Are you looking for a new challenge? As we come towards the final work on a multi-million pound building restoration project, this post offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a small team supporting the mission and ministry at the heart of the Isle of Wight.

This is a hands on role in delivering and developing new income streams and commercial activity for the Church. Knowledge and understanding of Christian faith and/or the Church of England may be helpful in this role but is not essential.

The Minster is the principal church of the Isle of Wight, a Grade 1 listed building, and is a focus for both church and community from all parts of the Island. As a place of worship, we host Island civic and major services welcoming around 700 people to our Remembrance Day Service. As a place of historic interest, we welcomed 30,000 visitors each year before the pandemic to discover our fascinating history going back almost 1000 years. As a spiritual focus for the Island we enjoy diverse occasions such as live music, theatre, community events and provide and a point of engagement with those of other faiths or no faith. We regularly host exhibitions showcasing local artists and local history. The Minster is used as a place of learning providing lectures by local societies and as a space for educational visits. Our weekday café provides refreshments and companionship for those visiting the Minster.

The Minster is part of Newport and Carisbrooke PCC which is a registered charity.

Role responsibilities include:

• Co-ordinate and manage a sustainable volunteer scheme for catering, retail and event support. Work with the Community Engagement Officer to recruit and maintain adequate numbers of volunteers
• Co-ordinate the day-to-day commercial activities of catering & retail volunteers to ensure sufficient volunteer cover to meet the projected new opening times for the Minster.
• Develop a programme of chargeable events throughout the year to support the income generation targets of Newport Minster
• Work with local tourism development agencies and partners to increase visitor numbers to Newport Minster and Newport.
• To be responsible for cash handling and reconciliation, sales recording and financial management of commercial activities within the Minster.
• To monitor stock levels for the coffee shop and work with the Operations Manager to ensure adequate stock levels are maintained.
• Represent the Minster at outreach events both on and off the Island if required.
• Be the point of contact for tour groups, travel agencies and other groups for bookings and chargeable visits to Newport Minster.
• Use appropriate communications channels including social media to promote the Minster and advertise events, tours and opportunities to a wide audience.
• Work in partnership with the PCC to ensure that commercial activities and events are respectful to their environment and are not at odds with the ethos of the Church and do not clash with religious ceremonies or events.
• Responsible for health and safety for all volunteers and carrying out risk assessments for all commercial activities.
• Support and teach applicable student placements, age 16+, and Apprenticeships at the Minster

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience of managing and training volunteers
• Experience in customer service and/or visitor services
• Experience of working in retail and catering environment
• Experience of marketing activities and events
• Experience of events and events management

To apply click here (requires logging into external website), complete the application form and return it to operationsmanager@cofeheartofwight.org.

• Closing date is Friday 29th September.
• Interviews: Monday 16th October.