Learning and Development Support Officer in Birmingham

Birmingham is the UK’s second city with the youngest urban population in Europe and one of the most lively and diverse regions. The Church of England Birmingham covers an area of nearly 300 square miles and includes parishes in the West Midlands including Birmingham and parts of Solihull, Sandwell, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Right at the heart of what we do there are over 187 Church of England places of worship representing a wide scope of Church tradition, with an average weekly attendance of 17,000 from a population of 1.5 million.

The L&D Support Team work together to support a variety of events and activities across the diocese, including meetings, training, gatherings and communications through providing a breadth of administrative and practical support to such events and outputs. There are two team members who lead on supporting the variety of events that we hold and each will also hold a discreet administrative and project brief for specific teams, but they also collaborate to provide excellent administration, customer service and systems administration to colleagues who deliver Learning & Development and for individuals who support the mission and ministry of CofE Birmingham.

The key tasks of this role include:

• Organise local, regional and national events such as training courses, church services and conferences.
• Liaise with event owner to identify their exact requirements.
• Arrange planning meetings.
• Manage bookings for courses/conferences including reconciliation of course fees and expenses using online booking systems.
• Be the first point of contact for booking queries.
• Book rooms, organise catering and room set‑up.
• Liaise with speakers/trainers and other key people.
• Prepare training material, equipment, delegate packs and papers.
• Produce information to promote the event and any other newsletters or communications as required (liaising with the Communications Team as appropriate).
• Handle queries and be available on the day of the event to ensure that all runs smoothly.
• Oversee the set‑up and pack‑down afterwards.
• Post‑event evaluation (including data entry and analysis and producing reports for event owners).
• Maintain attendance records.
• Provide an efficient and effective administrative service to nominated stakeholders in relation to diary management, meetings, communications as well as other projects such as Lay Ministry Formation, Interfaith, CofE Birmingham Racial Justice Board, Vocations and Ordinands.
• Support the Ministries Support Officer who oversees administration of the ongoing Learning and Development processes for ordained and lay ministry colleagues and for DBF Employees.
• Administer a number of our systems and databases which we use to record individuals’ information and manage events.

Person Specification:

• Experience in planning and organising successful events.
• Experience of minute taking and creating agendas.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate well with a wide range of different people.
• The ability to multi‑task, remain calm under pressure and use initiative when required.
• The ability to work as part of a team and on their own without constant supervision.
• Project planning and organisation skills.
• Database input and management.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office as well as more complex systems such as Cognito, Mail Chimp and be quick to learn.
• Experience of online booking systems would be helpful but not essential.
• To travel to other locations from time to time to support meetings and events held off‑site.
• A willingness to live‑out our values of being: Collaborative, Generous, Supportive, Inspirational and Committed to a Common Purpose.
• An understanding of, and an appreciation for, the Christian ethos and values.

Terms & Conditions:

• Hours: 35 hours per week.
• Salary: £28,724 per annum.
• This role is office/location based due to the role being required to support in‑person events, however a degree of hybrid working will be offered for the right candidate after an initial settling in phase.
• Hybrid working is available where this fits with the needs of the role, however a minimum average of 40% of the working week should be spent “on‑site,” be this in our offices, or attending meetings held elsewhere.
• Some evening and weekend work will be required, for which compensatory time off in lieu is offered.
• Pension – 12% employer contribution into the Church Workers Pension Fund.
• The role currently reports to the HR Director.
• Five weeks holiday per year plus Bank Holidays plus 3 additional Diocesan Discretionary Days between Christmas and New Year.

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work. We welcome applications from any individuals who feel that they meet the person specification for any post, in particular from those who are currently under‑represented in our staff teams such as those from Global Majority Heritage or UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQI+.

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment.