Working at The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens

The Bishop’s Palace: Our Commitment

The Bishop’s Palace is dedicated to equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion. We value the strengths that a diverse workforce brings to our organisation and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances.

Join Us

If you are excited by the prospect of helping shape the future of one of Somersets most iconic historic sites,  we would love to hear from you. Become part of a team that celebrates heritage, fosters community, and believes in making a lasting difference.    

Step into history—and help us write the next chapter.

Looking for a Voluntary role?  We often have volunteering opportunities too which you can find here. 

Marketing & Communications Manager

20 Hours pw worked over 3 – 4  days.
Salary: From £35,000 (based on FT hours) depending on experience

✨Shape the Future of an Iconic Heritage Site

Are you a creative, strategic, and dynamic marketing professional ready to make a real impact in a place rich with history, stories, and inspiration?
The Bishop’s Palace – an 800‑year‑old heritage site and one of Somerset’s most treasured visitor attractions – is looking for a passionate Marketing & Communications Manager to lead our marketing vision into an exciting new chapter

🎯 The Role

As our Marketing & Communications Manager, you will shape and deliver the strategic and day‑to‑day marketing that grows our audiences, enhances our reputation, and brings the Palace’s story to life.
You’ll lead a small, talented team – including our Digital Marketing Executive and Fundraising Assistant – while also collaborating closely with colleagues across the organisation.

This is a senior role with a seat at the table: you’ll be part of the Senior Management Team, contributing to organisational strategy and long‑term vision.

💡 What You’ll Do

• Lead and implement creative, multi‑channel marketing strategies that drive visitor growth and brand awareness.
• Manage and evolve the Palace’s brand identity as our guardian of visual and verbal consistency.
• Oversee digital marketing including website, SEO, social media, email and content creation.
• Act as the main contact for press and media, securing strong, high‑quality coverage.
• Deliver engaging internal and external communications that strengthen our relationships.
• Lead market research initiatives, analyse visitor feedback, and use insight to guide campaigns.
• Support fundraising communications to amplify our charity’s impact and purpose.
• Manage the annual marketing budget and report regularly to the Management Team.

🌱 What You’ll Bring

• Senior-level experience in marketing and/or communications.
• A track record of delivering successful marketing campaigns across digital and traditional channels.
• Strong media relations skills, with experience managing press enquiries and producing statements.
• Expertise in digital marketing, including CMS management, social media, SEO and analytics.
• Brilliant written and verbal communication, with a strong editorial eye.
• Creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking – alongside the ability to juggle varied priorities.
• A collaborative approach and an enthusiasm for engaging with diverse audiences.
• A genuine connection with our charitable values: authenticity, inclusivity, hospitality, spirituality, generosity and sustainability.

🌿 What We Offer

• From £35,000 FTE
• Great benefits package
• Work at the heart of a nationally important heritage site, surrounded by beauty and history.
• Be part of a visionary team dedicated to inspiring joy, healing, hope, and wellbeing through heritage.
• Shape the future of The Bishop’s Palace, making a real impact on visitor engagement, and community outreach.
• We invest in our people, providing training, mentoring and the chance to take on new challenges as you advance

   

How to Apply Please send a CV along with a Cover letter to [email protected] .  Applications will only be considered with a cover letter included.

Full details of the role can be found:  Marketing & Communications Manager

Closing date for Applications is at 12noon on Sunday 22 February 2026.   
Interviews are scheduled to take place at The Bishop’s Palace on Monday 2 March 2026.

Anticipated start date for this role:   April  2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as soon as possible

Food & Beverage Assistant (Part time)

Part Time Hours – Straight shifts, rota basis, working both weekdays and weekends.
£13.45ph (Real Living Wage)

The Role:
We’re looking for an experienced Food & Beverage Assistant to join the team to deliver exceptional customer service – and fantastic coffee!    The Bishop’s Table offers breakfast and lunch in the busy café plus there are several seasonal outlets in the grounds.   

The team work day shifts, generally hours between 8.30am until 6.30pm on a rota basis.  The café is open daily from 9.30am until 5.30pm daily.  There will be some occasional evenings if a special event is taking place such as Supper Club, Private Hire/bars or Events such as Sparkle Illuminations.

This is a part time role, however additional hours will be available during busy seasons.

Who are we looking for:
We’re looking for someone with at least 2-years Barista experience who wants to ensure that every customer has a great visit.    We aim to serve exceptional coffee, cake and fresh cooked food while offering a warm welcome and excellent customer service.    Bar experience would be an advantage.

This could be a great environment to develop your career.   Or perhaps you are looking to change your work /life balance and come to an exciting catering environment which has daytime shifts.    We are looking for team members who are flexible in their working days.  You must be a team player, be enthusiastic about customer care, be willing to learn and share learning.     It is key time in the café’s development to join and to help influence the future catering offering.  As a small team there may be times when you may be asked to assist in other areas.  

Experience & Qualifications:
Ideally our Food & Beverage Assistant would have
Barista Experience (essential)
At least 2 years’ experience working in a busy café/restaurant
Excellent communication and customer service skills along with ability to well work under pressure.
A-level or equivalent
Bar experience
Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety (or be willing to complete)

How to Apply
Please send a CV along with a Cover letter to [email protected] 

Full details of the role can be found:  Food & Beverage Assisstant

Applications will be considered as received and shortlisted applicants invited to interview.

Casual/Bank Chef

Casual Hours – kitchen over during holidays or additional support for events
Pay depending on experience – per hour  

The Role:
We are looking to add some casual cover/ bank Chefs  to join our small kitchen team.    The Chefs we are looking for would work on an ‘as and when Basis’  and work as part of the  kitchen team to produce exceptional food cooked to order.   This would be perfect for a Chef who is looking to share their knowledge and experience with a new generation, whilst helping out and benefiting a charity at the heart of Wells.

This role offers the best work/life balance as hours will be on a casual basis.   Rotas are planned in advance so you will have notice of workdays.  We are looking for several chefs who are happy to be called upon  and added to the rota to cover holidays, sickness, days off or to add additional support during high season or events.    

The Bishop’s Table offers breakfast, brunch and lunch in the busy café.    The team work day shifts, generally 8am until 4.30pm.  The café is open from 9.30am until 5.30pm daily with occasional evenings for special events.       Our Kitchen team are responsible for creating menus, ordering and all health, safety and hygiene to ensure an efficient smooth-running kitchen.      We are open year-round and part of a busy, historic visitor attraction so welcome both tourists and regular local customers.

Who are we looking for:
We’re looking for Chef with at least 3 years’ experience in a busy kitchen producing fresh food to order.       

This might be working 1 or 2 shifts per month or covering one of the chefs’ holidays so could be 8 days out of 14.    Shifts could be a full day, or additional cover for a summer lunch time. 

You must be a team player, be enthusiastic about creating and producing seasonal menus, be willing to learn and share learning. 

Qualifications / Skills:
Ideally our Chef would have NVQ L1 or 2 or City and Guilds 7061/7062.  
At least 3 years’ experience as a chef in a fast-paced kitchen
Willing to share skills and experience
Excellent communication skills and ability to place orders and maintain kitchen paperwork.

How to Apply
Please send a CV along with a Cover letter to [email protected] 

Full details of the role can be found:  Bank / Casual Chef

Applications will be considered as received and shortlisted applicants invited to interview.

We reserve the right to close any vacancies early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested in any of the above roles, please submit your application as early as possible.

Employee Benefits

You will be working for an independent charity whose main aim is to share, preserve and protect the 800-year Bishop’s Palace, with its 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.    

• We are a real living wage and a Disability Confident employer.
• We provide an induction and training plan for each employee from day one.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and long service holiday rewards
• Wellbeing support and access to the organisational Employee Assistance Programme
• A positive, supportive, inclusive, and collaborative working environment
• Family-friendly policies
• Staff social events
• Free admission for yourself and a guest ticket
• Free event tickets and staff discounts
• Opportunity to join the Palace Trust Pension scheme (min of 12% basic pay contribution)
• Opportunity to support the local community through volunteer days
• The chance to make a meaningful impact in the preservation and celebration of local heritage