Operations Manager at Great Malvern Priory

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Summary:

Great Malvern Priory are looking for an Operations Manager who will have primary responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Priory including management of the paid staff team and a large number of volunteers in a variety of roles, booking and facilitation of external bookings and events, development and implementation of policy (including safeguarding), and working with the Vicar, Churchwardens and PCC to develop and deliver the Priory’s vision.

Location:

Malvern

Salary:

£37,000

Job description:

Great Malvern Priory is a vibrant Major Church in the centre of Great Malvern with some 400 members of the congregation, three services each Sunday, other weekday services and with an average weekly attendance of 250. Apart from the regular and well-attended services of worship in a variety of styles, it is supported by a rich and varied musical tradition. The building is used by local schools, hosts orchestral and choir concerts, plays and regular programmes of lectures and organ recitals.

The Priory is one of the finest historic parish churches in England. Its exceptional architectural, art historical, archaeological, and historic importance is recognised in its Grade I listing. The Priory should however not be seen as an isolated historical monument, but understood within its wider human and natural environment, and as an asset for the local and wider community. It is open every day under the oversight of custos staff and volunteers. In 2025 it attracted over 60,000 visitors.

The Priory has a long-term Development Plan, recently moving into a first phase as Project Light and Space. In October 2025 the Priory was successful in a bid to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for funding of approximately £695,000 to develop proposals for conservation of the at-risk medieval windows, repair of external stonework, re-ordering internally to remove barriers to use and appreciation, and constructing a new adjacent heritage access building to provide much-needed modern facilities.

Project Light and Space is working towards delivering a Delivery phase proposal to the Heritage Fund in September 2027 for £8.5 million. The total project cost is expected to be in the region of £12.5 million. A Project Team is in the process of being appointed, which will have primary responsibility for successful delivery, but close working between the Project Team and our general operations team will be essential.

The Operations Manager is a key member of staff with primary responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Priory including management of the paid staff team and a large number of volunteers in a variety of roles, booking and facilitation of external bookings and events, development and implementation of policy (including safeguarding), and working with the Vicar, Churchwardens and PCC to develop and deliver the Priory ’ s vision.

Parish website:

Application form (link):

Contact email:

Closing date:

29th May, 2026 at 00:00

Interviews held week commencing:

15th June, 2026