At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead governance and operations for a major Church of England diocese, ensuring smooth office functioning.
- Company: Join the Diocese of Southwark, committed to diversity and anti-racism.
- Benefits: Professional growth opportunities, flexible working hours, and time off in lieu for extra hours.
- Other info: Ideal for those who thrive on complexity and enjoy working with diverse teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-stakes role while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in governance or secretariat roles, strong communication, and project management skills.
This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of one of the largest Church of England dioceses, working closely with an experienced and committed Diocesan Secretary as a trusted advisor to a small senior team. This is a varied, high-impact role with significant scope for professional growth. The role blends strategy, operations and governance and is ideal for someone who thrives on complexity and likes getting things done. You will be a trusted adviser and sounding board, offering challenge, perspective, and solutions. You will be expert at developing and maintaining excellent relationships with a wide range of people including trustees, staff and senior clergy.
The Diocese of Southwark is committed to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation and to increasing our diversity at all levels. We especially welcome applications from those with Global Majority Heritage, those with disabilities and other protected characteristics.
Job Purpose
To ensure the smooth functioning of the central diocesan office in particular by leading on governance in the Diocesan Board of Finance, co-ordinating activities and managing the day-to-day responsibilities of the Diocesan Secretary’s role as Company Secretary. This will involve a range of responsibilities including:
- Leading on all elements of governance and charity law compliance
- Leading the Health and Safety and facilities management in the Diocesan Offices, including the line management of staff.
- Co-ordinating, preparing planning and follow up for a range of meetings associated with the governance of the diocese. This includes drafting agendas, preparing papers, taking minutes of meetings and following up the actions
- Supporting the Diocesan Secretary in all other aspects of synodical and committee management, including overseeing elections and the electoral process for Diocesan Synod and Deanery Synods
- Acting as a point of contact and expertise for Parishes, Deanery Secretaries and Deanery Lay Chairs
The Person
You should have significant experience in a governance or secretariat role, preferably in a charity and ideally in the Church of England. Proven ability to work closely with senior leaders, ideally at CEO or Board level is essential, as is the experience of leading a small team to deliver well under pressure. You should have a strong understanding of the charity sector and ideally of Church of England governance. As a key contact for people in the Diocese, you should have outstanding communication skills: written, verbal, and interpersonal, combined with strong organisational and project management skills. You will need to be comfortable switching between high level strategy and hands on delivery, with the ability to influence without authority and navigate sensitive issues with discretion.
The role is challenging and involves some evening and weekend working for which time off in lieu is given.
Head of Governance and Secretariat employer: DIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK
The Diocese of Southwark offers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic and supportive environment, where your contributions will directly impact the governance and operations of one of the largest Church of England dioceses. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, the Diocese fosters a culture of collaboration and professional growth, providing employees with the chance to develop their skills while making a meaningful difference in the community. The role of Head of Governance and Secretariat not only allows for significant responsibility but also offers flexibility and support for work-life balance, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a rewarding career in a values-driven organisation.
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We think this is how you could land Head of Governance and Secretariat
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Governance and Secretariat
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
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Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
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How to prepare for a job interview at DIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
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✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
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