Chief Executive Officer

The Administrators wish to appoint a Secretary and Chief Executive Officer to assist them in the management of the Fund’s affairs and the strategic development and operational oversight of its two Cemeteries.

This is a part-time position (three days per week, with flexible hours to be agreed) offering a salary of £30,000 - £36,000 per annum (£50,000-£60,000 pro rata). The role is well-suited to remote working, with regular visits to the cemeteries required.

Closing Date: 28 April 2025

About the Secular Clergy Common Fund

The Fund was established around 1701 and is a charity providing grants to support sick and retired Catholic priests in the South-East of England, who are the members of the Fund. The Fund also looks after two Victorian Catholic cemeteries in London. The six Administrators of the Fund are elected by the members and act as Trustees of the charity.

Key Responsibilities

1.     To provide leadership for and line management of the Fund and its cemeteries, in line with strategies and policies developed in partnership with the Administrators.

2.     Together with the Chief Administrator, to enable the Administrators to fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the proper governance of the charity and to ensure that they receive timely advice and appropriate information on all relevant matters.

3.     To administer the grant making and membership activities of the Secular Clergy Common fund, in line with the rules of the Fund and in the light of the decisions of the Administrators.

Key Tasks

1.     Governance

·       To act as the clerk and executive officer for the Administrators of the Fund.

o   To clerk meetings of the Administrators (3 or 4 per year).

o   Liaison with Auditors, Investment Managers, Bankers, Solicitors, Health and Safety Adviser, Charity Commission, Companies House, HMRC, and others as directed or agreed with the Administrators.

o   To report significant matters in a timely manner to the Chief Administrator.

·       To assist the Administrators in review of their operational and strategic risks and the implementation and monitoring of measures arising from this.

·       To advise the Administrators on the strategic development of the charity.

·       To ensure that the charity fulfils all its legal, statutory and regulatory responsibilities

o   To periodically review the charity’s arrangements for Employment, GDPR and Health and Safety other significant areas and present recommendations to the Administrators to bring them up to date.

2.     Secular Clergy Common Fund (‘The Fund’)

·       To maintain records of members, including correspondence for admission of new members and receipt of subscriptions.

·       To liaise with the Administrators for the making of grants.

·       To make payments of grants and other dues on behalf of the Fund.

·       To receive donations and legacies on behalf of the Administrators.

·       To maintain financial records for the Fund

o   Including of investment portfolio transactions as advised by Investment Managers (HSBC Private Bank).

·       To arrange the AGM and dinner.

3.     St Mary’s & St Patrick’s Cemeteries

·       To act as line manager for the two cemeteries and work closely with the Cemetery Manager.

·       To assist the Administrators in developing a medium- to long-term strategy for the cemeteries.

·       To manage the strategic development of the cemeteries as financially sustainable ‘places of rest and hope, comfort to the living, signs of their hope for unending life’.

·       To assist the Cemetery Manager in development of action plans for the cemeteries, agree them with the Administrators and support their implementation.

·       To ensure that all policies and procedures for the cemeteries are up to date and compliant with all relevant areas of legislation and regulation, and reflective of good practice, reviewing and developing them as appropriate and agreeing key policies with the Administrators.

·       To assist with accounting and finance for the cemeteries, possibly including accounting, payments and payroll.

·       To address issues concerning the cemeteries which the Cemetery Manager has been unable to resolve.

Person Specification.

The post-holder should be able to:

Work well with key stakeholders: catholic clergy and members of the public

Support the aims ethos of the charity

Advise on strategic development

Understand, develop and implement systems for regulatory compliance

Manage employees

Confidently use IT for communication and data management (Microsoft 365)

Effectively instruct and make use of professional services (accountants, surveyors etc)

Manage basic accounting processes with Xero

A successful candidate is likely to hold a good degree or equivalent professional experience.