:

The Westminster Synagogue Caretaker & House Manager’s primary roles are to carry out the day to day physical operational tasks in Kent House and such other tasks as may reasonably be requested to assist the smooth running of this multifunctional building, along with managing all events in the building from a building perspective. You will engage with and interact with many of our members. Full training will be provided where required.

You will work with a fantastic staff team, who all look out for one another professionally, care for one another personally and are passionate about delivering an excellent service for our community – as a team. A staff member who recently left said in their exit interview: “Loved working here, loved the team and communications. I don’t think I’ll ever get a team like this again.” The Caretaker & House Manager is part of the ‘House Team’, which also consists of the Building & Facilities Director and another Caretaker to make a team of three.

The key duties of the Caretaker are listed below. This is not an exclusive list and the role will vary according to the time of the year and the strengths and interests of the successful applicant.

• Setting up and breaking down: A key role of the caretaker is to set up the building for the activities of the day – be it meetings, events or functions – moving furniture around as required. The building may be turned around several times a day depending on schedules.

• House Manager at events: You will act as a house manager at events, keeping an eye on the running of the building and ensuring the events are running smoothly and safely, in keeping with the rules and regulations of the building.

• General Cleaning: The caretakers are also the cleaners for the building.

• Door supervisor and Security: Often responsible for security and access control, you will be vigilant at all times. You will be firm but courteous when greeting visitors to the building. You will provide security briefings at events to all relevant staff and providing training to key volunteers.

• Sound & AV responsibilities: Full training will be provided for you to be able to operate our sound desk, projectors and other AV equipment.

• Building maintenance and upkeep: The House Team follow a maintenance schedule to ensure the building remains in top condition. Duties can include polishing the marble and wooden floors, painting rooms, power washing the garden area and PAT testing.

• Health & Safety: Have a continual awareness of any Health & Safety issues arising from the building and fix or report as required. The House Team are responsible for ensuring the building is a welcoming and safe environment for all staff and visitors.

• Kitchen Support: The House Team ensure the kitchen is kept functional and tidy, both during the week and at events. This will include tidying, cleaning and washing as necessary. In addition, you will be on hand to help with catering duties such as laying out drinks and snacks after services or at meetings.

• Take control as required: The Synagogue has a duty of care for the safety of all persons in the building. On occasion there will be the need to take control of situations involving groups of people so as to avoid accident or hazard; you must be ready to take initiative and to give clear and authoritative directions to remove people or objects from harm’s way.

• Along with your scheduled duties you will be helpful to tenants, staff and volunteer helpers, providing assistance where required.

Professional Requirements and Person Specification:

• This is a physically demanding role involving moving furniture around the building and long periods of being on your feet.

• Work in a professional manner at all times and develop good working relationships with colleagues, members and external hirers

• Having a welcoming and helpful approach when dealing with visitors to the building

• The ability to work unsupervised and take initiative

• Basic computer skills (web browsing and emailing)

• The ability to communicate effectively in English

• Knowledge of Judaism and Jewish practices is not essential

• This post will require a valid and current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which we will arrange for the final candidate.

• Must have the right to work in the UK 

For more information and to be personally recommended for this role, please contact melissa@theworkavenue.org.uk

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