Vacancies

Wells Cathedral is not just a building, but a thriving community of clergy, staff, and volunteers. Together they work to support the Cathedral’s mission, care for its fabric, and provide welcome and hospitality for all who enter through its doors.

Current Vacancies are listed below, and further details about each role can be found in the accompanying Information Packs. If you think you have the skills and experience outlined, please do apply; we would love to hear from you.

Contact details for relevant members of the Cathedral team can be found in the Information Packs, should you have any further queries. Wells Cathedral’s Job Applicant Privacy Notice can be downloaded here.

Current Vacancies

a virger lighting a candle

Virger

Full time; permanent

Wells Cathedral has an exciting opportunity for a Virger to join the team, working in in a varied role that is vital to the smooth running of the Cathedral.

Principal duties include:

Offering a warm welcome to all who come to the Cathedral, over 300,000 visitors a year
Preparing and participating in ceremonial and worship
Preparing for concerts and events, including erecting and dismantling staging
Responsible for the security, cleanliness and good order of the Cathedral
Assisting staff and volunteers, helping whenever possible

Accomodation is offered in Vicars’ Close. This post is subject to an occupational requirement that the holder be a committed Christian.

Information Pack
Application Form
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Closing Date: Thursday 23 October 2025, 12.00 noon
Shortlisting Date: Friday 24 October 2025
Interview Date: Wednesday 5 November 2025

Cathedral Safeguarding Advisor

Part-time (18 hours per week); permanent

Wells Cathedral is seeking a committed Safeguarding Officer to champion best practice across our community. Working 18 hours/week, you’ll be the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns, liaising with the Diocesan team and supporting staff and volunteers.

This vital role ensures our work with children, young people, and vulnerable adults is safe, informed, and compassionate. Office-based with occasional evening/weekend work. Join us in embedding a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

For more information about the role and how to apply, please download a copy of the information pack below.

Information Pack
Application Form
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Closing Date: Thursday 30 October 2025, 5.00 p.m.
Shortlisting Date: Friday 31 October 2025
Interview Date: Tuesday 4 November 2025

Early Career Creatives

Are you a young person aged 18-25 interested in a creative career?
Would you benefit from a paid, professional development opportunity to support you?
Do you want to design new creative activities ensuring the voices of young people are heard?

We are looking to support 2 young people in the early stages of their career, who are passionate about creativity and history, to undertake a paid training placement with us. You will work within the team at Wells Cathedral, receiving mentoring and inputting into the design of the creative activity as part of the Vicars’ Close Project, our new historical visitor attraction.

Download the information pack below to find out more and apply.
Closing date: Friday 7 November 2025, 12.00 noon

Callout for Early Career Creatives (.pdf)

Image: Kate Pearce

Community Consultation Groups

We are looking to create 3 new community consultation groups, which reflect the diversity of the county, and will help us better understand our offer to local communities.

The groups will:

Provide feedback on the design and approach to Vicars’ Close, our new historical visitor attraction, opening in 2027.
Share thoughts and ideas on Wells Cathedral and how it can broaden its appeal.
Contribute reflections about their experiences of living in Somerset.

Participants in the groups will receive a financial contribution for their time.

Download the information pack below to find out more and apply.
Closing date: Monday 10 November 2025, 10.00 a.m.

Callout for Community Consultation Groups (.pdf)

Image: Paul Blakemore

Community Choirs

Are you a community choir based in Somerset?
Would you like to try something different?
Are you interested in a free workshop with a local, professional composer?

We are beginning a major new community-led project around the opening of Vicars’ Close at Wells Cathedral, and we’re looking to build relationships with regional community choirs.

Download the information pack below to find out more and get involved.

Callout for Community Choirs (.pdf)

Community Groups

Are you a community group based in Somerset?
Would you like to try something new and explore your creativity through free workshops?

We are creating an exciting community-led project around the opening of Vicars’ Close at Wells Cathedral. As part of this work, we are looking to build relationships with community groups across the region and provide opportunities for local people to get involved with exciting creative activities.

Download the information pack below to find out more and get involved.

Callout for Community Groups (.pdf)

Open Applications

Catering Assistant

Casual contract
£12.60/hour (Under 18s £10/hour)

Are you passionate about delivering exceptional service in a historic and welcoming environment? The Loft Café at Wells Cathedral is seeking a vibrant and customer-focused Catering Assistant to join us in creating memorable experiences for our visitors.

Team members can enjoy a Wells Cathedral Card including a 10% discount on purchases in the Cathedral Shop and The Loft Café.

To apply, please complete an Application Form and an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and return them by email to recruitment@wellscathedral.org.uk or in person at The Loft Café.
We look forward to hearing from you!

Information Pack

Deputy Vicars Choral

Open Applications
Wells Cathedral Choir is seeking Altos (male or female), Tenors, and Basses to join its list of deputies. Are you an experience choral singer with good sight-reading skills, who would enjoy singing in a world-renowned choir on an ad-hoc basis, we would be delighted to hear from you. Addition to the dep-list is via a short, informal audition, and is subject to a basic DBS check. Please email musicoffice@wellscathedral.org.uk for more information, or to arrange an audition. (Applicants must be aged 18 or over)

Choristers

We are always pleased to hear from parents of boys and girls in current school years 3 and 4 who are interested in the prospect of becoming a Chorister.

Choristers receive a world class musical education singing in one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in England. All Choristers are educated at Wells Cathedral School, for which scholarships and additional bursaries are available to assist with fees.

In the first instance, potential Choristers do not need any sophisticated musical training, but a clear voice with good high notes and a good musical ear. For more information and to arrange an informal audition, please telephone 01749 834213 or e-mail admissions@wells-cathedral-school.com.

“one of the most impressive of today’s British cathedral choirs” in “world-class form” — Gramophone Magazine

Click here for more information about Wells Cathedral Choristers.

Voluntary Roles

There are many opportunities to volunteer at Wells Cathedral. It is a great way to meet people, feel involved with the community, and work in one of the most beautiful and special places in the country.

Current opportunities are listed below, and full information about all our roles can be found on the Volunteering section of the website.

Cathedral Shop Assistants

If you are looking to make a valuable contribution to Wells Cathedral, volunteering in our shop could be for you.

We are looking for people who can spare a few hours a week to help serve customers and keep the shop stocked.

If you are interested, please email the Volunteers Department, volunteers@wellscathedral.org.uk for the Role Description, or speak with Shop Managers, Amy and Frances, by email to Shop@wellscathedral.org.uk or by telephone to 01749 672 773.

Stewards (Services and Concerts)

Stewards help at services and concerts by giving a warm welcome, directing people to seats and, if needed, tidying and straightening the Cathedral afterwards. In the event of an emergency, directing the audience/congregation to safety in a calm and efficient manner is essential.

Volunteer Cathedral Welcomers and Nave Welcomers

We are currently recruiting for Cathedral Welcomers. Roles are voluntary and can be a one or two hour commitment.

Welcomers provide a warm, friendly, and sensitive welcome to all who enter Wells Cathedral.
The role can include handing over an appropriate welcome leaflet, notifying visitors of guided tours, and generally helping with directions.
Skills required:

Friendly and enjoy engaging with the public
Able to follow instruction
Happy to work alone or in a team.

Enquiries to: Volunteer Department, Wells Cathedral Offices, Chain Gate, Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2UE
Telephone: 01749 832217
Email: volunteers@wellscathedral.org.uk