Doorkeeper

Job summary

Doorkeeper

House of Lords – Black Rod’s Department

BELONG HERE. TOGETHER, WE MAKE PARLIAMENT HAPPEN.

As a Doorkeeper in Black Rod’s Department, you’ll play an important role in supporting the UK’s parliamentary democracy. Your work will help members of the House of Lords carry out their responsibilities effectively — contributing to something bigger than any one role.

You’ll be part of a collaborative community, working alongside colleagues from a wide range of professions. Together, we make Parliament happen.

You’ll be based on the Parliamentary Estate in Westminster — a unique working environment shaped by history and powered by the people who work here today.

Job description

What you’ll be doing

Join a prestigious and high-profile team at the heart of the House of Lords, where tradition, security, and exceptional service come together. As part of the Doorkeeping team, you’ll play a vital role in supporting the smooth and secure operation of the Chamber and surrounding areas, while contributing to some of the UK Parliament’s most iconic ceremonial occasions.

You’ll be a visible and trusted presence, controlling access to key areas, welcoming Members (Peers), guests, and VIPs, and ensuring that everyone experiences the highest standards of service. From managing entrances and assisting visitors to supporting major State occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament, no two days will be the same.

This role places you at the centre of parliamentary life—working closely with Members, supporting Chamber operations, and collaborating with teams across security, visitor services, and events to deliver a seamless and memorable experience.

Please note this role does involve shift-working, for which a generous shift premium allowance is paid – full details are on the job description.

Person specification

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who can bring their skills and experience to make a meaningful contribution here.

You’ll have:

• Team working: Excellent team-working skills together with the experience of working with a variety of people in a diverse & inclusive organisation.

• Tact and confidentiality: The ability to resolve issues with tact, sound judgement and impartiality with a good awareness of maintaining confidentiality within sensitive situations

• Professionalism: Experience of working to the highest professional standards, whilst conducting your daily duties with ability to follow and understand briefings and directives for high-profile ceremonial events

• IT Skills: Experience of using IT packages i.e., Word and Excel.

• Flexibility: Ability to adapt and appropriately respond to situations in a fast-paced environment with willingness to work long and sometimes unpredictable and unsocial hours during periods where the House is sitting.

It would be even better if you have:

• Previous or current experience of being First Aid trained
• Basic understanding of the work of the House of Lords
• Ability to recall individuals’ names and faces for recording and access control purposes.

For full details, please see the job description.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,700, House of Lords contributes £8,314 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

What you can expect

As a Doorkeeper, you will deliver a wide range of front-facing and operational responsibilities, supporting Members, guests and visitors. You’ll need to be confident working in a fast-paced and ever-changing setting, responding to incidents, managing access, and maintaining high standards of service and professionalism at all times

You’ll be part of a community that values your wellbeing, supports your development, and recognises the contribution you make.

You’ll benefit from:

• 30 days annual leave (rising to 35 after one year), plus public holidays .

• A generous Civil Service pension

• Access to learning and development across a wide range of roles and professions

• Support for your health and wellbeing

• The opportunity to be at the heart of UK parliamentary democracy

We know flexibility matters. Wherever possible, we’ll support working patterns that work for you — including hybrid working, job share or adjusted hours. We’ll be open about what’s possible for this role.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Ready to apply?

If you’re looking for a role where you can belong, grow and make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Please complete your online application by 23:59 on 12 July 2026.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : hlrecruitment@parliament.uk
• Telephone : 0207 219 5973

Recruitment team

• Email : hlrecruitment@parliament.uk

Attachments

Job Description - Doorkeeper Opens in new window (docx, 4221kB)