Project and Secretariat Manager in London

The Safeguarding Structures programme is a transformation and change programme aimed to set up and deliver independent safeguarding and complaints processes. The postholder must have a strong understanding of project management processes and methodologies and the ability to apply them effectively to this complex and multifaceted programme. This is an intensive piece of work to deliver a project rigorously and at pace. The postholder will be supported by and work closely with the Programme Director.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role or have any questions, please email: safestructures@churchofengland.org

• Project Management: Leading the development and maintenance of the overall plan, flagging any risks and issues, recording and managing decisions, dependencies and opportunities. Line managing the programme coordination function. Ensuring the agreed definitions of programme/project scope, goals and deliverables are adhered to in all documentation. Coordination and writing of all project management documents for the Programme. Completing update reports for key governance bodies. Ensuring compliance with quality assurance framework for project management and change control. Operational stakeholder engagement, relationship building and communication, including with business partners within the NCIs. Supporting the Survivor Participation Officer to ensure alignment with survivor engagement protocols across the team.
• Secretariat Management: Support the programme board and advisory groups with planning agendas, setting priorities, and ensure boards and committees operate effectively and in line with agreed governance standards. Act as Programme Board Secretary, providing formal secretariat support across Programme, and associated committees and groups. Lead the planning and coordination of board and committee cycles, including forward planning, agenda setting, alerting senior staff to key deadlines in advance and scheduling in line with the programme timetable. Ensure the timely preparation, quality assurance, and circulation of board and committee papers, including consistency with agreed templates, governance standards, and decision requirements. Maintain accurate governance records. Record, track, and follow up decisions, actions, risks, and issues arising from boards and committees, ensuring clear ownership and timely escalation where required. Ensure effective delegation of governance responsibilities and project tasks to appropriate team members.

Your job description is intended to reflect your main tasks and areas of work, but is not exhaustive. Changes may occur over time and you will be expected to agree any reasonable changes to your job description that are commensurate with your banding and in line with the general nature of your post. You will be consulted about any changes to your job description before these are implemented.

The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups.

• Knowledge: Strong understanding of project management methodologies (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile, or equivalent). Knowledge of governance frameworks, committee structures, and secretariat functions. Familiarity with risk management, reporting, and assurance processes. Awareness of relevant regulatory, policy, or sector-specific requirements (where applicable).
• Skills: Excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, including drafting high-quality papers, briefings, and minutes. Proven stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and project management software.
• Experience: Demonstrable experience in project or programme management, ideally in a complex or multi-stakeholder environment. Experience providing secretariat support to boards, committees, or senior leadership groups. Experience of producing reports, governance papers, and briefing materials. Proven track record of managing stakeholders across different levels and organisations. Experience of monitoring progress, risks, and actions within a structured governance framework.

• Formal qualification in Project Management e.g. PMP (PMI), Prince2 Practitioner (Axelos), PPQ (APM) or equivalent certification, or working towards it.
• Experience of working in one or more of these fields: safeguarding, regulatory bodies, scrutiny and audit, change management, HR, people and culture, and/or organisational development.
• Experience of line management.
• Understanding of the structures of the Church of England.