Director Director Recruitment Pack - January 2026 Contents 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 10. 11. 2 Director - Jan 2026 Introduction Dear Applicant, Thank you for your interest in joining the Glastonbury Abbey team. Glastonbury Abbey holds a unique place in English history and cultural identity. Its fame was built upon its rich tradition of legends, linking Glastonbury with the biblical figure of Joseph of Arimathea, and chivalric figures such as King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. Glastonbury’s reputation as the earliest Christian church in western Europe attracted spiritual pilgrims, royal patrons and tremendous wealth. Glastonbury Abbey is located in the heart of Glastonbury, Somerset, a diverse and vibrant town renowned throughout the world as a place of pilgrimage. The abbey is governed by a board of trustees and is led by a director and senior leadership team that deliver the strategic objectives in line with its charitable objects. It welcomes visitors from all over the world while also maintaining strong links with its local community via a membership scheme and a programme of special events. Glastonbury Abbey offers visitors a heritage site with nationally significant archaeological ruins, a 14th century medieval kitchen, 36 acres of beautiful grounds as well as a museum, cafés and a shop. It is a site of pilgrimage for people of all faiths and backgrounds and hosts more than 170,000 visitors per year attracted by reasons as diverse as spirituality, myth, legend, exercise, reflection, history and the environment. This is an exciting period in the life of the abbey. The Abbey Yard development, providing new visitor welcome spaces, gift shop and café, was completed in 2025, and we welcomed 179,000 visitors that year. Future plans include, among other things, improved heritage interpretation and an ambitious programme of conservation. We are seeking a motivated individual who will provide dynamic leadership and who can inspire the abbey team, our partners and local stakeholders. You will be a recognised leader in the museums and heritage sector, with experience of managing a scheduled historic site, ensuring financial resilience, and working collaboratively to deliver a strategic plan. You will have expertise in building trust and confidence, and working with a range of strategic partnerships, including other heritage organisations, higher education, tourism, local government and funding bodies. David Odgers MBE Chair of Trustees, Glastonbury Abbey 3 Director - Jan 2026 Who We Are Glastonbury Abbey is an independent registered charity (no. 1129263) and a company limited by guarantee (no. 6873912), with visitor income and donations the only sources of income. The abbey is governed by a board of trustees. The objects of the charity have been reviewed and are currently with the Charity Commission for approval. They are: • maintain and preserve the built and natural environment of Glastonbury Abbey • use and develop Glastonbury Abbey to advance the Christian religion in accordance with its traditions and spiritual significance • educate and inspire an understanding and appreciation of the historic and religious importance of Glastonbury Abbey. The abbey is a scheduled ancient monument and listed building of national importance. The ruins, grounds and accredited museum are open to the public up to 364 days a year. There are over 3200 members and many visits from schools and organised groups take advantage of the education element provided. There is an annual events programme including concerts, plays and the Medieval Fayre. There are two cafés – one at the entrance and one in the grounds. There is also a shop and the abbey owns two houses and a car park. Abbey House is the administrative building at Glastonbury Abbey as well as a venue for hire. It has a catering kitchen and hosts events such as conferences, workshops, dinners and receptions. The abbey relies on admission tickets, events and rental from commercial properties for all its income; it receives no operational grants and has an annual turnover in the region of £1.5 million. Operation of all aspects of the abbey is carried out by an employed staff, which averages 41 and includes more than 50 volunteers. Commercial activities are run under the auspices of Glastonbury Abbey Trading Ltd, a subsidiary with a board made up of members of the senior leadership team, trustees and non-executive directors. 4 Director - Jan 2026 Organisation The board of trustees is chaired by David Odgers and governs Glastonbury Abbey for public benefit and future generations in accordance with its charitable objectives. Glastonbury Abbey is led by the director. They report to the board of trustees and drive the operation of the abbey with the support of the senior leadership team. Trustees Director Senior Leadership Team The senior leadership team comprises the Director, Head of Finance, Head of Estates, Head of Engagement and Head of Commercial Activity. Management Team The management team implements the abbey’s strategic priorities and supports the wider team. Throughout the abbey team assistants bring a multitude of skills and years of experience to bear on the many tasks undertaken at the abbey. They directly support the management and senior leadership teams. The staff at Glastonbury Abbey are customer focused, knowledgeable and passionate about their role in the future of the abbey. Each member of staff has a unique perspective on the abbey’s place within the community. Volunteers support every team within the abbey in a great variety of roles. Their input is invaluable in the operation of the abbey. Assistant Level Staff Volunteers 5 Director - Jan 2026 The Role Director Director Salary: £66,445 - £70,137 (FTE) depending on experience Contract: Permanent Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week although some flexibility for reduced hours may be possible. There will be occasions when additional hours working is required and this may include weekends or evenings. Reports to: Chair of Trustees Principal working relationships: Chair and Trustees, Senior Leadership team (Head of Finance, Head of Estates, Head of Engagement, Head of Commercial Activity), Management Team, Collections Manager, Executive Administrator, Archaeology Adviser, Architectural Adviser, Diocese of Bath and Wells, Glastonbury Town Council, Consultants as required. Reporting to this post: Senior Leadership Team Purpose of the Post: The main purpose of the post is to be responsible to the trustees for the strategic direction, sustainable development and sound management of all aspects of Glastonbury Abbey, with a specific focus on its strategy, development, future sustainability and preservation so as to develop the abbey’s public profile and resources. This job description sets out the principal accountabilities of the post. It does not include every task necessary to fulfil the purpose of the post. 6 Director - Jan 2026 Key Responsibilities Director Director Principal Accountabilities and tasks: Governance • As chief executive officer ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory matters in accordance with the charity’s constitution (Articles of Association). • Act as the main point of contact between the trustees and others including the abbey’s staff, advisers, volunteers, external organisations and individuals to promote efficient and progressive management of the abbey’s affairs. • To ensure that matters requiring trustee approval are properly researched and well presented for consideration and to offer guidance to trustees taking account of policy, fact and the best interests of the abbey. • Advise the trustees on risk management and relevant issues that impact on the abbey’s sustainability, ethos and reputation. Strategic Development • Work with staff and trustees to develop the abbey’s vision and guiding principles, to maintain a positive and ethical culture and to uphold the abbey’s spiritual tradition. • Ensure that a strategic development plan, with associated annual budgets is in place that integrates existing plans and strategies and guides all aspects of the abbey’s activities. Ensure that clear targets and objectives are set and monitored throughout the organisation. • Work collaboratively with trustees, advisers and the Senior Leadership Team to progress and implement development plans and secure necessary funding and resources, acting as Project Director where appropriate. 7 Director - Jan 2026 Key Responsibilities Leadership and Policy • Lead, motivate and inspire the staff to ensure efficient and effective performance in all services and activities and foster a can-do and customer-focused attitude. • Work with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that staff structure and skills are appropriate to the needs of the charity and to identify and meet training and development requirements. • Ensure that performance review and disciplinary arrangements are in place and that best practice in equal opportunities is observed. Stewardship • Ensure that the charity meets its full range of responsibilities for the conservation, protection, management and development of its buildings, open spaces and museum collections. • Ensure that financial arrangements and permissions, where appropriate, are in place for planned and responsive maintenance and conservation of the abbey grounds, buildings, monuments and museum collections. Access and Enagagement • Ensure that the grounds, buildings, monuments and museum collections are physically, intellectually and spiritually accessible to people from all sections of society. • Lead on matters relating to interpretation of the site to ensure that it is presented, explained and able to be experienced in accessible, imaginative and innovative ways. • Develop programmes of appropriate activities, events and learning to celebrate and enhance the richness of the abbey grounds, buildings, collections and spiritual experience. • Promote the use of the abbey ruins and museum collections for scholarly research. • Ensure, with the Senior Leadership Team, that the learning potential for curriculum- related and lifelong learning is realised. 8 Director - Jan 2026 Key Responsibilities Partnerships and Public Profile • Ensure good relations are developed and maintained with appropriate external bodies, individuals, professional and statutory organisations, the town of Glastonbury, neighbouring residents and organisations, local authorities, Historic England, tourism organisations and the Diocese of Bath and Wells. • Represent the charity in contact with the media, coordinated by the Head of Commercial Activity and in consultation with the Chair of the Trustees as necessary. • Develop the Glastonbury Abbey brand and effective marketing and communication strategies to promote the attraction, its services and activities. • Maintain and enhance the abbey’s reputation for high standards of quality and customer service. Commercial Performance and Development • Ensure the overall financial health of the charity is maintained. Working with the trustees and Senior Leadership Team ensure that sufficient surpluses are generated to enable the charity to meet its obligations and maximise appropriately the commercial potential of the abbey’s assets. • Ensure that a budget is prepared each year that will deliver the strategic development plans and include visitor and income forecasts. • Ensure that policies on pricing and investment are developed to protect existing income streams and develop new ones. • Ensure that performance monitoring measures are in place for all areas of income, including all trading and commercial activities, with external benchmarking and internal targets and objectives. 9 Director - Jan 2026 Person Specification Experience • A proven track record in a development role in heritage or management of an historic site or museum. • Experience of charity governance and reporting. • Previous experience of a similar post would be an advantage. Skills • Able to lead, motivate and enable staff. • Able to think strategically with excellent planning skills. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a high standard of written English and ability to engage effectively with a wide range of people. • Good project management skills. • Detailed understanding of the heritage and/or tourism environment and current issues. • Able to manage and deal creatively with conflicting needs of stakeholders, conservation, income generation and learning. • Able to lead on matters relating to the interpretation of the site. • Able to cope with sudden changes of task and to prioritise personal workloads. • Able to work on own initiative and problem solve. • Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines. • Good understanding of marketing, fundraising and public engagement. • IT skills. Personal attributes • A genuine interest in all that is Glastonbury Abbey, its history, its commitment to the local community, its importance as a major visitor attraction, its spiritual objectives and relevance. • A strong team player and communicator, working in partnership with other members of the SLT to achieve joint objectives • A commercially-minded person with ability to encourage ambition and a culture of entrepreneurialism whilst managing risk • A results-oriented person who enjoys working hard and is not afraid of a challenge • Personal integrity and confidentiality. Education, Training and qualifications • Educated to degree level in a relevant subject. • Professional training or qualification in heritage management would be an advantage. Other • Highly organised and self-motivated; clean driving licence 10 Director - Jan 2026 How to Apply Find out more: To discuss details about the role and to ask any questions prior to applying please email Claire Chandler at clairec@glastonburyabbey.com To apply: Please download the Glastonbury Abbey application form here and return it to: clairec@glastonburyabbey.com Deadline: 13th February 2026 at 5pm Interviews: 9th & 10th March 2026 All Glastonbury Abbey staff are required to: Observe equal opportunities, with respect to both visitors and members of staff. Treat everyone equally with respect and tolerance. Observe all Health and Safety at Work procedures as set out by Glastonbury Abbey. Be responsible for your own personal health and safety and that of others, including visitors. Observe all other policies and procedures as set out by Glastonbury Abbey. 11 Director - Jan 2026 Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 06873912 Registered charity number 1129263 Registered Address Abbey Gatehouse Magdalene Street Glastonbury Somerset BA6 9EL Telephone +44 (0)1458 832267 Front cover lower image: Josh Dury Photo-Media