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- Tasks: Lead a skilled team to enhance the diocese's operations and governance.
- Company: Join a vibrant diocese serving over 800 church communities across three counties.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holidays, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a diverse community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership, governance, and communication skills are essential; experience in complex organisations preferred.
- Other info: Must be a communicant member of the Church of England or in full communion.
This is a role in which you can make a major difference to the smooth running of the diocese, which serves the whole of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. This is a full-time role offering hybrid working.
Location: Kidlington, Oxford/hybrid
Hours: Full-time
Salary: Approximately £75,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Start date: On or around 1 September 2025
Closing Date: Sunday 27 April 2025 at midnight. Interviews will take place on Monday, 12 May 2025, with a prior online meeting with the Diocesan Secretary, ideally on Friday 9 May 2025, and a confirmatory meeting for the recommended candidate with the Bishop of Oxford.
The Role
In leading a department within Church House, which largely comprises of the church buildings team and governance functions, you will be blessed with a highly skilled group of people. You will have the opportunity to lead and guide them and to make a significant contribution to the life of the diocese through being part of the Bishop's senior team and heads of department group, and deputising as required for the Diocesan Secretary. The main areas of work are:
- Organisational leadership
- External grant-funding
- Oversight of our highly regarded Development Fund
- Governance and compliance, including elections, data protection, and risk
About You
You will have well-honed skills in leadership and governance, and ideally also project management. You will have very strong communication and interpersonal skills, with high attention to detail, and will have operated at a senior level in a complex organisation. You will be self-motivated and have a real interest in the very diverse work of the diocese as it seeks to support over 800 church communities and to carry out strategic work as determined through our governance structures. There is a genuine occupational requirement that the appointee must be a communicant member of the Church of England or of a church in full communion with it, in accordance with schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.
Benefits and rewards include:
- 25 days holiday per annum, 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
- 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 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.
Director of Secretariat employer: Diocese of Oxford
Contact Detail:
Diocese of Oxford Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Secretariat
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the governance structures and key stakeholders within the diocese. Understanding how the organisation operates will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the diocese, especially those in leadership roles. They can provide valuable insights into the culture and expectations of the position, which can help you tailor your approach when discussing your experience and skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your leadership and governance experience. Highlighting your achievements in similar roles will help you stand out as a candidate who can effectively lead the department and contribute to the diocese's strategic goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and challenges facing church organisations, particularly in governance and compliance. Being knowledgeable about these issues will allow you to engage in meaningful discussions during your interviews and showcase your commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Secretariat
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Director of Secretariat position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and required skills, such as leadership, governance, and project management.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in leadership and governance. Include specific examples of your achievements in similar roles, particularly in complex organisations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for the role and the diocese's mission. Address how your skills and experiences align with the requirements outlined in the job description.
Highlight Your Commitment: Since there is a genuine occupational requirement for the appointee to be a communicant member of the Church of England, make sure to express your commitment to the church and its values in your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Diocese of Oxford
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the Director of Secretariat role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as organisational leadership and governance. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership abilities, especially in complex organisations. Highlight any previous experiences where you successfully led teams or projects, particularly in governance or compliance.
✨Communicate Your Passion for the Diocese's Work
Express your genuine interest in the diverse work of the diocese. Be ready to discuss how your values align with their mission and how you can contribute to supporting the church communities.
✨Prepare for Questions on Governance and Compliance
Anticipate questions related to governance, data protection, and risk management. Brush up on relevant legislation and best practices, and be prepared to discuss how you've navigated these areas in your past roles.
