Lodge Porter (Variable Hours)

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We are seeking a professional and personable Lodge Porter to join our Lodge team. This role combines front-of-house responsibilities with site security, health & safety duties, and administrative support.

Overview of the Role

As the first point of contact for students, staff, and visitors, the Lodge plays a crucial role in the life of the College. We are seeking a professional and personable Lodge Porter to join our Lodge team. This role combines front-of-house responsibilities with site security, health & safety duties, and administrative support.

The post involves a 24/7 rotating shift pattern, working four 12-hour shifts (day or night) per week.

Main Duties

Customer Service

  • Provide a welcoming, professional, and courteous reception service to all College members, students, staff, visitors, and contractors.
  • Handle telephone, email, and in-person enquiries efficiently, providing accurate information and directing enquiries to the appropriate departments when required.
  • Manage guest accommodation check-ins, check-outs, and payments, ensuring records are accurate and procedures are followed.
  • Sort, log, and distribute mail and parcels, including registered and confidential items, in accordance with College procedures.
  • Provide information on College facilities, services, and procedures to students, staff, and visitors.
  • Maintain accurate records and logs, including visitor registers, incident reports, and shift handover notes.
  • Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, remaining calm, polite, and professional in busy or challenging situations.
  • Support College events and conferences, assisting with visitor arrivals, directions, and general enquiries.

Security

  • Monitor the safety and security of College premises, including CCTV and alarm systems.
  • Conduct security patrols and manage access control, including issuing keys and fobs.
  • Respond to and report security incidents and emergencies.

Health & Safety

  • Vet visitors and issue permits in line with College policies.
  • Support emergency response procedures as a trained First Aider and Fire Marshal (training provided).
  • Oversee parking and contractor access to ensure safety compliance.

Systems & Administration

  • Operate the SALTO keyless entry system and Kinetix booking database.
  • Record incidents and maintenance issues accurately.
  • Maintain noticeboards and ensure all Lodge administrative tasks are up to date.

This is not an exhaustive list and other duties may emerge as necessitated by changing roles within St John’s College.

Personal Documentation

The selected candidate will be required to attend a medical examination prior to commencing employment and to undergo a DBS criminal records check. They will also need to present documentation demonstrating the Right to Work in the UK. The post holder will be expected to hold (or attend a training course and successfully apply for) a Personal Licence under the Licensing Act 2003, Security Industry Authority (SIA) required qualifications for Door Supervisors and Security Guards and an up-to-date First Aid certificate.

Terms and Conditions

Salary: £35,179.36 p.a. + £1,500 Oxford weighting

Hours of work:

  • The Lodge Porter will work a variable 42-hour week over seven days. The shifts commence at 06.00 and at 18.00, so working at night and on weekends is a requirement.
  • Meal breaks count as part of working hours and Porters may be called for duty in the middle of a meal.
  • Your normal working pattern might require you to work nights, Saturdays, Sundays, or Bank Holidays.

Annual leave: the leave year runs from 1 January to 31 December each year. Further information about annual leave, and long service leave entitlement is detailed in the staff handbook.

Annual leave entitlement is 29 days pro rata, which includes bank holidays. Please note that leave in term time is granted at the discretion of the Lodge Team Manager(s) and leave should normally be taken outside of term.

In addition, there are 8 Public Holidays - although these might have to be worked as part of the shift rota.

Uniform: A uniform, consisting of trousers/skirts, jackets, shirts, ties and a coat will be provided after a satisfactory 6 months’ probationary period.

Further particulars can be downloaded here.

To apply, please send a full CV as well as a covering letter explaining your suitability to at vacancies@sjc.ox.ac.uk.

Closing date for applications is 28th February 2026

St John’s College, Oxford, is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.