Project Manager, ‘Vicars’ Close: a medieval street singing through the centuries’

Would you like to manage a project for Wells Cathedral to restore and revitalise Vicars’ Close, the oldest intact continuously inhabited medieval street in Europe, which has been home to the Vicars’ Choral, the adult singers of the Cathedral Choir for over 650 years?

Our National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) funded project, ‘Vicars’ Close: a medieval street singing through the centuries,’ is an opportunity-of-a-lifetime combining a capital restoration works scheme with a bold new approach to the interpretation and engagement of these medieval buildings.

This multi-faceted project incorporates history, architecture, culture, environment and community and will create a huge and lasting change in the way this built heritage is managed, viewed and engaged with.  The opening up of Vicars Hall and the Treasury Block and the creation of two new interpretation centres will ensure a fabulous visitor experience, help the sustainability of the local economy, and ensure that Vicars Close is restored for the benefit of future generations to come.

This is a critical role that will be responsible for the delivery of the Development Phase plan. Key deliverables are:

• Ensuring that project milestones are met, to time, to quality and to budget
• Managing a team of consultants who are experts in their field,
• Reporting (in the required format) the progress achieved to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

You will bring a proven track record in delivering significant capital projects in complex environments, substantial experience in heritage, interpretation and engagement projects, working with listed buildings and projects that include the built environment and conservation, understanding and use of the RIBA Plan of Work Methodology, budget management experience and strong financial acumen.

You will be supported by the Cathedral’s Clerk of the Works, Financial Controller and Development Director and will report to the Chief Operating Officer.

If you are highly organised, can make bold decisions and have a flexible work attitude and are values-driven we would love to hear from you.

This is a fixed term post until 15^th March 2024. Subject to review, successful completion of the Development Phase and successful Delivery phase application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the contract could be extended, by mutual consent, for up to four years to deliver the project.

The role will be full-time (35 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) with the possibility of some evening and weekend work. The Salary for the post will be £45,000 per annum and the closing date for all applications will be midnight on Sunday 3^rd July 2022 with interviews taking place on 11^th July.

For further details, information on how to apply and an application form, please visit the Cathedral website https://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/your-cathedral/vacancies/.

For an informal conversation about the role please contact Jonathan Sawyer, Development Director on 01749 832214 or at VCProject@wellscathedral.org.uk