Chief Operating Officer - Lambeth Palace in London

As Chief Operating Officer, you will support the ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury through accountability for Lambeth Palace as an office, a home, a place of worship, an historic building and gardens, and an events venue. This is a critical senior leadership role at the heart of the Archbishop of Canterbury's ministry. You will bring strategic direction, organisational leadership, and operational excellence. You will ensure that the Palace operates effectively, sustainably and safely. You will enable the Archbishop's ministry through advice, strong strategic planning and prudent financial stewardship, ensuring we live within our means, and work to promote collaboration across the other National Church Institutions.

Reporting directly to the Archbishop, you will work collaboratively with the Chief of Staff, supporting and covering for each other to ensure that the work of Lambeth Palace enables the ministries of the Archbishop, the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.

Responsibilities

• Setting the strategic direction and a robust business plan for the work of the operational teams, ensuring that their work is aligned with the Archbishop's priorities and effectively mitigates risk;
• Leading an inclusive, values‑led culture, providing visible leadership through periods of organisational change;
• Overseeing, developing and managing Key Performance Indicators to forecast and analyse financial performance;
• Working to ensure financial sustainability and improving cost‑effectiveness through stronger financial controls and budget discipline;
• Building and maintaining relationships with existing and new sources of funding for the Archbishop's priorities including the Lambeth Trust and Partnership, and proactively increasing income through growing the commercial activities of Lambeth Palace;
• Overseeing the security arrangements for the Palace and all aspects of the Archbishop's ministry, ensuring coordination with the Metropolitan Police and security contractors;
• Leading our approach to business continuity, resilience planning and crisis response, ensuring Lambeth Palace is prepared for and able to respond effectively to major incidents that impact on our work, working alongside the NCIs business continuity planning group;
• Acting as an ex‑officio Trustee of the Archbishop's Charitable Foundation, and providing support and advice to the Trustees.

You will lead a team of approximately 25 people across a number of functional areas including Finance, Facilities, Gardens, Records Management and Events. You will also work closely with the National Church Institutions (NCIs) central service functions (e.g. Technology and HR) and have oversight of the work of external contractors, volunteers and casual workers to ensure the smooth running of Lambeth Palace. You will lead by example in ensuring our values are demonstrated throughout all of our work, and be accountable for ensuring Lambeth Palace is a safe place to work both in terms of Health & Safety legislation and excellent safeguarding practice. All staff working at Lambeth Palace share responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture with regard to children and vulnerable adults, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.

As a Chief Officer of the NCIs, you will develop close working relationships with the other Chief Officers. You will participate in corporate leadership decision-making and policy formation for the NCIs, look for opportunities for greater shared working and collaboration between Lambeth Palace and the other NCIs, modelling our values and priorities for belonging, inclusion and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Substantial strategic leadership experience in a complex or high‑profile setting, with the ability to set strategic direction, manage risk and align operational work to organisational priorities;
• A track‑record of leading excellent operational delivery with experience having accountability for finance, strategic planning, estates or facilities, and in establishing clear systems, processes and performance measures;
• Experience of developing and executing an income generation strategy;
• People‑centred leadership, modelling organisational values, enabling teams to deliver well, and ensuring safeguarding and well‑being are consistently prioritised;
• Experience of business continuity and crisis management;
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, able to work confidently with senior stakeholders, funders, public authorities and governance bodies, representing the Archbishop's priorities with clarity and integrity;
• Resilience, discretion, emotional intelligence and a commitment to belonging and inclusion.

This is a role for an experienced leader who can move and adapt comfortably between strategic oversight and hands‑on delivery, bringing steady judgement, professionalism and care to all aspects of Lambeth Palace's life and ministry.