Church jobs

Job Title: Executive Assistant to the COO

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Key Relationships: Director of HR, Senior Leadership Team, Heads of Department 

Start Date: ASAP

Salary: £37,000

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

How to apply: Please see the Applicant Pack. 

Interviews: Tuesday 6th May 2025

Role Summary

Southwark Cathedral has been a place of Christian worship for over 1400 years. Now it stands on the vibrant and exciting regenerated south bank of the Thames surrounded by cultural venues such as Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market, the offices of major companies as well as schools and diverse residential communities. It is an inclusive Christian community that offers a welcome to all.

The Cathedral’s mission, ministry and musical tradition are core to its life as a Cathedral and a parish church serving the community. It also relies on the valuable financial contribution made by its income generating activities such as its shop, café, conference rooms, corporate events and concerts. It is a very busy place, attracting 200,000 visitors a year to the Cathedral, its churchyard and medieval herb garden. The Cathedral relies on a small but dedicated team to be inclusive and welcoming to all.

The Executive Assistant (EA) will provide support to the Chief Operation Officer (COO) to assist them in the effective functioning of all governance, human resources and operational arrangements at the Cathedral.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Support for the COO

• Lead the coordination, preparation, planning and follow up for the COO’s briefing for and attendance at meetings associated with the governance of the Cathedral, including Chapter, Finance Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, Nominations Committee, Fabric Advisory Committee and Board of Enterprises.
• Undertake research and assisting in the drafting and review of papers for such meetings. Minute taking will not usually be required (but may be requested from time to time in liaison with members of staff usually responsible for the minutes);
• Support the COO in all their working relationships including building and maintaining excellent relationships with Chapter Members and Committee Members, the Bishop’s staff and with the wider Diocese, as well as with neighbours, contractors, commercial partners and professional advisers;
• Draft briefs and management reports;
• Assist in the research, writing and preparation of the Cathedral’s Annual Report;
• Assist with the drafting and submission of Cathedral-wide documents, such as the Cathedrals Survey, Peer Review etc.
• Assist with the development of the Cathedral’s strategy and supporting reports and documents;
• Assist the COO with national, royal and high-profile civic events planning;
• Provide general administrative assistance in the context of a busy office;
• Promote the mission, purpose and values of the Cathedral;
• Any other responsibilities as may reasonably be required;
• Ensure that the highest standards of professional performance are maintained, and ensure professional skills are regularly updated through participation in training and development activities.
  

Senior Leadership Team & Diary

• Prepare Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meeting agendas and supporting documents, handling arrangements for meetings (Zoom when needed);
• Attend SLT meetings, track actions and report where relevant on items;
• Collate proposals for events from the Head of Events and Head of Visitor Engagement which need SLT approval and include them under SLT standing item on the agenda;
• On behalf of SLT, chair the weekly operational run-through of the Diary Meeting with Heads of Department and other staff;
• Manage the Cathedral diary in coordination with the Estates Manager – make in-house bookings, input the annual liturgical schedule, make alterations arising from the Diary Meeting;
• Act as the Cathedral’s key contact for the Metropolitan Police’s Southwark Counter Terrorism PROTECT Team – provide them with information (proactively and when requested) on Cathedral events and services of interest to the Police.
  

HR

Recruitment

Support the COO with co-ordination of recruitment for new Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral Enterprises Limited staff, in line with Safer Recruitment best practice;

• Co-ordinate the creation of job descriptions with direction from the COO & Director of HR, in liaison with the relevant Head of Department and line manager for the role being recruited;
• Manage the Cathedral’s recruitment processes – identifying platforms for advertisement, arranging short-listing and interview panels, featuring on shortlisting panels where required;
• Lead with preparations for interview – book rooms, invite candidates to interview, arrange testing and advise on test materials where needed, prepare and advise on interview questions;
• Where required, take part in interview panels;
• Manage the appointment process for new starters – communicate process outcomes to applicants (appointment and rejection communications), pursue references, complete pre-employment checks, liaise with colleagues on DBS check requirements;
• Assist with contract drafting for new appointments in liaison with the COO & Director of HR;
• Manage the induction process for new starters – IT set-up requirements, identification and access cards, ensure a desk space is in place for starters prior to arrival, give starters an IT induction and introduction to the Cathedral diary, familiarise new starters with the Staff Handbook, arrange health & safety inductions with the Property team and introductory meetings with relevant members of staff, and liaise with the Visitor Engagement Officer to enrol new starters on the next available staff tour of the Cathedral;
• Assist the Finance team by obtaining new starter financial information, HMRC Starter Forms and other necessary enrolment information.

Operational HR Support

Human Resources Administration for Staff

• Manage the Cathedral’s digital HR system (Mentor) – be responsible for creating and updating staff profiles, setting up each new leave year, monitoring annual leave & sick leave (reporting on these for KPI and audit purposes where necessary) and being the point of contact for staff who have queries on how to use the system;
• Communicate staff annual leave entitlement and respond to staff queries on leave;   
• Support the Finance team with provision of HR information pertaining to the annual audit and insurance cover, e.g. staff numbers, requested contracts, annual leave summaries;
• Assist the COO with drafting of HR documentation/correspondence;
• Work with the Finance team on the provision of Annual Pay Review letters for all staff;
• Keep the Cathedral’s hard copy and digital HR filing systems up to date, in accordance with GDPR best practice;
• Assist the COO with HR audits;
• Support the COO and Director of HR with the rolling update of the Staff Handbook and Cathedral policies pertaining to HR;
• Develop and use process checklists for the HR function, including recruitment, induction, appraisal and exit;
• Oversee the administration of the appraisal and performance management process – liaise with managers to provide templates, resources and advice and ensure these are completed on time and to a high standard;
• Record staff training;
• Liaise with the Diocesan Director of HR for advice and support when queries relating to staff or HR situations arise.

Person Specification 

Skills/Aptitudes

• Ability to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and discretion;
• Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Understanding of process management and policy development;
• Able to demonstrate up-to-date knowledge of good practice in organisation development, particularly change management and developing organisational culture;
• Able to demonstrate up-to-date knowledge of good practice in learning and development, particularly management development and talent management;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with people at all levels – internally and externally;
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Effective planning and project management skills, with the ability to set and work to deadlines;
• Ability to move between big picture thinking and minute detail.

Knowledge/Experience

• Accredited HR qualifications (desired but not essential)
• Experience and application of Human Resources policy and processes;
• Experience of implementing new systems and processes to improve efficiency;
• Experience of and commitment to continuous organisational improvement and the ability to act as an agent of change;
• Experience of working in an organisation with both paid staff and volunteers;
• Experience of working within a faith setting;
• Experience of an Anglican or liturgical church and familiarity with the Church of England and its structures.

Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated and enthusiastic;
• Pragmatic and solution-oriented;
• Committed to high standards and continual improvement;
• Willingness to engage with, understand and implement the use of new software, applications and systems;
• Demonstrates a sympathy for the values, aims and ethos of Southwark Cathedral.

Southwark Cathedral is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer. We believe in promoting and building a diverse and inclusive team, and workplace, culture and governance structures that are welcoming to and respectful of all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people whatever their ethnicity, background, age, disability, long term condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Safeguarding is at the core of all we do. We follow best practice for Safer Recruitment.

Terms and Conditions

Working Hours

The working hours shall be 35 per hours a week, exclusive of meal breaks. Some out of hours working will be required to support meetings and events and this will be notified in advance. Time off in lieu will be awarded in line with Southwark Cathedral’s policy.

Annual Leave

25 days paid leave per annum including statutory bank holidays and an extra day at Christmas.

Probation

The appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

Season ticket loan

Once the probationary period has been completed satisfactorily, the person appointed will be eligible to take out a season ticket loan.

Pension

The person appointed will be eligible to join a defined contributions pension scheme managed by the Church Workers Pension Fund. The Cathedral will contribute half of the annual premium of 10% of salary.

Working Expenses

Reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) are a national Christian charity working in partnership with local churches to bring struggling children hope and a future. Building on the huge success of TLG Early Intervention Coaching, TLG Therapeutic Support will be a new way for TLG, with partner churches, to provide support in school for the increasing number of pupils struggling to cope due to their emotional, relational, and mental health experiences. This programme addresses the underlying issues children are facing, whilst also providing the option of direct support to their parents/carers and the school staff team.

In this role we are looking for an individual that thrives working with children and young people in a school context and is passionate about supporting pupils and their families struggling with emotional, relational, and mental health challenges. The ideal candidate will be a qualified counsellor with an aptitude for creativity whether this is music and drama, sport and outdoor recreation or other fields of kinaesthetic development. The TLG Therapeutic Counsellor will be present each week in the school, providing specialist trauma aware care for these children, whilst supporting staff and parents/carers too, so we're looking for an individual who can build and foster strong relationships.

TLG is a Christian charity and, as a team, we want to bring our faith to the work we do; as such, we are recruiting an individual with a strong and vibrant Christian faith. We would welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds to enable us to better reflect the needs of the communities we serve.

Hours: 2.5 days per week (18.75 hours, term-time only)

Closing Date: Rolling Applications

For further information check out the job description attached to this page. Applications will be reviewed on application prior to the closing date. We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date if a suitable applicant applies. The date of interviews is to be confirmed.

Are you looking for a role where your skills and passion can truly make an impact? This is an exciting time to join our friendly, busy, and supportive team as we implement our 10-year Mission Plan, shaping the future of our Diocese and the communities we serve.

Covering Hampshire, Berkshire, South Oxford, and the Channel Islands, our Diocese is home to 87 parishes and 50 schools, serving over 27,000 practising Catholics and supporting 32,000 children and their families. Our work is both challenging and deeply rewarding, offering the opportunity to be part of something truly meaningful.

We are seeking a Director of Finance to lead financial strategy to ensure long-term resilience, manage the finance team, deliver a high standard of financial governance, and provide effective support for our parishes. This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will provide expert financial guidance to the Bishop, Trustees, and diocesan leaders. You will oversee financial governance, treasury and investment management, risk assessment, and IT strategy, ensuring financial prudence while supporting the mission of the Church.

We are looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with experience in complex organisations and, ideally, knowledge of the charity or not for profit sector. The successful candidate will have well-developed interpersonal skills, a track record of excellent attention to detail, and the ability to explain complex financial matters to non-finance audiences. A commitment to teamwork and supporting parishes is essential.

An understanding of Catholic Church teachings and values is crucial, as you will play a key role in aligning financial decisions with pastoral priorities.

If you are inspired by the idea of working in a values-driven environment where your efforts will have a lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.

Come and be part of our mission!

Job Purpose

The Director of Finance is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, responsible for strategic financial leadership and ensuring the financial sustainability of the Diocese. This role encompasses treasury management, investment strategy, risk management, IT oversight, and long-term financial planning. It also involves leading and developing a resilient and professional finance team.

The Director of Finance must balance financial prudence with pastoral priorities, fostering trust with clergy, lay leaders, and stakeholders while driving financial and operational efficiencies.

Key Stakeholders

Internal:

• Bishop
• Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Diocesan Trustees and Committees (Finance, Audit & Risk Committee and Investment  Committee)
• Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
• Vicariate Leaders
• Parish Priests, Employees & Finance Committees
• Diocesan Finance Team

External:

• Parishioners & Donors
• Investment Advisors & Fund Managers
• Banks & Financial Institutions
• External Auditors
• Regulatory Bodies (UK Charity Commission, Guernsey Registry, Jersey Charity Commission, HMRC)
• Diocesan Schools Office & School/Academy Leaders
• Legal Advisors
• Suppliers & Contractors

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Develop and implement a financial strategy aligned with the Diocese’s mission and long-term objectives.
• Provide financial analysis, forecasting, and risk management to support strategic decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with Canon Law, UK financial regulations, and charity law across all jurisdictions.
• Advise the Bishop, COO, Trustees, and key leaders on all aspects of financial management.
• Attend senior board and committee meetings presenting clear and insightful financial reports.

Treasury & Investment Management

• Oversee treasury operations, ensuring effective cash flow management and financial sustainability.
• Lead on investment strategy, working with the Investment Committee and external advisors to maximise ethical and responsible investment returns.
• Regularly review Restricted and Designated Funds to ensure compliance with Diocesan policies and procedures for such funds.

Leadership of the Finance Team

• Provide strong leadership, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and mentor finance staff, ensuring they have the skills and support needed to succeed.
• Ensure the efficient operation of financial systems, budgeting, reporting, and internal controls.
• Promote collaboration across diocesan departments, ensuring effective financial stewardship at all levels.

Financial Oversight, Risk Management & Investigations

• Oversee fraud risk management, implementing robust controls to identify, prevent, and address financial irregularities, particularly in parish accounts.
• Develop and maintain a Financial Risk Register, identifying and mitigating key risks across the Diocese, including fraud, liquidity, compliance, and operational risks.
• Regularly review and update the Risk Register, ensuring risks are assessed, mitigated, and reported to senior leadership and trustees.
• Establish and implement risk management strategies, embedding a culture of financial accountability across the Diocese.
• Provide audit support and financial guidance to parishes, ensuring adherence to best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the development of annual budgets, ensuring alignment with diocesan strategy and long-term financial sustainability.
• Develop and maintain long-term financial forecasts, assessing future income, expenditure, and funding requirements.
• Lead and manage complex financial investigations, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and compliance.

Financial Planning & Parish Support

• Provide strategic financial support to parishes, schools, and diocesan agencies, helping them develop long-term sustainability plans.
• Offer guidance on budgeting, financial controls, and fundraising strategies.
• Develop and implement financial training for clergy and parish finance teams to improve financial literacy and compliance.
• Operational & IT Leadership
• Lead the IT strategy, ensuring digital transformation aligns with financial and operational objectives.
• Work with IT providers to ensure cybersecurity, data protection, and technology governance.
• Embed and oversee financial systems and processes, driving efficiency through modern financial software and automation.

 Payroll

• Lead the payroll function working closely with the HR manager to deliver a reliable and accurate service for employees. This will include the effective use of the designated payroll IT system.

Governance, Reporting & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with accounting standards, charity law, and internal policies across all jurisdictions.
• Delivery of the Financial Annual Report and Accounts to agreed timescales.
• Develop and update key policies and procedures to ensure financial governance and accountability.
• Work closely with Trustees, external auditors, and regulatory bodies to maintain transparency and good governance.
• Implement robust internal financial controls to safeguard diocesan assets and mitigate risks.
• Develop a standard suite of financial reports to enable informed strategic and operational decision-making for the Board of Trustees and senior leaders.
• Timely production of monthly management accounts and cashflow analysis

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Bishop, clergy, Trustees, and Senior Leadership Team.
• Communicate complex financial information clearly and persuasively to both finance professionals and non-experts.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring financial decisions support the Diocese’s mission.

Other Duties

• Undertake any other reasonable duties required by line manager.

Director of Finance - Person Specification

Competence, Expertise and Knowledge:

Essential

• Degree-level education (or equivalent professional qualification/experience).
• A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Extensive financial leadership experience, ideally within charities, faith-based organisations, or complex institutions.
• Proven expertise in treasury and investment management, with experience in ethical investment strategies.
• Strong IT acumen, with experience in financial systems, digital transformation, and IT governance.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage clergy, Trustees, and external stakeholders effectively.
• Confident public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to deliver complex financial information in an engaging and accessible manner.
• Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality financial reports and strategic documents.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the teachings, values, and mission of the Catholic Church.
• Strategic thinker, with the ability to balance financial discipline with pastoral priorities.
• A full, clean UK driving licence, with the ability to travel across the Diocese, including the Channel Islands.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Canon Law, charity governance, and ecclesiastical structures.
• Experience working in a faith-based or mission-driven organisation.

Additional information

This role will be working 37.5 hours per week, offering a competitive salary of £80,000 - £85,000 per annum.

Based at St. Edmund House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth, PO1 3QA, with regular travel across the Diocese to parishes and diocesan meetings, including the Channel Islands which may require overnight stays. Please note, for this role a full driving licence and access to a vehicle will be required.

Employee Benefits include:

25 days holiday plus bank holidays.

Life Assurance and Employee Wellbeing.

Contributory pension scheme with Scottish Widows.

Free Parking is available onsite.

Interview Details

The closing date for applications is Thursday 24th April 2025, at 5.00pm.

First stage interviews via Teams will take place on Tuesday 6th May 2025 and second stage in person interviews will take place on Thursday 15th May 2025.​

Appointment

Any offer of employment to work at the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is conditional upon receipt of two satisfactory employment references, provision of relevant certification of qualifications held, and completion of pre-employment checks.

You must have a valid UK Right to Work, as the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth does not offer UK Visa Sponsorship.

This position is subject to the completion of an initial probationary period of six months.

We are seeking someone to join our team as Librarian. Trinity College Bristol is a vibrant community of around 60 undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, many training for ordination in the Church of England. The College is made up of both residential and context-based learners, both full- and part-time, as well as a lively cohort of a further 60 postgraduate research students.

In this part-time role you would be responsible for organising and maintaining the library at Trinity College and for ensuring it is suitably equipped and resourced to support the academic work of the college. The role involves assisting library users in induction and access to the library collection. The library consists of about 55,000 volumes, plus an extensive digital collection.

Trinity is a fantastic place to work. Our offices are in lovely buildings on a beautiful site close to the centre of Bristol and the students and staff are wonderful to work with. There are great perks attached to the role, including free parking and lunch. Above all, it is an immense privilege to serve an inspiring cause, helping church leaders of the future to grow in knowledge, skills and character.

London School of Theology

London School of Theology (LST) has been providing academic evangelical theological education since 1943. It is committed to serving the Church globally and training Christian disciples who transform wider society through their life and witness. We have a bold vision of Forming Disciples, Resourcing Churches, Impacting Society.

Overview of the role

The responsibilities of the post-holder are designed and divided across Registry and Programmes-related activities. 

The post-holder will provide efficient and effective administration of all matters relating to the teaching and learning activities of the MA programmes ensuring effective procedures are documented and adopted for dealing with enquiries, enrolment, induction, module selections, student queries, assessments, progression, student support, committees and events. 

The role offers plenty of variety working as part of a friendly and supportive Registry team.

A full and comprehensive job description, person specification and application details for the role can be found on our website.

Application Details

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications will be considered upon submission.

Interested applicants are welcome to have a conversation with the Director of Finance and Administration or HR Manager prior to applying.

London School of Theology is a Christian college and, as such, it is a requirement of the Person Specification that the postholder must be in sympathy with the Christian ethos, aims and objectives of the School.

All candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

This is an exciting new role which has been developed to support the work of Area 5 of the Pastoral Plan. The post-holder will work closely with colleagues from the parishes, schools and archdiocesan lay staff, in developing routes for the active participation and support of young people in the life of the church and in the service of its communities. To bring vision, energy and experience to develop youth ministry, accompanying young people into a living experience of the Church community.

The key initial priorities of this role are to:

·Design and develop various projects and initiatives to enable young people to build positive relationships with the church ·Develop a mechanism for young people to engage in discussions about the future of the church

·Actively develop an archdiocesan strategy for young people

The ideal candidate will have a background working directly with young people (aged 10-19) and a good knowledge of the catholic faith.

School Improvement Officer

We have a great opportunity for two experienced senior leaders to help deliver educational excellence and effectiveness across the 155 Church of England schools and academies.

Position: School Effectiveness Officer

Location: East Sussex/Hybrid

Salary: £55,000-£58,000 pro rata

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week or part-time, 30 hours per week (flexible working)

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Monday 21st April 2025

Interview Date: Interviews will be held in Hove on Tuesday 29th April 2025

About the Role

As a result of the retirement of two members of the Education team there is a full time and a part time role (0.8) available from September.  We are seeking candidates who can support the development of school improvement and Christian distinctiveness provision across Church of England schools and academies.

The vision for Education is to be “Deeply Christian, serving the common good.”  Based at Church House in Hove, the organisation seeks to live out its vision to “Know, love and follow Jesus”.

The principal duties include:

• Providing advice and support to school leaders on strategies for improvement and raising standards in church schools
• Developing effective processes for school improvement based on monitoring, review and evaluation principles. 
• Supporting church schools and academies in their preparation for and response to Ofsted and SIAMS inspections.
• Advising school leaders on the development of the distinctive Christian character and the promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in the life of their schools and academies.

As an employer, and as a Church House team, the mutual values at work are to be Respectful, Professional, Flexible and Supportive.

About You

The ideal candidate will:

• Be an experienced Headteacher with experience of delivering school improvement and educational excellence.
• Have the ability to build strong professional relationships, have challenging conversations and hold senior school leaders to account with sensitivity and understanding.
• Show evidence of good leadership and organisational skills and have the ability to prioritise tasks, risks and opportunities.
• Be a Christian and committed to the role that church schools play in the formal education and raising of standards.

For full details of the job please see the job description and person specification when you click to apply.

Please note this is post to which a Genuine Occupational Requirement under paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act applies, the requirement being that the post holder is a practising Christian.

About the Organisation

The vision of the Diocese is to help people within the Diocese to know, love and follow Jesus. Based in Hove and serving the people of the Sussex across more than 360 parishes and 155 church schools and the wider community, this is a great role for someone who supports the ethos, aims and objectives of the Diocese and the Church of England.

Benefits include:

• The opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home for part of the week. 
• 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and 2 privilege days per year (pro rata for part-time roles)
• Flexi-time, free parking, the ride to work scheme
• Membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a 15.1% employer contribution.

Chichester DBF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment and to comply with the relevant safeguarding policy. Our full safeguarding policy can be found here

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and the post will involve travelling around the Diocese, some evening work and occasional work at weekends. 

Please note this is post to which a Genuine Occupational Requirement under paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act applies, the requirement being that the post holder is a practising Christian.

Other roles you may have experience of could include Improvement Officer, Effectiveness Officer, School Improvement Officer, School Effectiveness Officer, School Effectiveness and Improvement, School Effectiveness and Improvement Officer, Head Teacher, Teacher, Deputy Head, Head of Year, School, Education, Education Improvement Officer. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Director of Secretariat

This is a role in which you can make a major difference to the smooth running of the diocese, which serves the whole of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. 

This is a full time role offering hybrid working. 

Position: Director of Secretariat

Location: Kidlington, Oxford/hybrid

Hours: Full-time 

Salary: Approximately £75,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Start date: On or around 1 September 2025

Closing Date: Sunday 27 April 2025 at midnight. Interviews will take place on Monday, 12 May 2025, with a prior online meeting with the Diocesan Secretary, ideally on Friday 9 May 2025, and a confirmatory meeting for the recommended candidate with the Bishop of Oxford.

The Role

In leading a department within Church House, which largely comprises of the church buildings team and governance functions, you will be blessed with a highly skilled group of people.  You will have the opportunity to lead and guide them and to make a significant contribution to the life of the diocese through being part of the Bishop’s senior team and heads of department group, and deputising as required for the Diocesan Secretary.

The main areas of work are:

• Organisational leadership

• External grant-funding

• Oversight of our highly regarded Development Fund

• Governance and compliance, including elections, data protection, and risk

About You

You will have well-honed skills in leadership and governance, and ideally also project management.  You will have very strong communication and interpersonal skills, with high attention to detail, and will have operated at a senior level in a complex organisation.  You will be self-motivated and have a real interest in the very diverse work of the diocese as it seeks to support over 800 church communities and to carry out strategic work as determined through our governance structures.

There is a genuine occupational requirement that the appointee must be a communicant member of the Church of England or of a church in full communion with it, in accordance with schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010. 

Benefits and rewards include:

• 25 days holiday per annum, rising each year by one day to a maximum of 30 days

• In addition to the statutory UK public holidays, the Diocese offers three privilege days

• Free parking and subsidised on-site café

• Generous employer pension contribution of 12.5%, which includes death in service benefit (5% Employee Contribution)

• Electric car and cycle-to-work salary sacrifice schemes

• Access to wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme

• Enhanced family-friendly policies and a generous sick pay provision

• Access to low-interest financial services from Churches Mutual Credit Union, including loans

• An attractive modern working environment

The Organisation

The Diocese is the administrative area of the Church, broadly speaking, covers the three counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. There are 815 churches in the Diocese – more than any other diocese in the Church of England. So, in many ways the best description is that it is the family of the 55,000 or so regular worshippers in these churches.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. If you do not hear from us, your application has not been successful.

We want our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion for all to be reflected in the composition of staff. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from communities currently underrepresented in the diocese.

You may also have experience in areas such as Secretariat, Director, Director of Secretariat, Governance, Project Management, Project Manager, Faith, Grants, Compliance, Operations, Operations Director. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

We are looking for a dynamic new Hall Manager to be responsible for the successful management, maintenance and daily running of our parish centre: St Mary Abbots Centre, Vicarage Gate, London, W8 4HN. This role would be ideal for someone with events experience as there is a lot of diary management: booking and building relationships with theatre companies, weekly children’s groups, local community organisations, school parents, the occasional reception for a wedding or baptism and more!

The centre consists of a permanent ballet school and car park, a theatre, long room, 2 kitchens, parish offices, several cloakrooms and a garden at the back, which all need to be managed and maintained.  The income from the hall supports the work and mission of St Mary Abbots, a large and lively church in Kensington, with close links to parish school and community. We are looking for a candidate to maintain the commercial success of the rental spaces while also enabling church events and community and charity groups at the centre.

The ideal candidate would be both self-motivated and a team player, organised, willing to work flexible hours, with good communication and diary management skills, physically fit and proactive. They should have an appreciation and understanding of the Church of England and be willing to support and develop the work carried out by St Mary Abbots.

The Diocese of Winchester and the Diocese of Portsmouth are partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell to recruit a Finance Officer on a permanent, full-time basis. The Diocese of Winchester (WDBF) and the Diocese of Portsmouth (PDBF) support the Ministry in, and the mission of, Church of England parishes in Winchester and Portsmouth and surrounding areas.

Reporting into the Heads of Finance for both dioceses, you will play a key role in operational cashflow management, financial reconciliations, and process improvement. Working across two charities within each diocese, as well as supporting additional connected organisations, this role offers a unique opportunity to enhance financial operations within a complex and impactful environment.

In this Finance Officer role, you will:

• Prepare and review monthly and quarterly balance sheet reconciliations for all diocesan entities, ensuring transactions are accurate and properly recorded.
• Complete quarterly investment reconciliations, updating the investment register and processing revaluations as needed.
• Manage the school’s ledger, overseeing payments, fund transfers, and project accounting reconciliations.
• Collect the Common Mission Fund via direct debit, reconcile payments weekly, report figures to the National Church, and support monthly reporting.
• Assist with year-end preparations, ensuring timely and accurate statutory accounts and audit support for all entities.
• Monitor daily cash flow across diocesan entities, transferring funds as needed and overseeing Barclaycard and NatWest credit card accounts.
• Act as system administrator for accounting and banking platforms, supporting users, resolving queries, and assisting the finance team.

About the Diocese of Winchester:

Our Diocese is not only the people, churches and schools that make it up, but an organisation that supports those communities across our 255 parishes and over 20,000 regular worshippers. We grow authentic disciples, we re-imagine the Church, we are agents of social transformation, and we belong together in Christ, practicing sacrificial living and good stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us.

About the Diocese of Portsmouth:

Our diocese is made up of the 11,000 or so worshippers in the 133 Church of England parishes across south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Our vision in this diocese is to be a Church with Jesus Christ at the heart of everything we do, a Church in which we seek God’s Kingdom, and where all are enabled to experience a life-transforming encounter with Jesus Christ.

Person Specification:

• AAT qualification or equivalent finance experience.
• Proven expertise in cashflow management and reconciliations.
• Experience in the charity sector or handling diverse income streams.
• Skilled in financial systems, with a track record of process improvements.
• Clear and confident communicator across all stakeholder levels.
• Proactive problem-solver with resilience under financial pressure.
• Excellent time management, balancing multiple priorities effectively.
• A Respectful approach to the work of the Church and the Dioceses of Winchester and Portsmouth

This opportunity will be based between the Diocese of Winchester and Diocese of Portsmouth’s offices and offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement along with fantastic employee benefits.

Please note: Applicants do not need to practice the Christian faith to be considered.

Applications will be under constant review before the closing date so please submit your application to our exclusive agent Robertson Bell. Apply now to be considered!

Are you a highly motivated and dedicated Fundraising professional looking for a role where your skills can make a real difference? The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is seeking a Fundraising Manager. This is an exciting time to join our friendly, busy, and supportive team as we implement our 10-year Mission Plan, shaping the future of our Diocese and the communities we serve.

Covering Hampshire, Berkshire, South Oxford, and the Channel Islands, our Diocese is home to 87 parishes and 50 schools, serving over 27,000 practising Catholics and supporting 32,000 children and their families. Our work is both challenging and deeply rewarding, offering the opportunity to be part of something truly meaningful.

The Fundraising Manager is responsible for developing and implementing effective fundraising strategies to support the Diocese’s mission. This includes stewarding major campaigns, securing grant funding, promoting digital and online giving, implementing a CRM system, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and fostering local fundraising initiatives in parishes.

This role will support the financial sustainability of the Diocese, enabling parishes and the wider faith community to serve their people effectively, while ensuring alignment with Catholic teaching and values.

The postholder will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and senior leadership team to support the Diocesan 10-year Mission Plan, ‘You Will Be My Witnesses.’

This role is based at St. Edmund House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth, PO1 3QA. Offering a competitive salary of £40,000 - £48,000 depending on experience, working 37.5 hours per week. Employee benefits include 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, life assurance and employee wellbeing, contributory pension scheme, free onsite parking.

If you are inspired by the idea of working in a values-driven environment where your efforts will have a lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.

Come and be part of our mission!

Role Purpose

The Fundraising Manager is responsible for developing and implementing effective fundraising strategies to support the Diocese’s mission. This includes stewarding major campaigns, securing grant funding, promoting digital and online giving, implementing a CRM system, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and fostering local fundraising initiatives in parishes.

This role will support the financial sustainability of the Diocese, enabling parishes and the wider faith community to serve their people effectively, while ensuring alignment with Catholic teaching and values.

The postholder will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and senior leadership team to support the Diocesan 10-year Mission Plan, “You Will Be My Witnesses.”

Key Responsibilities:

1. Fundraising Strategy and Campaigns

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to meet agreed financial targets.
• Oversee and manage significant fundraising campaigns, ensuring their effective delivery and long-term sustainability.
• Work closely with the Finance Department to align fundraising efforts with financial objectives, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Identify and secure grant funding opportunities, including the preparation of high-quality applications and maintaining relationships with funders.
• Support parishes in designing and delivering local stewardship campaigns, ensuring consistency in messaging and impact.
• Procure and implement an appropriate CRM system, working with key stakeholders to ensure effective donor management and fundraising efficiency.

2. Digital and Online Giving

• Support parishes in growing regular and ad hoc online donations by:
• Developing and promoting digital giving solutions across parishes, including training and implementation support.
• Expanding online giving platforms to improve accessibility and donor engagement.

3. Donor Relationships and Stewardship

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key donors, including major benefactors, grant funders, and parish-level supporters.
• Implement donor stewardship strategies to retain and grow the donor base through regular communication, engagement opportunities, and recognition initiatives.
• Foster a culture of stewardship across the Diocese communicating the difference it makes.
• Provide regular updates and high-quality reports, driven by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), on fundraising performance and initiatives.
• Report on fundraising outcomes to senior management and the Board of Trustees, ensuring alignment with the Diocese’s mission and strategic priorities.

4. Parish Support and Capacity Building

• Equip parishes with tools, training, guidance, and hands-on support to run successful local fundraising initiatives.
• Facilitate workshops and support sessions for parish fundraising committees, helping them develop sustainable funding strategies.
• Support the promotion and coordination of Second Collections across the Diocese for key causes, ensuring that parishes are well-equipped with:
• Clear guidance on collection dates and processes.
• Good-quality promotional materials (posters, leaflets, digital assets) to help communicate the impact of these collections.
• Regular updates on fundraising results to encourage participation and engagement.

5. Compliance, Policy Development, and Governance

• Develop and implement fundraising policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.
• Stay up to date with fundraising laws and best practices, ensuring all activities meet Charity Commission, GDPR, and financial regulations.
• Ensure that data protection regulations are upheld in all fundraising activities, particularly regarding donor records and CRM management.

6. Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with the Communications Manager to ensure that fundraising messages align with Diocesan values and the Mission Plan.
• Share compelling impact stories to inspire and encourage giving across the Diocese.

7. Meeting Attendance and Reporting

• Attend meetings of the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee, providing updates on fundraising activities and seeking necessary approvals.
• Participate in parish meetings across the Diocese as required, offering fundraising guidance and support.
• Maintain a professional approach to both in-person and online meetings.

8. Ad Hoc Duties

• Carry out additional duties as requested by the line manager, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to emerging needs.

Fundraising Manager - Person Specification

Competence, Expertise and Knowledge:

Essential

• Degree level education
• Proven track record of delivering significant fundraising results in the charity sector, with demonstrable experience of achieving and exceeding financial targets.
• Experience and aptitude for detailed project planning and record keeping.
• Strong commitment to the mission and values of the Catholic Church.
• Experience in grant writing and securing substantial funding.
• Numerate, with outstanding writing and presentation skills.
• Strong influencing skills, capable of working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, hardworking, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Demonstrable experience in building and sustaining relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Competent in use of Microsoft office and CRM platforms.

Desirable

• Formal degree level qualification relevant to sector
• Familiarity with digital giving platforms and tools.
• Experience in training and capacity-building initiatives.
• Membership of relevant professional bodies (e.g., Chartered Institute of Fundraising).

How to Apply

Please send a comprehensive and up to date Curriculum Vitae with a covering letter setting out your suitability for the role and motivation in applying (no more than 2 sides A4).

The Diocese of Portsmouth is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all who support the ethos and values of the Catholic Church.

Closing date is Saturday 3rd May 2025, at 6.00 pm.

Interview Details

You will be notified shortly after the closing date, should we wish to progress your application and invite you to an interview.

Appointment

Any offer of employment to work at the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is conditional upon receipt of two satisfactory employment references, provision of relevant certification of qualifications held, and completion of pre-employment checks.

You must have a valid UK Right to Work, as the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth does not offer UK Visa Sponsorship.

This position is subject to the completion of an initial probationary period of six months.

Governance Officer

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to work for an organisation that makes a difference? An organisation that nurtures its staff, encourages development and rewards staff for their hard work. If the answer is yes, then this is the role for you! 

Position: Governance Officer

Location: Oxford/hybrid

Hours: Part-time 30 hours per week

Salary: £28,713.20 to £30,921.84 per annum (FTE £35,412.95 to £38,136.93)

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Monday 21st April 2025 at midnight. Interviews will take place in Oxford on Wednesday 30th April 2025

The Role

We are looking for a proactive, committed and skilled Governance Officer to join the team.

In this role you will provide a comprehensive, high quality secretariat service, particularly to the Bishop’s Council, which acts as the Board of Directors of the Diocesan Board of Finance (income £30M, assets £520m, over 100 staff) and oversees a wide range of activity.

The Diocese is one of the largest in the Church of England covering the three counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire with a thousand parishes, church schools and chaplaincies.  It is active in environmental action, addressing poverty and inequality, supporting children and youth work and much, much more.

You will ensure that meetings are scheduled and organised, agendas created, minutes recorded, and action lists monitored; elections organised and appointments made; governance advice given; relevant policies are in place and statutory registers are maintained.  You will have the opportunity to be in the room when most of the organisation’s key decisions are taken. You will be required to work occasional evenings (1 each in May and December) and Saturdays (1 each in March, June and November), with time off in lieu.

About You

You do not need to be a practising Christian or have a faith to work here - around 50% of our staff are not practising Christians but are comfortable with the Christian ethos that underpins this work. However, all staff do have a desire to make a difference.

To be successful in this role you will be an initiative-taker with strong administrative, governance support and minute-taking experience and ideally have previously worked with senior stakeholders. You will have strong verbal and written communication skills, accuracy, and diligence, especially in written work and be highly organised. You will also be flexible and adaptable to changing work demands.

Benefits and rewards include:

• 25 days holiday per annum, pro rata, rising each year by one day to a maximum of 30 days

• In addition to the statutory UK public holidays, the Diocese offers three privilege days

• Hybrid working

• Free parking and subsidised on-site café

• Generous employer pension contribution of 12.5% which includes death in service benefit (5% Employee Contribution)

• Electric car and cycle-to-work salary sacrifice schemes

• Access to wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme

• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including flexible working arrangements and a generous sick pay provision

• Access to low-interest financial services from Churches Mutual Credit Union including loans

• An attractive modern working environment

The Organisation

The Diocese is the administrative area of the Church, broadly speaking, covers the three counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. There are 815 churches in the Diocese – more than any other diocese in the Church of England. So, in many ways the best description is that it is the family of the 55,000 or so regular worshippers in these churches.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. If you do not hear from us, your application has not been successful.

We want our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion for all to be reflected in the composition of staff. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from communities currently underrepresented in the diocese.

You may also have experience in areas such as Governance Officer, Governance Administrator, Governance Coordinator, Governance Support, Governance Assistant, Secretary, PA, EA, Operations Officer, Operations Assistant, Operations Governance. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

We are looking for a number of part-time (up to 14 hours per week) seasonal Visitor Experience Assistants to work with our existing expert groups of volunteer welcomers, guides and shop assistants during peak holiday periods.

This role will involve welcoming people in and inviting them to explore our glorious Cathedral to learn more about the building and its purpose at the same time as developing new skills.

As part of your induction successful candidates will attend a Training Day with a course developed and delivered by our Visitor Experience Manager and an accredited training company covering Visitor Experience, customer service fundraising techniques, safety and safeguarding.

This role comes at an exciting time for the Cathedral. In 2024 we were awarded £118,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to create a new dynamic space, combining our shop and welcome area with a new heritage exhibition space.

Primary Objectives 

• Greet and welcome visitors to Portsmouth Cathedral, helping to provide an experience above their expectations.  

• Implement a refreshed emphasis on articulating ‘the ask’ for donations and be part of a new group testing innovative donation methods and solutions. 

• Support the existing volunteer welcomers and guides to manage increased visitor numbers during peak periods of the year. 

• Visitor Experience 

Safeguarding. The Cathedral takes the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously, and practices Safer Recruitment for all roles (both paid and voluntary), enhanced DBS for specific roles, and face-to-face or online training as required.

Portsmouth Cathedral is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a member of Inclusive Church.

Salary will be paid at the National Minimum Wage appropriate to age.

Administrator

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to work for an organisation that makes a difference? An organisation that nurtures its staff encourages development and rewards staff for their hard work. If the answer is yes, we have an incredible opportunity for you! 

Position: Administrator - Strategic Development Fund Resourcing Hubs and Discipleship

Location: Kidlington, Oxford/hybrid

Hours: Part-time 22.5 hours per week (Split over 3-4 days – exact pattern to be agreed with line manager)

Salary: £17,270.00 actual per annum (£28,399.56 to £30,584.23 FTE)

Contract: Fixed Term to 30 September 2027

Closing Date: Sunday 27 April 2025. 

Interview Date: Tuesday 6 May 2025, Kidlington, Oxford

The Role

You do not need to be a practising Christian or have a faith to work with here - around 50% of staff are not practising Christians, but are comfortable with the Christian ethos that underpins our work. However, all staff do have a desire to make a difference.

We are seeking an efficient and detail-orientated individual to join a dynamic organisation and support the work of the Programme Manager for SDF Resourcing Hubs (15 hours) and the Head of Discipleship and Social Justice (7.5 hours).

In this important role and you will be contributing to the success of the organisations work.  Your responsibilities will include providing confidential and proficient administrative support, through effective diary management, managing correspondence, scheduling and supporting meetings, handling emails, processing invoices and expenses, taking minutes, and facilitating events. 

About You

You will bring strong administrative experience, along with a proven track record of accuracy and attention to detail. Your excellent organisational skills will enable you to self-motivate, plan, and prioritise tasks effectively to meet deadlines and perform under pressure. Proficiency in IT, particularly Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams, will be crucial for success in this role. 

Your strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently will enable you to flourish within this small team. As well as having excellent administrative and diary management skills, you must be able to offer proactive research, anticipation of issues, and influence for positive outcomes.

We invite motivated, detail-oriented administrators with a positive attitude, flexible work style, and eagerness to learn to apply for this exciting opportunity. This role offers the chance to contribute to a dynamic team within an organisation that values a safe and spiritually enriching environment. Hybrid working is available alongside designated office days within Church House Oxford. 

Benefits and rewards include:

• 25 days holiday per annum, pro rata, rising each year by one day to a maximum of 30 days

• In addition to the statutory UK public holidays, the Diocese offers three privilege days

• Hybrid working

• Free parking and subsidised on-site café

• Generous employer pension contribution of 12.5% which includes death in service benefit (5% Employee Salary Sacrifice Contribution)

• Electric car and cycle-to-work salary sacrifice schemes

• Access to wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme

• Enhanced family-friendly policies and a generous sick pay provision

• Access to low-interest financial services from Churches Mutual Credit Union including loans

• An attractive modern working environment

The Organisation

The Diocese is the administrative area of the Church, broadly speaking, covers the three counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. There are 815 churches in the Diocese – more than any other diocese in the Church of England. So, in many ways the best description is that it is the family of the 55,000 or so regular worshippers in these churches.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. If you do not hear from us, your application has not been successful.

We want our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion for all to be reflected in the composition of staff. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from communities currently underrepresented in the diocese.

You may also have experience in areas such as Admin, Administrator, Administration, Admin Assistant, Support Administrator, Administration Assistant, Admin Support, Business Administrator, Administration Support. 

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.