At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape church structures and support ministry through complex casework and collaboration.
- Company: Join a supportive diocese committed to effective pastoral reorganisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous pension, flexible working, and 25+ days holiday.
- Other info: Open to diverse backgrounds; no need for a practising faith.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the Church while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Organised, analytical, with experience in managing complex casework and advising stakeholders.
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!
Location: Oxford/Hybrid
Hours: Part-time, 22.2 hours per week (0.6 FTE)
Salary: £45,378.55 to £48,869.21 per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Sunday 7 June 2026, at midnight
Interviews: Wednesday 24 June 2026, Oxford, OX5 1GF
The Role
This is a key senior role within the Diocese, offering an opportunity to play a central part in shaping how the Church is organised to support its mission and ministry. As Pastoral Secretary, you will lead and coordinate the Diocese’s pastoral reorganisation work, ensuring that 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:
- Competitive salary
- Generous employer pension contribution of 12.5% into the auto-enrolment pension scheme, which includes 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, namely Maundy Thursday, Ascension Day, and Christmas Eve (or the closest working day, where this 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 a 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
- An attractive modern working environment
The successful candidate must have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. If you do not hear from us, your application has not been successful.
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: Diocese of Oxford
The Diocese offers a supportive and collaborative work environment in Oxford, where employees can thrive while contributing to meaningful pastoral work. With a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and flexible working patterns, the role of Pastoral Secretary not only provides opportunities for professional growth but also promotes a healthy work-life balance. Employees benefit from a strong commitment to wellbeing, family-friendly policies, and a modern working environment that fosters inclusivity and respect for diverse backgrounds.
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 your contacts in the church community or related sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the diocese and understand their mission and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around pastoral reorganisation and casework. Practice answering common interview questions to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to manage complex casework and collaborate with senior stakeholders. Use specific scenarios to illustrate your problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little nudge can go a long way!
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 experience aligns with the role of Pastoral Secretary. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills:Emphasise your strong written and verbal communication skills, especially in managing complex casework. We want to see examples of how you've successfully navigated sensitive situations or advised stakeholders in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and experience without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Diocese of Oxford
✨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's requirements.
✨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 balanced various stakeholder interests, 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 rehearsing answers to common interview questions with a friend or mentor.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Ability
Think about instances where you've led a team or mentored others. Be prepared to discuss your approach to overseeing staff and how you contribute to training and guidance, as this will be key in your role.
