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- Tasks: Join us as a Governance Officer, managing meetings and providing governance support.
- Company: Be part of a dynamic Diocese impacting communities across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25+ days holiday, and generous pension contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong admin skills and experience with senior stakeholders are essential.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to diversity are key values.
The predicted salary is between 28713 - 30922 £ per year.
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!
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.
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 role it plays 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 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Governance Officer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these specific needs.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise any previous experience in governance support, minute-taking, or working with senior stakeholders. Use specific examples to demonstrate your administrative skills and ability to manage meetings effectively.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for this role, ensure your application is well-written and free of errors. Consider including a brief writing sample if relevant.
Express Your Commitment: Convey your desire to make a difference and your alignment with the organisation's values. Mention any relevant personal motivations or experiences that connect you to the mission of the Diocese.
How to prepare for a job interview at Diocese of Oxford
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Governance Officer. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the specific tasks mentioned, such as minute-taking and providing governance advice.
✨Show Your Initiative
As a proactive candidate, demonstrate your ability to take initiative. Share examples from your past experiences where you identified a problem and took steps to resolve it, especially in administrative or governance contexts.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, and be ready to showcase your writing skills, perhaps by discussing previous reports or minutes you've taken.
✨Emphasise Flexibility
The role requires adaptability to changing work demands. Prepare to discuss situations where you successfully managed unexpected changes or challenges in your work environment, highlighting your organisational skills and flexibility.
