Parish general manager jobs

This is a senior support post of essential importance to allow the Dean, Chief Operating Officer, Chapter and committees to develop and maintain an effective system of governance for the Cathedral with adherence to the highest standards of good governance practice. This will include relevant regulatory and legislative requirements such as supporting the Chief Operating Officer with returns, reports and filings for statutory bodies including the Charity Commission, Information Commissioner’s Office, HSE, the Parish and Companies House. The post holder will provide comprehensive and effective administrative support for Chapter and its statutory committees such as Finance Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee. The post holder will work across Cathedral teams to ensure robust compliance and risk management.

If you have knowledge of and experience in:

• Governance processes
• Working with and administrating databases
• Broad understanding of legal frameworks (e.g. data protection laws), regulatory requirements, risk management principles, and internal audit processes 

And are:

• A proactive problem solver
• Highly efficient and organised
• Enthusiastic for the Cathedral’s overall vision and values, and have sympathy with the Christian faith.

Then we would love to hear from you.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as the Whistleblowing Officer and assist in the working of the Whistleblowing Policy;
• Maintain the declarations of interest and gift registry records;
• Assist the COO in keeping a log of complaints under the Complaints Policy 
• Lead the co-ordination, preparation, planning and follow-up for meetings and other committee work associated with the governance of the Cathedral including Chapter, Finance Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, and Nominations Committee;
• Arrange and manage the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) and parish clerking duties;
• Assist the COO with returns, reports and filings for statutory bodies, the Cathedral's insurers, Association of English Cathedrals etc; 
• Assist the Dean and COO in their governance responsibilities under the Care of Cathedrals Measure 2021;
• Support the COO in the coordination of risk management and Health and Safety Compliance across the organisation; 
• Support data protection compliance across the organisation, working with the Cathedral’s GDPR consultants
• Secretariat support for the Health, Safety and Security Committee meetings
• Develop, monitor and review Cathedral policies and systems to ensure compliance and best practice
• Work with the Cathedral HR team to devise and monitor a regular training schedule to ensure best practice and compliance
• The post-holder will assist the Cathedral Safeguarding Officer where needed with administration, DBS checks and training requirements and records.

Closing date: 11.59pm on Wednesday, June 17th 

Interviews are planned for Tuesday, July 7th and Wednesday, July 8th.

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 200,000 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.

Church Buildings Team Leader 

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Church Buildings Team Leader to lead the Church Buildings team and play a key role in supporting parishes, clergy and diocesan governance structures in the care, repair and development of the Diocese’s significant church buildings estate.

Position: Church Buildings Team Leader

Location: Hove/Hybrid

Salary: £53,664 per annum (£48,297 during training period if Mission & Pastoral responsibilities are phased in)

Hours: 37.5 hour per week (flexi time available)

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Midnight on 7th June 2026.

Interview Date: Hove on Friday 26th June 2026.

About the Role

The Diocese is responsible for around 450 church buildings, of which 181 are Grade I listed, 93 are Grade II*, and 99 are Grade II. This is a portfolio of exceptional historic, architectural and community value, presenting both exciting opportunities and complex challenges.

Reporting to the Property Director, you will lead a skilled professional team and provide high-quality advice on church buildings, churchyards, faculty processes, and (subject to experience and training) mission and pastoral reorganisation. You will act as Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), working closely with clergy, PCCs, archdeacons, external advisers and diocesan colleagues.

The role will involve travel across the Diocese, with some evening and occasional weekend working (time off in lieu provided).

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Church Buildings team, including performance management and budgeting
• Support and advise the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches
• Provide expert guidance to parishes and clergy on the care, repair and improvement of church buildings and their contents
• Oversee faculty applications and permissions processes
• Build strong, constructive relationships with stakeholders across the Diocese and beyond
• Contribute to training events, communications and wider diocesan initiatives
• Depending on your experience, you will support mission and pastoral reorganisation and work relating to closed churches, with scope for training and phased responsibility of these aspects of the role

About You

You will bring substantial experience in the care or management of historic or ecclesiastical buildings, along with strong leadership skills and a collaborative approach.

You will also have:

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field such as heritage management, architecture, surveying or building conservation
• Strong understanding of heritage legislation, permissions frameworks and national policy relating to church buildings
• Experience working with clergy, PCCs, volunteers or comparable stakeholder groups
• Proven line management experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• An ability to interpret legislation and provide clear, practical advice
• Affiliate membership (or above) of the IHBC and familiarity with the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules are desirable, as is experience of presentation and training delivery.
• Sympathy with the values and mission of the Church of England and committed to collaborative, professional working.

You can view full details of the in the job description and person specification when you apply.

About the Organisation

The vision of the Diocese is to help people to know, love and follow Jesus. Based in Hove and serving the people of Sussex across more than 360 parishes and 154 church schools and the wider community, this is a great role for someone who supports the ethos, aims and objectives of the Diocese and the Church of England.

As an employer, and as a team, the mutual values at work are to be Respectful, Professional, Flexible and Supportive.

What is on offer:

• Flexi-time and the opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home for part of the week.
• 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and two privilege days per year.
• Membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a 15.1% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 0-6%.
• Employee Assistance Programme with access to GP appointments, counselling and financial and legal support.
• Free parking, and the ride to work scheme and development opportunities.

Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.  All post holders are expected to share this commitment and to comply with the relevant safeguarding policy.

If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape children’s and youth ministry, we would love to hear from you.

You may have experience in areas such as Buildings Team Leader, Buildings Manager, Facilities Manager, Site Manager, Historic Buildings Manager, Estates Manager, Estates Team Leader, Estates and Site Officer, Heritage Buildings Manager, Conservation Manager. #INDNFP

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced community development worker to lead a portfolio of projects and support the wider Lost Woods team. Using an asset-based community development (ABCD) approach, you'll work with adults, children, young people and families — particularly those facing barriers to accessing nature.

Your lead projects will include:

• Woods on Prescription and sustainable community woodland wellbeing activities
• Five Ways to Family Wellbeing – building confidence to take children and YP into woodlands
• Networking for underserved groups engaging with woodland and nature
• Evaluating and legacy-planning for all lead projects by November 2027

Alongside the team, you'll:

• Engage communities, map needs and help overcome barriers to participation
• Support volunteer groups to develop their own sustainable woodland activities
• Work with landowners, local authorities and partners to improve woodland access
• Deliver training, events and networking for stakeholders
• Report accurately on outcomes and maintain GDPR-compliant records
• Represent AirS at events and through social media
• Contribute to fundraising for Lost Woods and future AirS projects

About You

Essential:

• Experience of community development, including asset-based approaches and mentoring community groups
• Experience delivering nature-based, outdoor or conservation activities across a range of ages and abilities
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, including those with vulnerabilities or complex support needs
• Experience on multi-organisation partnership programmes
• Confident collecting, monitoring and evaluating data and writing funder reports
• Knowledge of ABCD and an understanding of barriers to community involvement, particularly in rural areas
• Strong interpersonal skills — able to influence and motivate volunteers, communities and stakeholders at all levels
• Good organisational skills and experience meeting monitoring and reporting requirements
• Qualified to GCSE level or equivalent; Forest School (level 2/3), Eco Psychology, Nature Connection or Counselling training also considered
• Current driving licence and use of own vehicle
• Outdoor First Aid trained, or willing to be — you'll lead risk assessments for woodland activities

Desirable:

• Accredited qualification or significant experience in community development or community organising
• Knowledge of rural Sussex, relevant statutory services and local conservation organisations
• Experience of line management or team leadership
• Coaching, mentoring or training facilitation skills
• Experience using social media to promote projects

Location: Lost Woods programme area (West, Mid & East Sussex) with home working Hours: 21 hours per week (some evenings/weekends – TOIL given) Salary: £30,833 pro rata Contract: Fixed term – programme ends November 2027 Annual leave: 28 days pro rata | Pension: 5% employer contribution

AirS is committed to equality of opportunity. This post is subject to a DBS check.