Finance & Support Officer

Finance & Support Officer
Recruitment Pack - January 2026

Contents

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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.

Glastonbury Abbey is a historical monument, spiritual centre, and visitor attraction.
If this role and the opportunity of working at such a location appeals to you we
willbe very happy to hear from you.

Janet Bell, MBE
Director, Glastonbury Abbey

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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.

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Finance & Support Officer - January 2026

Organisation

Trustees

Director

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.

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.

Assistant Level

Staff

Volunteers

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.

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Finance & Support Officer - January 2026

The Role

Finance & Support Officer

Salary: £27,200 - £28,000 (pro rata for 30 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week or 30 hours per week will be considered)
Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays
Reports to: Head of Finance

Principal working relationships: Director, Finance & Support team, Visitor Services team,
Commercial Activity team, Engagement team, Estates team, Collections Manager, and
Executive Assistant.

Location: Abbey House, Glastonbury Abbey.

Purpose of the Post

This post supports the Head of Finance with a wide range of tasks to ensure an efficient and
accurate accounting and support function.

There is the potential of career progression with this role.

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.

Generic Responsibilities:

▶  Adhere to the principles of Glastonbury Abbey’s values at all times
▶  Maintain employee and organisational confidentiality in line with the General Data

Protection Regulations

▶  Comply with all legislative requirements as well as all company policies, procedures and

processes.

▶  Ensure compliance with Data protection rules and liaise with GDPR working team as

required, maintaining policies and procedures as necessary.

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Key
Responsibilities

Financial

▶ Assist in the preparation of quarterly budget holder reports and end of month reports

for the senior leadership team.

▶ Assist in the preparation of financial papers for trustee meetings, presenting as

required.

▶ Payroll and pension process and associated reporting.
▶ Responsibility for the abbey pension scheme.
▶ Assist with budgets and project budgets.
▶ Maintain purchase ledger and sales ledgers.
▶ Assist in creating pro-forma invoices for a range of services.
▶ Reconcile bank accounts and daily records.
▶ Prepare and action payment runs as required.
▶ Maintain and reconcile the visitor chart.
▶ Assist with end of month financial procedures.
▶ Assist with preparing the year-end audit file.
▶ Credit control
▶ Setup and credit check new customers.
▶ Maintain online storage of supplier invoices and other documentation.
▶ Setting up direct debits and standing orders and assisting suppliers with payments.
▶ Any other tasks agreed with senior team members.

HR, Procurement, Policies and Procedures

▶ Assisting with HR issues and liaising with external HR Consultants
▶ Assist in Maintenance of staff records and HR documents.
▶ Support the senior finance officer with staff enquiries and departmental issues.
▶ Supporting the senior finance officer with implementing any changes to internal

processes.

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Person Specification

Education &
Qualifications

Experience

Essential
▶ Minimum 5 GCSE’s or equivalent A-C

Desirable
▶ Payroll and Pension

including Maths and English

▶ Excellent level of Microsoft Office
▶ FInance Qualification

Qualification.
▶ HR Qualification

▶ Previous experience in a similar role
▶ Strong analytical and organisational
skills and the ability to consistently
meet deadlines.

▶ Experience of Payroll and Pension

schemes

▶ Experience of credit control
▶ Understanding of GDPR

▶ Knowledge and experience
of QuickBooks accounting
package

▶ Knowledge of Square POS

system

▶ Knowledge of Click up

software.

▶ Knowledge of Smarter
accounting software.

▶ Internet banking

Skills & Abilities  ▶ Excellent IT skills, minimum of

intermediate word and advanced
excel.

▶ Working knowledge of

computerised Accounts software
▶ Ability to gain an understanding

of Online Quickbooks accounting
package.

▶ Ability to gain an understanding
of financial and administrative
processes.

▶ Ability to accurately follow

procedures.

▶ Organised, methodical and with an

accurate approach to work.

▶ Ability to cope with sudden changes

of task and to prioritise personal
workloads.

▶ Ability to work on own initiative and

problem solve.

▶ Ability to work under pressure and

to tight deadlines

▶ Flexible approach to working within

a team and independently.

▶ Excellent customer service skills are

required for our internal and external
customers

Other

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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:  5pm, Monday 23rd February 2026
Interviews: 5th or 12th 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.

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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