Community Engagement Officer

Welcome

This is an opportunity to work somewhere genuinely distinctive. Brecon Cathedral has stood at the heart of Brecon for more than 900 years and remains a living place of Christian worship and witness, heritage and community life. Set within the remarkable landscape of Bannau Brycheiniog, it offers an inspiring environment where faith, history, culture and community come together.

As Community Engagement Officer, you will join the Cathedral at an important moment in its story. You will help people discover and connect with this extraordinary place, develop and support volunteers, create memorable activities and events, build community partnerships, and broaden participation in Cathedral life.

The Project — People | Passion | Priory

Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, People | Passion | Priory is an ambitious programme investing in both the Cathedral and the people who experience it. The project combines major conservation and accessibility improvements with interpretation, activities, volunteering and community engagement:

Capital & Conservation

• Creation of a new west entrance, improving accessibility and establishing a new spiritual journey through the heart of the Cathedral.
• Restoration and repair of the Cathedral's historic roofs using traditional materials and conservation techniques, safeguarding the building for future generations.
• Improving environmental sustainability through conservation, enhanced insulation and biodiversity improvements across the Cathedral grounds.

Interpretation, Engagement & Welcome

• Revealing and celebrating the Cathedral's story through engaging interpretation of its rich Christian, cultural and architectural heritage.
• Delivering an inspiring programme of activities and events, engaging a broad range of audiences with the Cathedral and its heritage.
• Promoting health and wellbeing, creating opportunities to develop skills, build relationships and experience spaces for reflection and contemplation.
• Empowering local people and volunteers to help shape the visitor experience, interpretation and accessibility.
• Strengthening the Cathedral as a place of welcome, where everyone is received with dignity, respect and hospitality, regardless of background, belief or personal circumstances.

As Community Engagement Officer you will lead programme activities and coordinate our wonderful team of volunteers to turn these ambitions into reality. You will develop relationships, coordinate activities and create opportunities for people to discover, experience and participate in Cathedral life.

Vibrant Brecon

Brecon (Aberhonddu) is an attractive historic market town within Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, surrounded by some of Wales' finest landscapes. Mountains, rivers, woodland and the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal provide exceptional opportunities for walking, cycling and outdoor life.

The town also has a cultural life remarkable for its size, including the internationally recognised Brecon Jazz Festival, Theatr Brycheiniog, Y Gaer museum, art gallery and library, alongside music, exhibitions, independent shops, cafés and community events.

Hay-on-Wye, Crickhowell and Abergavenny are within easy reach, adding to the area's distinctive combination of historic communities, culture, food and outdoor life.

Why Join Us?

For the successful candidate, this is more than an interesting job. It is an opportunity to be part of an ambitious new vision for Brecon Cathedral at one of the most exciting points in its recent history — bringing your ideas, creativity and energy to help shape what comes next.

You will have the opportunity to develop activities, build relationships, inspire volunteers and create experiences that connect people with the Cathedral, helping it grow as a vibrant place of faith, welcome, heritage, creativity and community.

The Role

To support this ambitious vision, Brecon Cathedral is seeking an enthusiastic and engaging Community Engagement Officer to play a key role in bringing the Cathedral's National Lottery Heritage Fund supported Activity Plan to life.

Reporting to the Dean and working closely with Chapter, Cathedral staff, our wonderful volunteers and project partners, the Community Engagement Officer will lead, deliver and promote a varied three-year programme of activities and events, creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the Cathedral, its heritage and its continuing life.

A central part of the role will be to develop and support a thriving volunteer community. The postholder will recruit, welcome, train and encourage volunteers, helping them to contribute their skills and experience while ensuring they feel valued and supported.

Working collaboratively with organisations including Brecon Volunteer Bureau and Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), the engagement officer will help create a positive and rewarding volunteering experience and build a strong volunteer legacy that continues beyond the life of the project.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery

• Support the Dean and Chapter in the successful delivery of the People | Passion | Priory Activity Plan, with particular responsibility for activities, engagement and volunteering.
• Lead, promote and support the delivery of the three-year programme of activities and events, working closely with Cathedral staff, volunteers and project partners.
• Develop partnerships to deliver activities across Brecon, the Diocese and wider region, including participation in appropriate regional and national festivals and events.
• Develop learning resources, workshops and educational activities, creating opportunities for schools, families and young people to engage with the Cathedral and its rich and inspiring heritage.
• Coordinate research and community participation to support the development of new interpretation, working with interpretive designers and developers to create engaging and accessible visitor experiences, including a welcoming family area.
• Work with artists and creative practitioners to develop workshops, participatory activities and new creative work inspired by the Cathedral and its heritage.
• Coordinate community-based environmental activities, including working with Green Minds to develop community gardening and establish a new Forest School area.
• Work collaboratively with the Cathedral team to plan, coordinate and communicate events and activities, ensuring effective delivery of the Activity Plan.
• Work with other members of the Cathedral team to ensure activities and opportunities are effectively promoted to maximise awareness, participation and engagement.

Volunteer Management

• Develop and promote a welcoming and inclusive volunteer programme, identifying meaningful opportunities across Cathedral life with staff and existing volunteers.
• Coordinate volunteer recruitment, selection, induction and onboarding, including promotion, interviews and administration.
• Match volunteers' skills, interests and experience to appropriate roles, supporting those wishing to explore new opportunities.
• Establish effective systems for training, supervision, support and development, reflecting recognised good practice and a positive volunteer experience.
• Maintain effective communication and relationships with volunteers and partner organisations, ensuring volunteers feel informed, supported and valued.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with safeguarding, accessibility, data protection and Cathedral policies.
• Monitor volunteer experience and satisfaction, identifying opportunities to strengthen participation and retention.
• Recognise and celebrate volunteer contributions through events, communications and other appropriate opportunities.
• Manage volunteer transitions and departures sensitively, including exit discussions, equipment returns and record updates.
• Monitor and report participation, volunteer hours and social value, supporting project evaluation and demonstrating the impact of volunteering.

Partnership Working

• Build and sustain positive, productive relationships with community groups, schools, local organisations and project partners, extending the reach and impact of the Cathedral's activities.
• Work closely with Brecon Volunteer Bureau and PAVO to strengthen volunteer recruitment, training, development and support.
• Collaborate across the Cathedral and with project partners to ensure appropriate and consistent National Lottery Heritage Fund recognition and acknowledgement throughout the project.
• Develop and support the Cathedral's Access Group as an active advisory forum, ensuring lived experience informs activities, interpretation and the continuing improvement of accessibility and inclusion.

Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Compliance

• Work closely with the Cathedral and Diocesan Safeguarding Officers to ensure the safety, wellbeing and protection of children, young people and adults at risk, following all relevant safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Prepare and maintain appropriate risk assessments for activities and events, ensuring compliance with Cathedral policies and relevant health and safety requirements.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and good practice, undertaking appropriate training and continuing professional development.
• Attend relevant meetings, training and project activities as required to support effective delivery of the role.
• Undertake other duties reasonably requested by the Dean and Chapter, consistent with the purpose and level of responsibility of the post.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative and well-organised person who enjoys working with people and turning ideas into engaging activities and experiences. You will bring experience of community engagement, volunteer management and public-facing activities, ideally within the heritage, cultural, community, church or voluntary sectors.

You will be a confident communicator and effective relationship-builder, able to work positively with volunteers, communities, colleagues and partner organisations. You will combine strong organisational skills with initiative and creativity and be motivated by the opportunity to welcome and involve people, develop partnerships and make a lasting difference to the Cathedral and the communities it serves.

This post is subject to a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.

Appointment is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and appropriate safeguarding training.

The Offer

The Cathedral is committed to providing a supportive, flexible and productive working environment. Staff typically work on site, reflecting the collaborative and public-facing nature of Cathedral life, while flexibility is encouraged where appropriate. As the role will occasionally require evening and weekend working to support events and activities, working arrangements will provide reasonable flexibility to accommodate these commitments and promote a positive work-life balance.

Safeguarding

Brecon Cathedral is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check and appropriate safeguarding training as part of the role.

Christian Ethos

Brecon Cathedral has sustained an unbroken tradition of Christian worship, prayer and witness for more than 900 years and remains the spiritual heart of the Diocese. The Community Engagement Officer will play an important role in communicating and interpreting this living Christian heritage and supporting the Cathedral's continuing mission with knowledge, understanding and authenticity.

Given the nature and context of these responsibilities, there is a genuine occupational requirement, in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010, that the post-holder is a committed Christian.