Employment opportunities

Canon Rector and Speaker's Chaplain

Following the appointment of Canon Tricia Hillas as Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Crown intends to appoint a Canon of Westminster. Subject to a formal decision by the Dean and Chapter, the new Canon will occupy the office of Canon Rector. The appointment process will be run jointly with the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons, with the intention that the Canon will also serve as Chaplain to the Speaker.

This unique combination of roles offers the opportunity to provide inspirational ministry in two institutions at the very centre of national life at an exciting time for both. The Abbey is emerging with renewed vigour and confidence from a year in which it staged a State Funeral and a Coronation and welcomed unprecedented numbers of visitors. A key priority for the coming years is to continue to strengthen all elements of its engagement with the public square, and in particular with Parliament.

Simultaneously, the House of Commons is about to begin a new Parliament welcoming new and returning MPs to the parliamentary community and tackling a full legislative agenda. Pressure and scrutiny on those in public life is only increasing, and being a legislator and representative for your local community brings with it challenges as well as opportunities.

Together we seek a Canon Rector and Speaker’s Chaplain with exceptional priestly and pastoral skills, deep insights into the challenges and opportunities of public life and the imagination to develop a distinctive ministry building faith at the heart of the nation.

The new Canon will have been for at least ten years a priest of the Church of England or of a Church in communion therewith. This post is subject to an occupational requirement.

Closing date Monday, 8th July 2024 at 12.00 PM

How to apply

Please download the Application Pack below and return your completed application form and Equal Monitoring form to [email protected].

CVs and cover letters will not be accepted and will not be forwarded to the shortlisting panel so applicants are advised to include all relevant information in the application form. 

Closing date

All applications must be submitted no later than noon on 8 July 2024.

Interview date

The two-day interview process will be conducted on 22 and 23 July 2024.  The successful candidate should be able to take up the appointment on or soon after 1st November 2024.

Safeguarding

Westminster Abbey is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. To prevent them from harm, we undertake appropriate checks on staff and volunteers and require them to complete relevant safeguarding training and an enhanced DBS check.

Westminster Abbey is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Documents

Security Supervisor - Ref: WA311

The Security Department is seeking to recruit a security supervisor to join the existing team of individuals who occupy the role of Senior Beadle. Operating at a supervisory level within the team will involve working on a rota basis (involving nights, weekends and public holidays), ensuring the safety and security of the Abbey site for visitors, worshippers, pupils and residents on a 24-hour basis, and managing a small team of security officers, who fulfil the historic role of Security Beadle.

Permanent – Full time

(an average of 40 hours per week, including nights)

Salary £39,137.99 per annum

Ref: WA311

Utilising your previous experience of security team supervision, you will act as the initial point of contact for all enquiries that arise, and site supervision. As a line manager, you will manage attendance, which will include organising and facilitating return to work meetings following staff absence and ensuring that attendance (including holiday and sickness) is accurately updated on the employee database in a timely manner for both your direct reports and the wider team of Security Beadles.  You will also provide professional support and assistance to the Deputy Head of Security (such as support with assessment during the recruitment and selection of new staff) and deputise for him when required.

You will hold a security qualification, minimum of BTEC Level 3 in Security Management, or relevant equivalent, such as police/military. With your accomplished verbal communication skills, the ability to be persuasive, firmly polite and professional, you will be able to deal with critical incidents under pressure in a calm manner when required.

In return, we will seek to encourage your continuing professional development, which will include a portfolio of responsibilities that will enrich this varied and rewarding role within a truly iconic organisation, who work in close collaboration with the wider Abbey staff community. We also offer a package of staff benefits that is reflected in the application pack.

The Abbey is aware that women are underrepresented, particularly in our Security Department. Therefore, for this vacancy, we particularly welcome applications from female candidates, including those who identity as women.

How to apply

Please complete our application form as CVs will not be accepted.

Closing date 

Candidates will be contacted at the earliest opportunity if selected for interview. Please note this is an ongoing recruitment campaign. 

Safeguarding

We are committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. To prevent them from harm, we undertake appropriate checks on staff and volunteers and require them to complete relevant safeguarding training and an enhanced DBS check. Westminster Abbey is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Documents

Security Officer (multiple posts) - Ref: WA312

Westminster Abbey is seeking to increase the team of Security Beadles to work towards ensuring the safety and security of the Abbey site for visitors, worshippers and residents.

Permanent – Full time

(an average of 40 hours per week, including nights)

Salary £32,524.97 per annum

AND

Minimum Hours

Salary £15.64 per hour

Ref: WA312

Successful candidates will have excellent verbal and written communication skills and must be able to work alone, with a shift partner and with Abbey colleagues. Candidates should have experience of being vigilant and providing a security service to the general public, coupled with an ability to act decisively and on their own initiative in sometimes difficult situations. You will cover a 24/7 shift rota, including days, nights, weekends and public holidays.

The Abbey is aware that women are underrepresented, particularly in our Security Department. Therefore, we would welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, including female candidates, and those who identify as women.

There are a number of posts available, including full-time posts (equivalent to 40 hours a week) and one minimum-hour post, which will require the postholder to work a minimum of 16 hours a month.

How to apply

Please complete our application form as CVs will not be accepted.

You are also advised to read the Job Description and Person Specification carefully and think about how your experience, skills and abilities help you to meet the requirements listed in the Person Specification. Use the ‘Supporting Statement’ section of the form to tell us how you meet each of the requirements. As well as your previous work experience (including a full career history of all employment), tell us about other relevant experience such as community and voluntary experience. Clear information on how you meet all the requirements of the job, with relevant examples, will help us with shortlisting, and we may not be able to shortlist you for interview if you do not provide this.

Please email your completed application to: [email protected].

Closing date 

Candidates will be contacted at the earliest opportunity.

Safeguarding

Westminster Abbey is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. To prevent them from harm, we undertake appropriate checks on staff and volunteers and require them to complete relevant safeguarding training and an enhanced DBS check.  Westminster Abbey is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Documents

Assistant Organist - Ref: WA338

Westminster Abbey has long been a beacon of the British choral tradition, with an international reputation for excellence. The Abbey is now seeking to appoint an Assistant Organist to join its renowned Music Department, helping it to meet the needs and opportunities of the coming decades. The Assistant Organist will provide organ playing and choir training of a high professional standard. The Abbey’s music foundation is under the overall leadership of Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers since January 2023.

The successful candidate will support the Organist and Master of the Choristers and Sub-Organist in all musical matters, and will be called upon to provide voluntaries, improvisation and accompaniments for statutory and special services, including regular streamed services, and to perform in the Abbey’s concert and recital programme.

Closing date Monday, 15th July 2024 at 12.00 PM

• Full Time - Permanent 
• 46,800

How to apply

Please download the Application Pack below and return your completed application form and Equal Monitoring form to [email protected].

CVs and cover letters will not be accepted and will not be forwarded to the shortlisting panel so applicants are advised to include all relevant information in the application form. 

Closing date

All applications must be submitted no later than noon on on Monday 15 July 2024 .

Interview date

Interviews and auditions are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 July 2024.

Safeguarding

Westminster Abbey is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. To prevent them from harm, we undertake appropriate checks on staff and volunteers and require them to complete relevant safeguarding training and an enhanced DBS check. Westminster Abbey is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Documents