Project and Secretariat Manager

Project and Secretariat Manager

Full-Time 35000 - 42500 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
The Church of England

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead project management and secretariat functions for a transformative safeguarding programme.
  • Company: Join the Church of England's National Church Institutions, promoting inclusivity and community.
  • Benefits: Diverse workplace, opportunities for growth, and a chance to make a real impact.
  • Other info: We welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially under-represented groups.
  • Why this job: Be part of meaningful change while developing your project management skills.
  • Qualifications: Strong understanding of project management methodologies and excellent communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42500 £ per year.

Job Description

The Safeguarding Structures programme is a transformation and change programme aimed to set up and delivery independent safeguarding and complaints processes.

The Safeguarding Structures programme is a transformation and change programme aimed to set up and delivery 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

Responsibilities

  • 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.

Qualifications

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.

Essential

Skills/Aptitudes

  • 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, Power Point) 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.

Desirable

  • 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

About Us

Please note that you will not be able to view the role description after the closing date. We suggest that you save a copy of this page before you submit your application.

About The NCIs

The National Church Institutions comprises a wide variety of teams, professions and functions that support the mission and ministries of the Church of England in its vision to be a church, centred on Jesus Christ, for the whole nation - a church that is simpler, humbler, bolder.

We Include. You Belong.

Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute.

Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

Living out our values in all that we do, we

  • Strive for Excellence
  • Show Compassion
  • Respect others
  • Collaborate
  • Act with Integrity

We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward.

The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life.

We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith.

We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values.

Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you.

Use of AI in your application

We appreciate that you may want to use AI tools to help you with your application.

We're happy for you to use AI to come up with ideas and help structure your thoughts, but you shouldn't use AI to fabricate information or write your whole application for you.

One of our values is integrity, and although we want you to demonstrate your best self, we don't want an AI-generated persona.

If you simply copy and paste AI-generated content into your application, this will reduce your chances of success.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Project and Secretariat Manager employer: The Church of England

The Church of England in Liverpool is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that values diversity and inclusivity. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth through diocesan training courses and the chance to make a meaningful impact within the community. With a strong commitment to nurturing vocations, this role provides a unique opportunity to engage with various church traditions and contribute to the spiritual development of lay ministry.

The Church of England

Contact Details:

The Church of England Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Project and Secretariat Manager

Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions

Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Project and Secretariat Manager at The Church of England!

Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks

Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like The Church of England or be willing to refer you for that Project and Secretariat Manager position!

Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences

Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from The Church of England who’s on the lookout for their next Project and Secretariat Manager star!

Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online

Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Project and Secretariat Manager role at The Church of England!

We think you need these skills to ace Project and Secretariat Manager

Project Management
Knowledge of governance frameworks
Secretariat functions
Risk Management
Stakeholder Management
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at The Church of England. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!

Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.

Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Church of England

Master the Case Study Game

In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!

Know Your Numbers

Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!

Show Your Leadership Flair

As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Be a Cultural Fit

We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at The Church of England. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!