Job Description

Are you a highly organised, proactive leader with proven management experience and a passion for delivering exceptional visitor experiences? Guildford Cathedral is seeking a dynamic Head of Commercial Enterprise to oversee our Visitor Experience and Events Team. In this pivotal role, you will drive excellence across our Cafe Restaurant franchise and Cathedral Shop, ensuring outstanding service for all events clients and visitors.

Background
Guildford Cathedral is a sacred space and a community of people who engage with God and the wider world for the common good. We do this by being a warm-hearted community open to God, to all, to growth and to transformation. Over 100,000 visitors come to the Cathedral each year and our Cathedral community comprises thousands who feel close the Cathedral because of historical connection, the purchase of a brick in the 1950s, their membership of the worshipping congregations or staff and volunteers.

Reporting to:

Chief Operating Officer.

Accountable to:

The Chapter of Guildford Cathedral and the Guildford Cathedral Enterprises Management Board.

Hours and salary:

Full time 35 hours per week (flexibility is essential for this role and the hours worked are governed by the pattern of the events programme). The salary for the post is 45400.

What You'll Do:
Lead the Enterprise team to provide an outstanding level of service to events clients, visitors, including the families programme, and deliver excellence in the Cafe Restaurant franchise and the Shop. You will work enthusiastically as part of the Cathedrals team of staff and volunteers to help deliver our vision.

*Some of the Key Responsibilities of the role

:

Events

+ To direct the events team in organising the extensive events programme, maximise the spare capacity of the Cathedral building and the adjacent grounds, thereby generating income as required by the Cathedral budget.
+ To be responsible for the execution of events, delegating to the Events Team and/or other Staff members as appropriate.
+ To be on duty as part of the team rota delivering events.

Cafe Restaurant

+ To ensure that the franchise delivers the requisite performance, in terms of quality and financial benefit to the Cathedral, as required by the contract between Guildford Cathedral Enterprises and the franchisee.

Management

+ To be the line manager for the Enterprise team members, including Events Officer, Events Assistant, Shop Manager & Shop Assistant, Visitor Engagement Officer, and the Families Engagement Officer.
+ To be the Cathedral point of contact for management issues related to the employees of the Cafe Restaurant franchisee.
+ To attend Diary Management and Head of Department Meetings.
+ To ensure all marketing and relevant information reaches the marketing team in a timely manner.

Shop

+ To direct the Shop team to provide value for money in the Shop, delivering an excellent level of service to the community and a level of income required by the Cathedral budget.

Visitor Engagement & Families Programme

+ To direct the Visitor Engagement Officer and Family Engagement Officer to deliver the wide programme of tours, concerts, and Family engagement days, broadening our visitor numbers and demographic and managing the outreach activities actively and effectively.

Key Relationships:

Guildford Cathedral Enterprises Management Board. Chief Operating Officer. Cafe Restaurant Manager. Events Team. Shop Manager. Visitor Experience Officer Family Engagement Officer. Events Clients. Head of Marketing Finance Manager. Virgers. Cathedral Staff and Volunteers.

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Head of Commercial Enterprise

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*will has

:

+ Significant management and leadership experience.
+ Excellent customer service skills.
+ Excellent financial, numerical, and administrative skills.
+ The ability to work within tight deadlines, highly organised with excellent time management skills.
+ Excellent written and oral communication skills.
+ Confidence and is self-starter, diplomatic and helpful.
+ Flexibility and is a responsive team player.
+ Evidence of strong IT skills.
+ Experience of working in a unique venue or similar environment.
+ 3 years operational experience of running events.



Please refer to the attached for the full details of the Head of Commercial Enterprise role JD Head of Commercial Enterprise .docx

Ready to Apply?
To apply, please complete the application form, and include a covering letter addressing the Key Tasks and Essential Skills and Attributes, as well as your CV.
Application Form.doc
Referees will not be approached without your consent. Applications will only be considered with a completed application form, CV and covering letter. Guildford Cathedral operates under a Safer Recruiting policy. Proof of eligibility for working in the UK will be required before appointing.


For an informal conversation please contact Louise Musgrove on 01483 547 881. Closing date for receipt of application is 28 November 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed during the week commencing 15 December 2025.