John Wesley's New RoomClosing date: Thu, 19 Mar 2026
Artform: Charity
Role: Admin, Secretarial & PA
Contract: Permanent
South West
Full time
£40k-£50k
Fri, 06 Mar 2026
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published -
Job Summary
The Trustees of John Wesley’s New Room seek an Executive Director to lead the organisation into the next exciting phase of its development.
Job Description
The Trustees of John Wesley's New Room seek an Executive Director to lead the organisation into the next exciting phase of its development. This role will suit someone who is a generalist, comfortable turning their hand to a variety of tasks and is equally happy contributing at a board meeting or engaging with visitors in the chapel. Most importantly, we are looking for someone with excellent leadership and interpersonal skills who can lead the staff and volunteers with confidence, cultivate a positive working culture, develop relationships with a variety of stakeholders and provide strategic leadership for the next phase of John Wesley's New Room. Our small staff team has undergone significant change in the past year to align with the future needs of the organisation. The Trustees expect this to continue in support of the newly refreshed strategy which will see a greater role for JWNR nationally and internationally, as well as playing an increasing role in the new Broadmead community following the anticipated redevelopment works in the local area, from retail to a more mixed residential and leisure offering. Having finalised a vision, we are looking for someone to lead the organisation through this change, laying a solid foundation on a practical and cultural level to then build upon for the future, creating more links with local communities as well as the wider Methodist church. John Wesley's New Room is the oldest Methodist building in the world (Grade I listed) and is a small but busy place where no two days are the same. Offering a chapel, museum and cafe by day, we also have meetings rooms and event spaces for hire, and welcome visitors both local and international on a regular basis. An important piece of Bristol's history, the New Room is where Methodism started and the museum and collection tell the story of John Wesley.
Job Requirements
This role will suit someone who is a generalist, comfortable turning their hand to a variety of tasks and is equally happy contributing at a board meeting or engaging with visitors in the chapel. Most importantly, we are looking for someone with excellent leadership and interpersonal skills who can lead the staff and volunteers with confidence, cultivate a positive working culture, develop relationships with a variety of stakeholders and provide strategic leadership for the next phase of John Wesley's New Room.
Job Responsibilities
The Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of operational, financial, and strategic leadership of this Methodist heritage site, to ensure its growth and sustainability, and delivery of the organisation's strategy. This includes working with the team on-site day to day, providing effective line management, overseeing compliance and operations and working with the Board, as well as providing strategic leadership to help JWNR develop our activities and adapt as the local area evolves over the coming years.
Please submit a CV and covering letter (max. 2 sides of A4) outlining your experience and suitability for the role to [email protected] by 12pm on Thu 19th March.
Interviews will be held in-person (BS1 3JE) on Tues 31st March.
If you would like to arrange an informal conversation about the role, please email [email protected] with some suggested dates/times.
John Wesley’s New Room is the oldest Methodist building in the world, located in the heart of Bristol city centre. Founded in 1739 by John Wesley, the New Room became the cradle of the worldwide Methodist movement. It is home to the original 18th century Chapel, as well as a Museum of John & Charles Wesley's life and work in Bristol, an award-winning Café and a vast reference Library. It is a place where everyone is welcome to explore, step back, take time, reconnect and recharge.