The scaffolding is up, the plastic sheeting is fluttering in the London breeze, and if you walk past the Mall right now, you can almost hear the hum of a £369 million project echoing through the Portland stone. Buckingham Palace is basically a massive construction site. But while the sparkies and plumbers are busy ripping out 1950s wiring that’s frankly a fire hazard, the Royal Household has a different problem. They need people. Lots of them.
Working for the "Firm" isn't just about polishing silver or standing still in a bearskin hat. Right now, because of the massive 10-year reservicing program, the palace is in a weird state of flux. They are hiring for everything from high-level project managers to people who literally just need to wash the dishes.
Why the palace is hiring so many people right now
Honestly, the scale of this refurbishment is hard to wrap your head around. We are talking about replacing 100 miles of electrical cabling and 20 miles of heating pipes. Some of this stuff hasn't been touched since King George VI was on the throne. Because the project is entering its final stretch—aiming for a 2027 completion—the workload is peaking.
King Charles is currently living over at Clarence House, but he’s keeping a very close eye on the progress. The Royal Household isn't just looking for construction experts; they need a support system to keep the "working" part of the palace alive while the "building" part is under surgery.
They need help.
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- Hospitality is desperate: With the East Wing newly renovated and opening for tours, the demand for visitor-facing staff has spiked.
- Kitchen staff: Even with renovations, state banquets and official business don't stop. They recently posted for Sous Chefs and Pastry Chefs.
- Project Oversight: They need "Programme Officers" and planners to make sure the contractors don't accidentally knock down a load-bearing wall from the 18th century.
What it’s actually like to work there
You might think you need a double-barreled surname or a degree from Oxford to get a foot in the door. You don't.
Take the Kitchen Porter role, for example. It’s one of those "no experience necessary" jobs that pops up frequently. You’re basically the engine room of the royal kitchen. It’s hard work. It’s sweaty. But you’re eating the same food the royals eat, and often, these roles are live-in.
Imagine living at Buckingham Palace.
Your commute is a walk down a gilded hallway. The pay is usually "market median," which is code for "it’s okay, but not spectacular." However, the benefits package is usually where the value is. We're talking about a 15% employer contribution pension. That is almost unheard of in the private sector these days.
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The current "Hot List" of vacancies
If you check the Royal Household's official career portal (which you should, daily), the variety of roles is sort of hilarious. As of early 2026, the focus has shifted toward the summer opening and the finalization of the North Wing works.
- Event Security Assistants: These folks are the frontline for the thousands of people coming to see the East Wing tours. You need to be polite but firm. No, you can't touch the wallpaper.
- Programme Officers: This is a "refurbishment-specific" role. You are the bridge between the builders and the Master of the Household’s office.
- Visitor Experience Team Leaders: With the 2026 summer opening expected to be one of the busiest on record—thanks to the Queen Elizabeth II fashion exhibition at The King’s Gallery—they need people who can manage crowds without losing their cool.
- Housekeeping: These roles are the backbone. Dusting a 775-room palace during a renovation is a never-ending battle against plaster dust.
Is the "Live-In" option a trap?
A lot of people see the "Live-In" option and think they've won the lottery. It's a bit more nuanced than that. If you take a residential position, your salary is adjusted downward to account for your room and board.
It’s a trade-off.
You get to live in one of the most famous zip codes on Earth, but your "bedroom" might be a modest staff flat that hasn't seen a makeover since the 90s. Still, for a young person starting out in London, not having to pay £1,500 a month for a damp studio in Zone 4 is a massive win.
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The "Refurbishment" factor: What you need to know
The palace is currently operating under what they call a "phased program." This means they move the family and the staff around like a giant game of Tetris. One year the West Wing is closed, the next it’s the North Wing.
As a new hire, you have to be flexible. You might be hired to work in one office, but end up in a temporary "decant" space because your ceiling is being replaced. It's chaotic. It's historic. It’s kinda cool.
How to actually get hired
Don't just send a generic CV. The Royal Household uses a very specific Applicant Tracking System (ATS). If you don't answer their competency-based questions with specific examples, your application will die in a digital black hole.
- Focus on "Service": Whether you're an IT pro or a gardener, everything is about the "service" of the Monarchy.
- Check the dates: Most summer roles close in late January. Permanent roles for the refurbishment team tend to pop up on a rolling basis.
- Security vetting: This is the big one. Even if you're the best chef in the world, you will undergo a "Developed Vetting" (DV) or "Security Check" (SC) process. If you have a colorful past, be honest. They will find out anyway.
Actionable steps for your application
If you’re serious about joining the team at Buckingham Palace while it’s being rebuilt, here is your roadmap:
- Monitor the "Reservicing" specific roles: Look for keywords like "PMO," "Contractor Management," or "Facilities" on the official Royal Household site. These roles exist specifically because of the 10-year project.
- Apply for the "Summer Warden" positions now: Even if you want a career in business or law, having "Buckingham Palace" on your resume as a warden is a massive conversation starter for future employers.
- Clean up your socials: It sounds cliché, but the vetting team looks at everything. You don't need to be a saint, but maybe hide those photos from that one weekend in Ibiza.
- Highlight "Heritage" experience: If you’ve ever worked in an old building or handled anything fragile, scream about it in your application. They are terrified of people breaking things during the renovations.
The palace is changing. It's becoming more modern, more efficient, and—ironically—more open to the public through these new tours. Getting a job there right now means you are literally helping to "future-proof" British history. Just be prepared to wear a high-vis vest over your livery every once in a while.