Vacancies

Published: 24th March 2026

Closing Date: Midnight 19th April 2026

Interviews: 23rd April 2026

Work Experience and Volunteer Coordinator

Activity Plan
Job Description

We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual, with experience of managing volunteers in a heritage or cultural environment. Our ideal candidate will be a highly organised team-player, with the ability to work with a wide range of people from a variety of backgrounds.

LOCATION: St Mary Magdalene, Newark on Trent

ACCOUNTABLE TO: PCC of St Mary Magdalene with St Leonard, Newark on Trent

DURATION: 0.6 FTE, Fixed Term post until 30th June 2027– extension subject to further funding

SALARY: £32,000 FTE pro rata (£19,200 p.a)

CONTEXT

St Mary Magdalene is a Grade 1 church in the market town of Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire. It is situated adjacent to the marketplace in the Conservation Area, close to the National Civil War Centre. The church, of cathedral proportions, dates from the 12th century. It has one of the tallest spires in the country and played a key role during the Civil War. It continues to have a strong musical tradition; participates in the town’s annual calendar of events; organises an annual Christmas Tree Festival; and has a well attended toddler group and community café bar. It is home to a vibrant and cross-generational worshipping community of well over 200 people, many of whom help as volunteers with the daily activities of the church.

In 2023 the PCC of St Mary Magdalene with St Leonard, Newark was awarded a Delivery Grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund towards their project ‘The Reawakening of St Mary Magdalene, Supporting Newark’s communities’. The church has also been awarded a grant by the Strategic Development Unit of the Church of England to support new staff roles and reorder the church for modern worship. While the Capital Works of the Reawakening project have now been completed, and several of the listed aims below have been achieved, we want to: 

  • ‘Reawaken’ St Mary Magdalene so that it becomes a hub in the town

  • Be more inclusive by developing a programme of heritage engagement activities, improving physical access, accessible WC provision and ensuring everybody has a warm welcome

  • Bring economic benefits to Newark & Sherwood District through employment (1.6 FTE jobs), heritage construction and freelance contracts, and more visitors

  • Make the church safe, water-tight, and warm to reinstate it as a key heritage asset in Newark’s tourism offer

  • Support young people in their careers by providing opportunities for them to learn about and develop heritage skills

  • Ensure the PCC is resilient through greater footfall in the church, paid staff, a corps of highly trained volunteers and being able to plan for future maintenance 

  • Work towards a gold Eco Church award by minimizing the carbon footprint of the church.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The purpose of this new role is to:

  • Deliver the heritage skills strand of the Activity Plan which was developed in consultation with local schools, Lincoln College and the University of Nottingham. 

  • Work with the Evaluation Consultant during the project to evaluate the placements

  • Recruit and train a volunteer corps to deliver the Activity Plan and sustain a heritage offer after the Heritage Fund grant expires.

The role will be line-managed by the Heritage Interpretation & Visitor Experience Manager. Both roles are part-funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.  

Key Responsibilities 

  • To work with local partners, including the University of Nottingham, Newark College and the Magnus Academy to develop and deliver work experience opportunities 

  • Attend careers events and encourage involvement of students at staff from local schools and colleges

  • Refine volunteer roles and develop a volunteer handbook

  • Recruit, induct, and manage volunteers to support the delivery of the Activity Plan 

  • Organise the delivery of volunteer training to support delivery of the Activity Plan

  • Rota volunteers to support the delivery of the Activity Plan

  • Develop regular communications with volunteers 

  • To evaluate the success of the heritage skills and volunteer strands of the Activity Plan working with the external Evaluation Consultant 

  • Record volunteer contributions to the project and provide input into quarterly reports for The National Lottery Heritage Fund

  • Manage deadlines and communicate these with line manager

  • Plan and prioritise workload to ensure targets are met

  • Undertake such other duties as required

The full Activity Plan can be viewed on the Church’s website here: https://stmnewark.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/St-Mary-Magdalene_Activity-Plan_24th-July-2023-Final-Version-1.docx-2.pdf. 


Person Specification

Essential

  • Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with volunteers or young people in a church, heritage, or similar setting

  • Passion for audience development 

  • Experience of volunteer management

  • Good verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate comfortably and confidently with a variety of audiences

  • Highly organised with good attention to detail 

  • Excellent customer service skills and telephone manner

  • Excellent IT skills 

  • Works well under pressure

  • Able to use own initiative whilst recognising when to refer to line manager 

  • Willingness to work flexibly as part of a team 

  • Ability to prioritise and organise workload

  •  ‘Can do’ attitude and problem solver

Desirable

  • Knowledge and experience of delivering a National Lottery Heritage Fund or Community Fund project


TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Period of employment:  Fixed term until 30th June 2027.  Any extension beyond this would be subject to the PCC obtaining necessary funding

Salary: £32,000 FTE pro rata (£19,200 p.a

Working hours: 21 hours per week (0.6 FTE) with some flexibility some flexibility for evening/ weekend working

Holidays: The part-time holiday entitlement is 17 days paid holiday per year excluding public holidays. 

Pension: Employer contribution equivalent to 5% of the gross salary paid monthly into the auto-enrolment pension scheme. 

Sickness/Absence: You will, if eligible, be paid Statutory Sick Pay in accordance with the legislation applying at the time.  

Location: The post holder will be expected to work at St Mary Magdalene with some flexibility for home working.

Expenses: All reasonable working expenses will be met at an agreed rate with the PCC.  You will not be reimbursed for travel from your home to your agreed workplace. 

Termination:  The appointment is subject to a three-month probationary period and may be extended if necessary.    

FOR ALL APPLICANTS:

Safeguarding Regulations: The PCC is committed to the safeguarding and protection of all young people and adults and we and other schools and partners will need to undertake an enhanced DBS checks on you.  A condition of your employment will be that you complete such applications whenever requested to do so and that the checks confirm that there are no reasons why you should not work with children or vulnerable adults.

Appraisal: There will be an appraisal after three months, to confirm the probationary period, and each year thereafter.

Review of roles:  The role will be reviewed at the annual appraisal. The PCC have the right to alter duties in accordance with the needs of the project.

How to Apply

Please submit an up-to-date CV and covering letter outlining your relevant experience and detailing how you meet the Criteria. Applications are to be submitted to Anna Herbert by e-mail via anna.herbert@stmnewark.org.

Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 19th April 2026.

Interviews: In person at St Mary Magdalene, Newark on Trent, 23rd April 2026.

Start Date: It is anticipated that the successful applicant will commence the role as soon as possible.