Assistant to the deputy chief executive jobs

Lead the operations, governance and compliance that enable Solving Kids' Cancer UK to deliver its mission and impact for children and families affected by neuroblastoma. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will play a critical role in ensuring the charity operates effectively, compliantly and sustainably.

This broad and varied leadership role spans governance, risk, HR, IT, data protection and organisational operations, supporting delivery of the charity's strategy through robust systems, policies and processes. Acting as Company Secretary, you will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, providing advice on governance, regulatory requirements and best practice. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will oversee key operational functions, lead cross-organisational projects and deputise for the CEO where required.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a strategic, highly organised and values-driven leader with strong experience in charity operations, governance and compliance. You will have a track record of ensuring organisations are well run, compliant and effectively managed, with the ability to oversee multiple operational areas and support strong governance and decision-making at Board level.

You will be comfortable working across a broad remit, including governance, risk, HR, IT and data protection, and confident providing clear, practical advice to senior leaders and trustees.

Person specification

Key requirements include:

• Significant senior-level experience in operations, governance or compliance within a charity or similar environment. 
• Strong understanding of charity governance and regulation, with experience supporting boards and senior leadership. 
• Experience overseeing organisational functions such as HR, IT, data protection or risk. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-organisational work effectively. 
• Strong judgement, integrity and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion. 

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK. 

This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution at the heart of a small, ambitious charity where strong operations are a vital enabler of impact for children and families.

Location: Home-based, within easy reach of London, with regular travel to the London office and occasional UK-wide travel.

First-stage interview: Thursday 6 August 

Second-stage interview: Thursday 13 August

As one of our two Lead event stewards you will be responsible for our team of paid, casual Cathedral Stewards. The Cathedral Stewards are an essential part of our life at the Cathedral – making possible the busy and engaging programme of services and events that we hold. You will organise the duty rota for the paid Cathedral Stewards, lead the Cathedral Stewards on the Cathedral floor during events and special services and take a lead on the recruitment, training and development of the stewards in collaboration with the EA to the COO. 

You will work closely with the Head of Engagement, the Engagement Coordinator and the Head of Events – assisting them with their delivery of events. You will also be a key member of the Health, Safety and Security Committee at the Cathedral. At its core, this is a role which offers the Lead Event Stewards the chance to be at the forefront of our relationship with our visitors and play a key part in the success of our special services, large-scale commercial and Engagement events. 

If you have:

• Significant experience of event stewarding
• A keen awareness of health, safety, and security challenges for large public sites
• Experience of line managing volunteers or paid casual staff

And are:

• Customer focused, passionate about excellent engagement with excellent interpersonal skills
• Pragmatic and solution-oriented
• A strong communicator, with an understanding of and enthusiasm for the Cathedral’s overall vision and values, and sympathy with the Christian faith.

Then we would love to hear from you.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Organise monthly rotas for the Cathedral Event Stewards to ensure all events are adequately and appropriately staffed;
• Working alongside the HR team, develop and maintain a training programme for Cathedral stewards
• Work alongside the Head of Engagement and the Engagement Coordinator to take part actively in planning, set-up and delivery of Engagement events such as talks, theatre, music, comedy nights and art installations;
• Undertake stewarding shifts for special services, large scale commercial events and Engagement events;
• Work alongside the team to undertake Risk Assessments and Method Statements for special and Engagement events; 
• Assist the Audience Development Coordinator in collecting feedback from Engagement events
• Demonstrate outstanding customer service at all times;
• Attend the fortnightly Health, Safety and Security Committee: help to develop and implement new initiatives and responses to legislation and other guidelines, and assist with developing ways of working and steward handbooks;
• Attend various internal meetings including the weekly diary meeting, project and event planning meetings, all-staff meetings and the Health, Safety and Security Committee meeting.
• Ensure we are compliant with meeting our duty of care to members of the public.
• Compile steward timesheets and submit to the Finance Department for payroll

Closing date: 11.59pm on Sunday, July 12th 

Interviews are planned for Monday, July 20th

Introduction to the Cathedral 

Southwark Cathedral has been a place of Christian worship for over 1400 years. Now it stands on the vibrant and exciting regenerated south bank of the Thames surrounded by cultural venues such as Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market, the offices of major companies as well as schools and diverse residential communities. It is an inclusive Christian community that offers a welcome to all. 

The Cathedral’s mission, ministry and musical tradition are core to its life as a Cathedral and a parish church serving the community. It also relies on the valuable financial contribution made by its income generating activities such as its shop, café, conference rooms, corporate events and concerts. It is a very busy place, attracting 290,000 visitors a year to the Cathedral, its churchyard and medieval herb garden. The Cathedral relies on a small but dedicated team to be inclusive and welcoming to all.

Southwark Cathedral is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer. We believe in promoting and building a diverse and inclusive team, and workplace, culture and governance structures that are welcoming to and respectful of all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people whatever their ethnicity, background, age, disability, long term condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Southwark Cathedral is committed to a culture of safeguarding, especially for children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The Cathedral has adopted the Church of England policy statement ‘Promoting a Safer Church (2017)’; Safeguarding Learning and Development (2024) and the Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance (2021). Every member of our team is recruited according to these policies and is required to complete safeguarding training.