Job Ref: ROY1052
Branch: Royal Navy Museums, Portsmouth
Location: Royal Navy Museums, Portsmouth
Salary/Benefits: Salary (Grade 2) – £25,789 per annum, (£13.61 per hour)
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Hours per week: 36.44 (37.5 hours peak / 35 off peak)
Posted date: 25/08/2026
Closing date: 01/09/2026
Linking Navy to Nation with inspiring stories and experiences. Here you can come aboard the most famous ships, planes, and submarines of the Royal Navy and experience them through the stories of the people who served on them. As well as being truly captivated by the thousands of unique, emotional, and sometimes quirky stories that have shaped the Royal Navy into what it proudly stands for today.
You are pivotal in us achieving our vision, and to support this we embrace diversity and want everyone to feel valued and have a sense of belonging.
This is a great opportunity to join the team:
We’re looking for two characters to join our small cast delivering stories of the ship to all ages in a fun, engaging truthful and memorable manner.
- Character: Officer of the Watch - Jacky Fisher, Gunnery Lieutenant
Playing Age: 22 years old
Physical attributes: Average height, muscular.
Background: Born in Ceylon, (modern day Sri Lanka) in 1841, eldest of 11 children, and joined the Navy at the age of 13 as a cadet. Became the First Sea Lord twice and considered the second most important British Naval figure in history. He was a great reformer and championed a lot of positive change on board ships.
Character notes: Interesting, Innovative, Popular, Well respected, Efficient and Enthusiastic
- Character: Able Seaman William Knight
Playing Age: 22 – 28
Physical attributes: Slightly below average height, athletic build.
Background: From Ashburton, Devon, born 12 June 1838, William Knight was brought up to trade as a Seaman and volunteered 4th July 1856 initially for 10 years. Holder of ‘Good Conduct Badge’ since September 1861 and also Seaman Gunner 2nd Class. Confident aloft (by 1866 would be Captain of the Foretop)
Character notes: Knowledgeable, Confident, Good Character
What you can bring:
- Strong improvisation (This is a non-scripted position)
- A passion for history.
- Versatile and creative story tellers who can hold audiences of all ages.
- A positive team player.
- Confident in solo and group performances
- The ability to keep in character throughout the day, answering questions from an 1863 perspective.
- Approachable with a good sense of humour.
- Basic understanding of Health Safety and Security requirements, with a willingness to learn and develop further.
- A positive, proactive attitude with pride in delivering outstanding service every day.
The information and story of the ship should be presented in a conversational, truthful and in a way that is unique to your character.
Please be aware we are casting individuals to represent real life Navy Personnel. For authenticity, performers must be willing to adopt and maintain the required appearance standards for the period and character, including a clean-shaven appearance, short hair, and a physique that credibly reflects the physical demands and presentation of naval service personnel of the period.
The Warrior Story:
The year is 1863, Queen Victoria is on the throne and the first ever Iron Hulled warship returns from a round Britain tour where 1% of the UK population visited the Vessel. As the Majority of the crew enjoy their shore leave (Holiday), a skeleton crew remain on board to show the visitors the engineering marvel. It’s only seven years since the Crimean War ended, Britain’s new allies, The French have triggered an arms race between the two nations. To reassert British sovereignty upon the waves, the admiralty commissioned HMS Warrior. The most heavily armed, most heavily armoured, fastest, longest and the first fully Iron Warship in the World. HMS Warriors deterring power was so great, she never had to engage in a fight.
What we offer:
- The opportunity to be part of a friendly and diverse workplace within a unique heritage environment.
- Group pension plan with Royal London (6% employer contributions, 2% employee contributions and death in service benefit).
- 25 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) pro rata for part time employees, increasing to 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays) after 5 years’ service, pro rata for part time employees, with the option to purchase additional annual leave.
- Enhanced maternity/adoption and paternity pay.
- Flexible working.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Free admission to other national museums and attractions within the reciprocal agreement.
- Discounts at our shops and cafes.
- Free and discounted tickets for family and friends.
- A range of other benefits including cycle to work
- Paid reservist leave.
We want you to succeed and showcase your skills and experiences, so if you are invited to interview, we will share our interview questions with you ahead of time. If you would like to have an informal discussion regarding the role, or ask any questions, please contact Ewelina Urbanska, Visitor Experience Manager, on email [email protected].
All applicants are asked to apply via https://jobs.royalnavymuseums.org.uk/ by midnight on Tuesday 1st September. The selection processes will be held on site in Portsmouth on Thursday 10th September.
If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process because of a disability, please contact the People team on [email protected] for support.
This post requires a DBS check as a requirement of working on the naval base, as well as the right to work in the UK. Please note we cannot currently sponsor work visas.
