Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Bishop’s Council with meeting organisation, minute-taking, and governance advice.
- Company: Join a dynamic Diocese making a real impact across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25+ days holiday, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of key decisions while contributing to social causes like environmental action and youth support.
- Qualifications: Strong admin skills and experience with senior stakeholders are essential; no faith required.
- Other info: Flexible hours and a modern work environment await you!
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.
Governance Officer employer: Diocese of Oxford
Contact Detail:
Diocese of Oxford Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Governance Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the governance structure of the Diocese and its key stakeholders. Understanding how the Bishop's Council operates and the specific roles within it will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the Diocese, especially those in governance roles. They can provide valuable insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with minute-taking and administrative support in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed meetings and supported senior stakeholders in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your commitment to making a difference by researching the Diocese's initiatives in environmental action and social justice. Being able to articulate how your values align with their mission can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Governance Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in governance support, administrative roles, and any previous work with senior stakeholders. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in minute-taking and organisation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for making a difference and your understanding of the organisation's ethos. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Governance Officer role and express your enthusiasm for contributing to their mission.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your strong verbal and written communication skills, accuracy, and attention to detail. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed meetings, created agendas, and maintained records in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter to eliminate any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your diligence and professionalism, which are crucial for the Governance Officer position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Diocese of Oxford
✨Understand the Organisation's Mission
Before your interview, take some time to research the Diocese and its mission. Understanding their focus on environmental action, poverty, and youth work will help you align your answers with their values and demonstrate your commitment to making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Governance Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in governance support and minute-taking. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed meetings, created agendas, or provided governance advice, as these are key responsibilities of the role.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since the role requires strong verbal and written communication skills, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might be asked to summarise complex information, so being concise and accurate in your responses will be crucial.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and adaptability. Think of situations where you've had to manage changing demands or work with senior stakeholders, and be ready to explain how you handled those challenges.
