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At Age UK, effective governance is key to delivering our mission and supporting older people. We are looking for a Senior Governance Manager to play a pivotal role supporting our most senior Boards and Committees, ensuring robust governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic alignment.
The Senior Governance Manager is a key role managing and providing all aspects of the governance and secretariat service relevant to the most senior Boards and Committees within the Age UK Group and deputising for the Head of Governance and Legal with respect to duties as Company Secretary.
The role manages a team of 4 Executive Assistant and Governance Officers and 1 Executive Assistant (Chair/CEO) and the ability to line manage this team throughout the Board and Committee governance cycle and on individual projects / tasks, while also providing consistent executive services is key.
This is a very visible role working closely with Trustees and Directors as well as the most senior staff within the Charity, providing advice and support.
The post holder will lead projects, anticipate future governance matters and proactively tackle issues, with the ability to prioritise and manage many projects and activities in a busy environment. Please see role description for all responsibilities.
We operate a hybrid working model. We offer flexibility on working from home but require the applicant to be in our central London office approximately 4 times per month, in line with meeting schedules. Travel costs to the London office are the responsibility of the postholder and are not covered by the charity.
Age UK internal grade: 4L
Must haves:
The below competencies will be assessed at the indicated stage of the recruitment process: Application = A, Interview = I, Test = T, Presentation = P
Experience
* Experience of provision of secretariat services; servicing senior level Boards and Committees A, I
* Experience of charity governance in a large and complex charity structure, including experience of establishing and maintaining governance policies and procedures A, I
* Experience of corporate governance A, I
* Line management experience A, I
Skills and Knowledge
* High level of written English A, T, P
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels and to tailor communications to different audiences A, I, T, P
* Strong presentation, negotiation and interpersonal skills I
* Experience of or aptitude to explore how technology and the use of AI can transform the team's work I
* A good eye for detail A, I
* Proactive and able to work both individually and as a team. I
* Sound judgement with good problem-solving abilities I
* Highly organised, able to meet deadlines and manage / prioritise workflow A, I
Personal attributes
* Confident and able to take decisions I
* Personable and able to build good relationships quickly I
* Flexible and able to work in a changing and fast-moving environment I
* Discreet and comfortable with holding confidential information I
Great to Have's:
The below competencies will be assessed at the indicated stage of the recruitment process:
Application = A, Interview = I, Test = T, Presentation = P
* Experience / understanding of working within a financial service regulated environment. A, I
What we offer in return
- Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
- Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, Health cashback plan and EAP
- Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
- Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
- Blue Light Card Scheme
- You Did It Awards - recognition awards from £100-250
- Many additional benefits
Additional Information
Supporting statements and anonymisation
Candidates are expected to provide a supporting statement that explains how they meet the competencies annotated with an 'A' in the job description, to assess suitability for the position. Age UK acknowledges and accepts that AI may be used to support the application; we do expect candidates to personalise experience, knowledge and skills and failure to do so, may result in your application being rejected.
Please submit a Word version of your CV as it will be anonymised by our recruitment system when you apply for a role. Our system is unable to anonymise supporting statements and heavily formatted CVs. Please could you remove any personal information including your name before you upload to support our inclusive recruitment process. All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us if invited for interview.
Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme
Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer. Due to high numbers of applications received, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.
Reasonable adjustments
Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case-by-case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting the Recruitment Team. Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need-to-know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.
Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.
Age UK politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
For a full list of benefits please visit our website.
Thank you!
The Archbishops' Advisers for Appointments and Vocations (AAAV) team is a key team within the Office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, supporting and advising the Archbishops and the wider Church on the nomination process for senior clergy. The team supports the work of the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) on the nomination of Archbishops and Diocesan Bishops, those involved in nominating Suffragan Bishops and the selection panels who nominate new cathedral Deans, as well as any other appointments involving the Archbishops. The team supports senior clergy in their vocation and discernment, working to develop and equip a diverse pipeline of candidates for senior ministry roles. The team also works in partnership with others to ensure that senior clergy are equipped for leadership in the Church and the vital role it plays in the life of the nation.
This role provides an excellent opportunity of working in a small, friendly, committed, professional and busy team supporting a complex, detailed and fast-paced portfolio of senior appointments, vocational discernment and associated projects. We work as a close-knit team in beautiful surroundings, part of the Lambeth Palace community and Office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, supporting each other with care, flexibility and good humour.
The purpose of this role is to provide seamless, proactive support to the Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments, ensuring their time, priorities, and workflow are protected and optimised. It also exists to act as a reliable presence within a busy team - stepping in to assist wherever it strengthens the overall operation. Ultimately, the role keeps the Archbishops' Secretary focused and the team functioning smoothly by being the connective, proactive and organised force that helps to hold everything together.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Complex, efficient and strategic diary management involving multiple stakeholders and competing demands, including booking travel and accommodation.
- Being aware of the Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments' objectives, priorities and views, communicating these appropriately and sensitively to external and internal stakeholders.
- Organising meetings and ensuring the Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments is fully briefed and prepared in advance.
- Building and maintaining relationships with key contacts and their offices, keeping the Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments updated, as appropriate.
- Supporting the planning and delivery of nomination processes involving the Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments.
- Ensuring the timely processing of the Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments' expenses and providing wider team financial administrative support.
- Receiving and greeting visitors and being an ambassador for the Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments and the wider team in welcoming guests.
- Providing detailed hospitality administration, coordination and support, e.g. ensuring meetings are set up and catered for appropriately, booking appropriate rooms, ensuring appropriate technology is in place and coordinating visitors.
- Supporting research projects relating to the work of the Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments with preparatory independent research and briefings.
- Managing and prioritising communications, whether by phone, e-mail, letter or in person, drafting high-quality and timely responses.
- Drafting and maintaining documents, reports, policies and other materials, informed by an understanding of their context, implications and impact.
- Taking and drafting high-quality meeting minutes, ensuring key outcomes, decisions and actions are clearly documented.
- Working alongside and supporting the planning and delivery of senior appointments processes and the wider work of the team, as required.
A comprehensive and supportive induction programme will be put in place for the post holder to ensure that they have all the information, access and contacts required to quickly acclimatise and excel in this role.
All staff working at Lambeth Palace share responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture with regard to children and vulnerable adults, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Personal support and administration
Essential
- Strong ability to manage diaries, correspondence and papers for a senior leader.
- Strong ability to draft high-quality, accurate correspondence, briefs, minutes and other written material.
- Outstanding word-processing and proof-reading skills.
Desirable
- Experience of providing personal assistant support at senior level.
- Experience preparing committee papers and planning high-quality events or meetings.
Digital skills and process improvement
Essential
- Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, the internet and networked systems, with confidence using IT to develop creative solutions.
- Ability to design and implement new processes and systems to improve efficiency.
Communication, interpersonal skills and stakeholder engagement
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an understanding of the importance of clear, timely and effective communication.
- Strong interpersonal skills and confidence in engaging professionally with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders.
- Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to respond with sensitivity and pastoral awareness when required.
- Excellent ability to collaborate effectively and work well within a team.
Judgement, discretion and professionalism
Essential
- Demonstrably confidential, discreet and diplomatic in handling sensitive information and situations.
- Excellent judgement in managing urgent, complex and varied matters.
- Strong commitment to delivering consistently high-quality work.
Planning, prioritisation and delivery
Essential
- Proactive, consistent, organised and forward-thinking, with strong planning and prioritisation skills.
- Ability to work independently, use initiative and remain calm under pressure.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail. ? Ability to adapt plans quickly in response to changing circumstances and to incorporate new learning into future planning.
Desirable
- Interest in the mission and ministry of the Church of England and the processes for appointing senior clergy.
- Experience in a Human Resources or recruitment environment.
Closing date for applications is 28 May, 23:55
Registered Charity
101 - 500
The Church of England’s vocation is and always has been to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ afresh in each generation to the people of England.
Thank you!
Pastoral Secretary
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!
Position: Pastoral Secretary
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.
You will:
- 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 supporting 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.
You may have experience in other areas such as PA, Personal Assistant, PA to the Director, Secretary, Executive Assistant, Administration Manager, Admin, Administrator, Senior PA, Senior Administrator, Secretarial Lead, Senior Secretary, Board Secretary.
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP
