Wedding Cake Guide

Wedding Cake Guide

Waddesdon is an historic house and garden open to the public. Created by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild from 1874, it is home to the Rothschild Collection. Waddesdon’s collections are exceptionally rich in fine and decorative arts of the 18th century, assembled by three generations of the Rothschild family. Since 1957 the Manor has been owned by the National Trust and today it is managed by a charitable trust, The Rothschild Foundation, under the chairmanship of Hannah Rothschild. Waddesdon welcomes over 400,000 visitors to the property each year and we offer a programme of changing exhibitions, talks and tours, family activities and public events.

The Wedding Cake, a 12-metre-tall ceramic sculptural pavilion in the form of a three-tiered cake, is a major new Rothschild Foundation commission from celebrated Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos. Re-opening this spring, the Wedding Cake stands within a grove of trees at Waddesdon beside the 19th century ornamental Dairy. It is a playful continuation of the history of placing fanciful buildings in gardens and landscapes.

The sculpture will be open to visitors by ticked tour and free-flow access, affording individuals and groups the opportunity to explore the Cake and other works by the same artist, as well as the Dairy’s Water Garden and collection of other sculptures.

**Overall Purpose**:
The Wedding Cake Guide is part of the Visitor Experience team and will work within the visitor operation, delivering tours and supporting free-flow access to the Wedding Cake installation Wednesday to Sunday throughout the season. They are responsible for delivering an exceptional experience for visitors, engaging them with the works of art and associated gardens. Alongside volunteer ‘Cake Hosts’, they will ensure the smooth running of the tours programme, adhere to all safety measures and provide a consistency of experience, whilst acting as a role model of best practice.

Working alongside the team of Visitor Experience staff and volunteers, the Wedding Cake Guide will proudly act as an ambassador for Waddesdon, embodying the values and behaviours of the organisation and demonstrating a genuine passion for the property, its history and management.

**Primary Responsibilities**:

- Deliver guided tours of the newly installed Wedding Cake sculpture, designed by internationally renowned artist, Joanna Vasconcelos
- Engage visitors with Waddesdon’s portfolio of contemporary sculptures set in historic landscapes
- Deliver informative walks of the Water Garden at the Dairy
- Inspire visitors with the history of the Manor, it’s collection and landscape setting, as well as the present management of the site, including the ongoing charitable work of the Rothschild Foundation
- Work collaboratively alongside Visitor Experience volunteers to deliver operationally successful tours
- Provide an exemplary level of visitor care throughout the visitor journey
- Ensure all health and safety procedures and standards are adhered to consistently at all times
- Conduct ongoing learning and research surrounding the work of the artist and contextual information regarding the site and other art works

**Additional Responsibilities**
- Check tour admission tickets, managing the safe on and off boarding of shuttle buses and delivering strong radio communication with other members of the team across the property
- Have a broad knowledge of the site, including its history, access routes, way finding and key visitor facilities
- Work collaboratively as part of a homogenous team of staff and volunteers
- Ensure all visitors comply with all safety and security procedures, delivering messages in an appropriate manner
- Provide support with access across the site, including the training and safe operation of wheelchair ramps
- Have a good understanding of access provisions, championing access for all across the property
- Be aware of emergency and evacuation procedures and to act accordingly if an emergency should occur

**Characteristics & Experience**
- Experience of working in a historic house, heritage/museum context
- A genuine desire and ability to work in a front line, customer focused environment
- Friendly, confident and professional with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse visitor audiences
- Committed to consistently providing the highest possible levels of visitor care
- Willingness and aptitude to conduct ongoing research and learning
- Some experience of public speaking or delivering tours
- Ability to stand for long periods and prepared to deliver tours outdoors in all weathers
- Practical and sensible problem solver, with the ability to take operational responsibility for aspects of the visitor experience
- Thrive in a busy environment and maintain patience and empathy even when working under pressure
- Excellent team player with the ability to work proactively and conscientiously as part of a team, establishing good professional relationshi