Current Vacancies

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

Head of Events and Programming

Full-time; permanent

Wells Cathedral is seeking a dynamic Head of Events and Programming to lead the strategic planning and delivery of a diverse, engaging events programme that supports its mission, grows audiences, and enhances income generation.

This role demands creativity, commercial acumen, and collaborative leadership skills, to shape innovative experiences and partnerships and help realise our bold vision to be the most joyful Cathedral in the UK.

Find out more in the information pack below.

Information Pack
Application Form
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Closing date: Thursday 30 October 2025
Shortlisting date: Friday 31 October 2025
Interview date: Monday 3 November 2025

Organ Scholarship

Fixed-term; September 2026–July 2027

The Organ Scholar is an integral part of a team of three organists, working with the Director of Music, the Assistant Director of Music, and with other colleagues in the Cathedral (lay and clerical), to ensure the smooth delivery of all liturgical music, as well as supporting the Cathedral’s musical outreach activities.

The role is aimed at either a postgraduate or a gap-year student, and is designed to offer a dedicated organ student the opportunity to develop and flourish within a busy and rewarding cathedral music department.

Information Pack
Application Form
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Closing Date: Sunday 2 November 2025
Shortlisting Date: Tuesday 4 November 2025
Interview Date: Friday 14 November 2025

Choral Scholarships

Fixed-term; September 2026–July 2027

Wells Cathedral is looking for Alto, Tenor, and Bass Choral Scholars to start in September 2026. The aim of our Choral Scholarship programme is to provide experience and training in a professional choir, in preparation for going on to further study or to enter the singing profession.

If you are looking for an opportunity to sing as part of a renowned Cathedral Choir, Wells may be the place for you. This is a paid internship with housing in the beautiful medieval Vicars’ Close, with extra fees payable, and funding for singing lessons.

Applications are welcomed from experienced gap-year students or graduates. More information can be found in the Information Pack below, including a full job description, person specification, and details about how to apply for the role.

Information Pack
Application Form
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Closing Date: Sunday 2 November 2025
Shortlisting Date: Tuesday 4 November 2025
Interview Date: Tuesday 11 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

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.

Vicars’ Close Project Director

Part-time (0.6 FTE); fixed term until July 2028 | 21 hours per week

Would you like to manage a project for Wells Cathedral to restore and revitalise Vicars’ Close, the oldest intact continuously inhabited medieval street in Europe, which has been home to the Vicars Choral for over 650 years?

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and others, we have embarked on an exciting and ambitious project which will repair and restore the incredible Vicars’ Close at Wells Cathedral. The project is creating a legacy that will safeguard the future of the Close, enabling an exciting new visitor experience and events programme to uncover and celebrate this extraordinary heritage, and opening areas up to the public for the first time.

You will bring a proven track record in delivering significant capital projects in complex environments, substantial experience in heritage, interpretation and engagement projects, working with listed buildings and projects that include the built environment and conservation, understanding and use of the RIBA Plan of Work Methodology, budget management experience and strong financial acumen.

Find out more in the information pack below.

Information Pack
Application Form
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Closing Date: Monday 17 November 2025, 5.00 p.m.
Shortlisting Date: Tuesday 18 November 2025
Interview Date: Monday 24 November 2025

Open Applications

Evening Event and Weekend Casual 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.

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.

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.

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