Current Vacancies: Buildings Manager - Activities and Volunteers Coordinator - Weekend Assistant

Buildings Manager

(Part Time – 0.6 FTE)

Welcome

Did you ever dream of having the keys to a castle? We’re looking for someone who wants to help us look after the “Best Building in Wales” (RIBA, 2024). Hay Castle is not the same old castle.  Built by a revolutionary Medieval giantess, and most recently inhabited by the self-proclaimed King of Hay, who appointed his horse as Prime Minister, it has been rescued, restored, and renewed. The Castle now serves as a unique centre of arts, heritage, and learning, attracting around 100,000 visitors each year.

The Buildings Manager is a part time, permanent post based at Hay Castle, reporting to the Director. The overall purpose of the role is to:

• Maintain and oversee the upkeep of the castle

• Guarantee the safety and functionality of all facilities

• Help us demonstrate just how different we are from other historical buildings.

ABOUT THE ROLE - The successful candidate will:

• Participate in the development, monitoring and updating of Hay Castle’s maintenance plan.

• Knowledge of Health and Safety & Fire safety compliance requirements

• Carry out the maintenance plan and upkeep of Hay Castle both internally and externally.

• Carry out a broad range of minor repairs.

• Hire and oversee site contractors and report back to the Director for cost approval and cost sign off.

• Comply with procedures to manage risk to visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors including carrying out risk assessments and ensuring the prompt implementation of any remedial risk mitigation.

• Serve as fire warden.

• Maintain security systems, fire and waste systems across the whole site.

• Ensure kitchen equipment is properly maintained and stored.

• Follow environmental and cost-effective practices to promote an environmentally friendly and energy efficient workplace.

• Ensure waste removal and litter clearance around the site.

• Help to set up for events, including moving and storing furniture and other items.

GARDEN:

• Supervise garden works in collaboration with contractors and garden volunteers.

• Ensure best practice in tree maintenance is followed.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Knowledge and experience in building maintenance and upkeep.

• Experience in carrying out repairs and/or light construction.

• Competence with machinery/equipment use and maintenance of tools with accreditation as required for Health and Safety compliance.

• Experience in operating hand-held power tools.

• Full driving licence.

DESIRABLE:

• Knowledge of traditional building practices and/or working with listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments.

• Knowledge of gardening.

• Welsh language (oral & written) skills or willingness to learn.

• Budget management.

To apply please send a CV and cover letter to info@haycastletrust.org by 16 January 2026

Activities and Volunteers Coordinator

(Part Time – 0.6   FTE)

Welcome

Hay Castle Trust is a young charity with big ambitions, and we’re looking for someone who wants to grow with us.

Hay Castle is not the same old castle. Built by a revolutionary Medieval giantess, and most recently inhabited by the self-proclaimed King of Hay, who appointed his horse as Prime Minister, it has been rescued, restored, and renewed. The Castle now serves as a unique centre of arts, heritage, and learning, attracting around 100,000 visitors each year.

The Activities & Volunteers Coordinator is a part-time, permanent post based at Hay Castle, reporting to the Director. The overall purpose of the role is to:

• Manage the Hay Castle volunteers and develop and coordinate the volunteering programme.

• Develop and deliver a varied and exciting programme of activities in our Clore Learning Space.

• Help us demonstrate that we are not like other historical attractions.

Don’t worry if you don’t tick every box on the job description. What matters most is that you’re creative, smart, organised, and have a genuine passion for working with people. If you’re full of creative ideas, love working with people, and want to be part of our small and ambitious team, we’d love to hear from you.

ABOUT THE ROLE

VOLUNTEERS - The successful candidate will:

• Coordinate the continued identification, recruitment, management and retention of volunteers.

• Liaise with other Castle departments to understand and prioritise their volunteer needs.

• Coordinate the recruitment and security vetting of the volunteers and carry out administrative tasks.

• Maintain a volunteer management system.

• Promote awareness of the volunteer programme and encourage inclusion and diversity in recruiting.

• Ensure effective communication and information sharing amongst volunteers.

• Identify, promote and advertise volunteering opportunities.

ACTIVITIES - The successful candidate will:

• Devise, develop and deliver a high-quality annual programme of activities and workshops.

• Create or adapt publications, ‘tool-kits’ and learning materials.

• Collaborate with Communications and Engagement Manager on marketing for activities and on developing opportunities to increase community involvement.

• Ensure Clore Learning Space is maintained and in good order.

ABOUT YOU

The following skills and experiences will be beneficial to this role:

• Experience of working with and managing volunteers.

• Passion for achieving high levels of engagement and participation.

• Interest in heritage and knowledge of learning at heritage sites.

• Experience of working on community engagement projects.

• Knowledge of the requirements of delivering and evaluating successful projects.

• Strong organisational skills.

• Excellent communication skills, especially verbal.

• Computer literate with experience in web-based programmes.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and closely with a small team.

• Flexibility and reliability.

To apply please send a CV and cover letter to info@haycastletrust.org by 30 January 2026.

Castle Assistant (Weekends)

(Part Time – 0.4 or 0.2 FTE)

Welcome

We’re looking for someone with a passion for heritage and community, who wants to join a small, friendly and hardworking team to help with the running Hay Castle over weekends.

Hay Castle is not the same old castle. Built by a revolutionary Medieval giantess, and most recently inhabited by the self-proclaimed King of Hay, who appointed his horse as Prime Minister, it has been rescued, restored, and renewed. The Castle now serves as a unique centre of arts, heritage, and learning, attracting around 100,000 visitors each year.

As our Castle Assistant (Weekends), you’ll have the chance to shape the role and play a vital part in delivering a special experience for our visitors.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

This is a permanent, part-time post, with two weekend vacancies available. Please indicate your preference on application or let us know if you would like to be considered for both.

• Vacancy 1: Each weekend 0.4 FTE (excluding 11 days Annual Leave) (actual salary £11,190 per annum)

• Vacancy 2: Alternate weekends 0.2 FTE (excluding 6 days Annual Leave) (actual salary £5,595 per annum)

This role is a mix of desk-based admin, practical, hands-on support, and visitor facing responsibilities. You’ll work to a daily staffing schedule, rotating between different service points. You’ll help with tasks like:

• Proactively working with the team in the operation of the Castle at the weekend.

• Supervising and supporting the front desk and shop and other income-generating activities.

• Interacting with visitors and dealing with their enquiries.

• Dealing with routine administrative duties, (e.g., ticket sales, data management in accordance with the Castle’s policies and procedures).

• Supporting the Buildings Manager in ensuring the smooth operation, functionality and excellent appearance of the Castle (excluding cleaning duties).

• Liaising with the staff team and the Castle’s volunteer group.

• Supporting set-up and take-down of occasional weekend events.

• Opening and closing the Castle in accordance with security and other procedures.

• Being familiar with health and safety procedures.

ABOUT YOU

• Ability to work effectively both independently and closely with a small team

• Flexibility and reliability

• Working with the public

• Ability to remain calm under pressure

• Basic IT and numeracy skills

• Interest in heritage

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to info@haycastletrust.org by 23 January 2026.