Working at The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens
The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens is an incredible building that has been around for over 800 years. Home to the Bishops of Bath & Wells, the site and buildings are owned by the Church Commissioners and operated by The Palace Trust, a registered charity which manages the site as a heritage visitor attraction welcoming over 145,000 visitors a year.
Surrounded by a breath-taking moat, drawbridge, and iconic gatehouse you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful and inspirational place to work.
For our Job Applicant Privacy Notice, see here
Trustee
Voluntary
Following the retirement of long-serving Trustees, we are looking for new Trustees with time, energy and vision to help us conserve this unique heritage site and develop it for future generations to use. We are progressing with our strategy for the Trust’s sustainable growth over the next period of time.
To help us move forward we particularly seek Trustees with experience in:
- Fundraising
- Ownership and conservation of historic buildings
- Sustainable development of historic grounds and gardens
- Development of new audiences, and of partnerships and networks
- Financial/commercial development – with experience of managing/leading visitor attractions
The Board of Trustees meets four times a year. There is a small sub-committee structure with focus on particular specialist areas and all Trustees are asked to support the work of one or more of those groups. Trustees serve on a voluntary basis, although reasonable expenses will be paid.
We are particularly keen to achieve a diverse Trustee board, therefore we are actively seeking expressions of interest from people of all ages, ethnicity and backgrounds who have an interest in our work. Previous experience of being a Trustee is not necessary and training will be given. While empathy with the values and ethos of the Trust is essential, there is no faith-based requirement or expectation.
Full details of the role can be found in Trustee Information.
To Apply:
If you would like to become a part of this unique place, we would love to hear from you.
Please send your CV and covering letter, outlining what you could contribute to the role of Trustee and your interest in applying, to
[email protected]. We also ask that applicants to complete an equal opportunity form which can be found on our website.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Moira Anderson, Administrator who can arrange for you to speak with the Chief Executive or a member of the Board of Trustees. [email protected] or 01749 988111 ext 203.
In return we can offer comprehensive induction and training. As this is a voluntary post there is no renumeration, other than reasonable travel expenses. Expenses may, in some circumstances, include renumeration for loss of earnings.
We reserve the right to close any of our vacancies early if we receive sufficient applicants for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
What employees can expect from The Palace Trust:
You will be working for an independent charity whose main aim is to share, preserve and protect the 800-year old Bishop’s Palace, with it’s medieval buildings, moat and spectacular gardens. We reinvest in the team and the site and work with local community groups and organisations as part of our community engagement.
- Living wage employer
- Support from The Palace Trust’s staff team
- Induction and training place for each employee from day one. Development to undertake the role
- 25 days annual leave per year 4 of which must be taken between Christmas and New Year
- Opportunity to join The Palace Trust’s pension scheme
- Positive working environment
- Opportunity to support your local community through volunteer days
- Access to the organisational Employee Assistance Programme
- 50% staff discount in The Bishop’s Table plus special staff event and admission tickets
