Director of Visitor Experience and Commercial Income

Bristol Cathedral; Bristol; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A historic community attraction in Bristol is seeking a Director of Visitor Experience and Commercial Income to enhance visitor engagement and manage commercial activities. The successful candidate will lead the Visitor Experience team, contribute to organisational strategy, and ensure exceptional experiences for all visitors. The role is based on-site with a flexible working arrangement and offers a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Cycle to work scheme

Salary sacrifice electric car leasing scheme

Employee assistance programme

Church Workers Pension Scheme with 7% employer contribution

Discount in the Cathedral shop and café

Parking for cars and bikes

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing visitor experiences in a cultural or heritage setting.
• Ability to lead proactively and deliver exceptional visitor experiences.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to manage various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Visitor Experience team and develop strategic engagement plans.
• Oversee events and maximise visitor engagement and income.
• Contribute to the Cathedral Senior Executive Team and organisational strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Stakeholder management

IT skills

Visitor experience management

Job description

Director of Visitor Experience and Commercial Income

Here with you, yesterday, today and tomorrow

Bristol Cathedral is looking for an experienced leader and manager to be our next Director of Visitor Experience and Commercial Income.

Since the end of the pandemic the cathedral has brought forward a diverse programme of events and visitor experience activities to attract a wider audience. We have also implemented an entry by donation system that has more than doubled income from visitors. As with most other cathedrals, the quality of the welcome and the programme of events is more important than ever as we look to increase income to keep pace with the ever‑increasing costs of operating the building.

Bristol Cathedral is many things to many people – a worshipping community, a place of quiet contemplation, a venue for a major concert, a heritage asset and a civic space. Most importantly from the Cathedral’s perspective is that it is a place that belongs to the city and wider diocese and is open to everybody. As Director of Visitor Experience and Commercial Income, the successful candidate will be part of the Cathedral Senior Executive Team and will be responsible for ensuring a world class welcome for all those that come to the Cathedral, and for sustaining and growing our commercial income from a range of sources including events, venue hire, filming and our shop & café.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Visitor Experience team, developing a strategic engagement plan.
• Oversee events, exhibitions, shop, café, and venue hire to maximise visitor engagement and income.
• Collaborate across departments to maintain excellent customer service, safeguarding, and a safe environment.
• Manage budgets, performance indicators, and commercial partnerships.
• Contribute to the Cathedral Senior Executive Team and organisational strategy.

Requirements

• Ability to lead proactively, work collaboratively, and deliver exceptional visitor experiences.
• Proven experience managing visitor experiences and teams in a heritage, cultural, or Cathedral setting.
• Strong financial management and income-generation experience.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and IT skills.

Safeguarding
Appointment subject to basic DBS check, references, proof of right to work, and Church of England Safeguarding training.

Apply Now
Lead Bristol Cathedral’s visitor and commercial experience, shaping a welcoming, inspiring space for all.

Hours

4 days per week, including Mondays, with occasional evenings and weekends.

Pay

Working Arrangements

The post will primarily be based in the Gatehouse offices at Bristol Cathedral and manage events in both the Cathedral and the Lord Mayor’s Chapel.

Pension

Membership of the Church Workers Pension Scheme, with a 7% employers contribution and 5% employee contribution.

27 days of annual leave including bank holidays. In addition to this, the Cathedral currently gives all staff 3 days of discretionary annual leave to be taken between Christmas and New Year.

Other Benefits

• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice electric car leasing scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Church of England church workers pension scheme with 7% employer contribution, with 5% employee contribution
• Discount in the Cathedral shop and café
• Parking for cars and bikes is available in the Cathedral car park

How to Apply

Please download the job pack and application form below. The application form also contains a link to our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form. Applications should be submitted to [e-mail] .

The deadline for applications is 6pm on Thursday 11 December 2024. Interviews will be held on Monday 15th December.

If you have any questions or would like to have an informal chat about the role, please email Ben Silvey, Chief Operating Officer, at [e-mail]

Job Description and Person Specification