Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to work for an organisation that makes a difference? An organisation that nurtures its staff, encourages development, and rewards staff for their hard work. If the answer is yes, we have an incredible opportunity for you!
Salary: £22,631.75 per annum (FTE £29,906.51)
Salary Band: N
Contract: Permanent
Location: Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, OX5 1GF
Hours: 28 – part time
Working Pattern: Split over 4 or 5 days – exact pattern to be agreed with Archdeacon
Closing Date: 28 January 2025 at midnight
Interview Date: Friday 07 February 2025 at Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington OX5 1GF
About the role:
We are seeking a highly efficient and detail orientated administrator to join our dynamic organisation and support the work of the Archdeacon of Oxford. In this vital role you will be working closely with the Archdeacon and Associate Archdeacon of Oxford facilitating the smooth running of the Oxford Archdeaconry office. You responsibilities will include providing a confidential PA, secretarial and administrative support to both, through effective diary management, managing correspondence, supporting meetings, handling email and enquiries, taking minutes and facilitating events.
Working with the clergy and churchwardens in the Oxford Archdeaconry, you will keep records of those in post and be responsible for updating the diocesan and national databases. You will organise a range of events including an annual Visitation service at the cathedral for the swearing in of churchwardens and will clerk several meetings and liaising closely with the Area Deans of Oxford and Cowley.
The successful postholder is expected to manage the Archdeaconry office with a considerable degree of autonomy and independence, ensuring that all functions are tracked and completed on time. As well as having excellent administrative and diary management skills, you must be able to offer proactive research, anticipation of issues and influence for positive outcomes.
About you:
You will bring strong administrative experience, ideally with at least 2-years previous experience in a PA role, and a proven track record of accuracy and exceptional attention to detail. Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills alongside proficient IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams) and contact database management experience, will be crucial for success in this role and in enabling you to flourish within this small team. Your excellent organisational skills and flexible approach to work will enable you to work proactively and plan and prioritise tasks effectively to meet deadlines and perform under pressure.
This role offers professional growth and the chance to contribute to a dynamic team. Hybrid working is available alongside designated office days within Church House Oxford. You will pay attention to detail and have the ability to meet deadlines while prioritising tasks and handling sensitive and confidential information.
You do not need to be a practising Christian or have a faith to work with us - around 50% of our staff are not practising Christians but are comfortable with the Christian ethos that underpins our work. However, all staff do have a desire to make a difference. An understanding of the working of parochial and chaplaincy work of the Church of England would be an advantage.
Benefits and Rewards:
- 25 days holiday per annum, pro rata, 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
- Hybrid working
- Free parking and subsidised on-site café
- Generous employer pension contribution of 12.5% which includes death in service benefit (5% Employee Salary Sacrifice 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.
The Archdeacon of Oxford is responsible for the churches and clergy in Oxford city centre and Cowley, as well as having the remit for Chaplaincy and Interfaith concerns across the Diocese.
How to apply:
To apply, please email your completed application form and recruitment monitoring form to: recruitment@oxford.anglican.org The forms are accessible via the links below:
Job Description | Application Form | Recruitment Monitoring Form | Privacy Notice
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 our staff. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from communities currently underrepresented in the diocese.