At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate pastoral reorganisation work for the Diocese, managing complex casework.
- Company: Join a supportive diocese committed to effective ministry and community impact.
- Benefits: Generous pension contributions, flexible working, and up to 30 days holiday.
- Other info: Open to diverse backgrounds; no need to be a practising Christian.
- Why this job: Play a vital role in shaping church structures and supporting meaningful ministry.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and experience with complex legislation and casework.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Do you feel you could help shape how parishes and benefices are structured to support ministry? Are you someone who thrives on complex casework, careful process, and working to agreed frameworks? If you want to play a central role in guiding the diocese through pastoral reorganisations, ensuring that the structures remain effective, sustainable, and responsive to changing contexts… then this is the role for you!
Position: Pastoral Secretary
Location: Oxford/Hybrid
Hours: Part‑time, 22.2 hours per week (0.6 FTE)
Contract: Permanent
The Role: As Pastoral Secretary you will lead and coordinate the Diocese’s pastoral reorganisation work, ensuring statutory processes under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 are delivered accurately, consistently and sensitively. You will manage complex pastoral casework, advise on structural change across parishes and benefices, and support the development of governance models that enable the Church to respond effectively to changing contexts. The role includes acting as Executive Secretary to the four Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Committees (AMPCs), working closely with Archdeacons and committee Chairs to ensure that statutory processes are properly followed and decisions are implemented. You will also line‑manage the Assistant Pastoral Secretary, ensuring a robust and consistent approach to pastoral work across the diocese. This role involves close collaboration with senior clergy, the Diocesan Registry, the Church Commissioners and diocesan colleagues.
About You: We are looking for a highly organised and analytical professional who is confident working with complex legislation, sensitive pastoral situations and senior stakeholders. Bring experience of managing detailed casework, strong written and verbal communication skills, and a high level of accuracy and judgement. Be comfortable advising Archdeacons, clergy and parishes, and able to balance legal, pastoral and missional considerations in your work. Have the confidence and leadership ability to oversee another member of staff, contribute to training and guidance, and support colleagues across the diocese in understanding pastoral reorganisation processes. You may come from an ecclesiastical, legal, public sector, charity or governance background, with experience of working within statutory or regulatory frameworks and managing complex, sensitive casework involving multiple stakeholders. You do not need to be a practising Christian or have a faith to work with us. Around half of our staff are not practising Christians but are comfortable with the Christian ethos that underpins our work. What matters is a desire to support the mission and ministry of the Church and to work collaboratively and professionally.
Benefits and Rewards:
- Generous employer pension contribution of 12.5% into the auto‑enrolment pension scheme, including a death‑in‑service benefit (5% employee contribution)
- Re‑accreditation as a Living Wage employer
- Annual holiday entitlement starting at 25 days, excluding public holidays, rising each year by one day to a maximum of 30 days, pro‑rata for part‑time employees
- In addition to the statutory UK public holidays, the Diocese offers three privilege days to all employees – Maundy Thursday, Ascension Day and Christmas Eve (or the closest working day, if it falls on a weekend)
- Flexible working patterns with the ability to do some work from home
- Sabbatical leave, after a qualifying period of service
- Access to wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced family‑friendly policies and generous occupational sick pay provision
- Free parking and subsidised on‑site café and electric car and cycle‑to‑work salary sacrifice schemes
- EV charging points on site and electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme with Octopus Electric Dreams
- Cycle to Work scheme with Green Commute Initiative
- Contributions towards eye examinations and prescriptive lenses
- Access to low‑interest rate financial services from Churches Mutual Credit Union
The successful candidate must have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom. We are particularly keen to receive applications from UK minority ethnic, global majority heritage and disabled candidates, who are currently underrepresented. Our client is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within the church community. They follow and are committed to their Safeguarding Policies and the relevant statutory legislation and guidance, 'Working together' to ensure the welfare of children and young people is paramount.
Pastoral Secretary in Oxford employer: Carer Support Wiltshire
As a Pastoral Secretary with our diocese in Oxford, you will join a supportive and collaborative work culture that values your expertise in managing complex casework and guiding pastoral reorganisations. We offer generous benefits including a 12.5% employer pension contribution, flexible working patterns, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, ensuring you have the resources and support needed for professional growth and a fulfilling career. With a focus on inclusivity and a Christian ethos, we welcome diverse backgrounds and perspectives, making this an excellent opportunity for meaningful employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Pastoral Secretary in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the diocese or church governance. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities you might not find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the diocese's recent pastoral changes and challenges. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your casework scenarios! Think about how you’d handle complex situations and be ready to discuss them. We want to see your analytical skills in action!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Pastoral Secretary in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Pastoral Secretary. We want to see how you can help shape parishes and benefices, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant experience!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves advising senior clergy and managing complex casework, it’s crucial to demonstrate your strong written communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect your ability to communicate effectively.
Highlight Your Organisational Skills:As a highly organised professional, make sure to emphasise your ability to manage detailed casework and navigate complex legislation. We’re looking for someone who thrives on careful processes, so share examples that showcase your organisational prowess!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carer Support Wiltshire
✨Know Your Legislation
Familiarise yourself with the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011. Understanding the statutory processes will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Casework Skills
Prepare examples of complex casework you've managed in the past. Be ready to discuss how you navigated sensitive situations and worked with multiple stakeholders, as this is crucial for the Pastoral Secretary role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, so consider preparing a few key points about your experience that highlight your ability to advise senior clergy and manage governance models.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Ability
Think about instances where you've led a team or mentored others. Be prepared to discuss your approach to line-managing the Assistant Pastoral Secretary and how you would contribute to training and guidance within the diocese.
