Parish general manager jobs

About the Church Commissioners

Established in 1948, The Church Commissioners works to support the Church of England's ministry.

The main aspects to the work of the Church Commissioners are as follows:

Managing the endowment fund

The Investments team of c. 85 colleagues manages the Church's permanent endowment fund. This £11.1 billion fund (as at 31st December 2024) is one of the largest in the country and has its origins in Queen Anne's Bounty, which was established in 1704.

The fund represents a diverse investments portfolio, which is managed with a strong focus on responsible and ethical investments that enable the funding support for the Church of England to grow in line with agreed investment return targets.

Church-Facing Commissioner Teams

There are three Church-facing Commissioner Teams:

• The Church Buildings team of c. 35 colleagues supports dioceses and parishes with the care, conservation and development of historic church buildings, advises on permissions for changes to church buildings and provides guidance on architectural and heritage matters. It helps churches adapt for worship and community use and works with government to advise on policies that affect church buildings;
• The Mission & Pastoral Services team of c. 10 colleagues supports the creation, merger and closure of parishes and benefices. It oversees the adjustment of parish boundaries, supports dioceses on the legal framework for pastoral change, and handles the legal steps when a church building is no longer required for public worship, including finding suitable alternative uses or disposal;
• The Bishoprics & Cathedrals team of c. 40 colleagues advises on the provision of suitable housing and office accommodation for diocesan bishops and archbishops, funding bishops' working costs, and supporting cathedrals in their governance and sustainability. It also oversees , the historic library and record office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and the main archive for the documentary history of the Church of England.

Central Support and Governance

Overall, there are c. 10 colleagues in the Central support and governance team:

• The Commissioners' Secretariat team supports the Chief Executive, senior trustees and Board in all aspects of their governance;
• The Engagement Manager is responsible for working closely with a wide variety of Commissioners' teams to help ensure that the Church Commissioners has effective engagement with a wide variety of Stakeholders;
• The Strategic Programme management team varies in size depending on the strategic projects currently underway (see below for further details).

Church of England Central Services (ChECS)

The Church Commissioners is supported by a number of key enabling teams which are part of the Church of England Central Services. This NCI consists of Finance, Assurance, Technology, Data, Project Management, Communications and Legal teams. The ChECS team is c. 150 colleagues.

The Church Commissioners is accountable to Parliament, General Synod and, as a registered charity, to the Charity Commission. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the Commissioners' Chair and the current Deputy Chair is the Bishop of Salisbury. Three of the Commissioners' trustees are known as Church Estates Commissioners (CECs), who will be key stakeholders for this role. The First CEC chairs the Assets (investment) Committee and the Second CEC is an MP who helps exercise accountability to Parliament. Both are appointed by HM The King on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Third CEC chairs committees that oversee the work of the Church-facing Commissioner Teams and is appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Director of Strategy and Engagement has direct responsibility for Central Support and Governance, comprising the Commissioners' Secretariat (4 colleagues), the Engagement Manager and the Strategic Programme Management team (c. 5 colleagues). Additional Strategic Programme team members may be added as further strategic projects are commissioned.

Strategic focus

• Support the Chief Executive and Board with the development, articulation and delivery of the Commissioners' strategic business plan to enable it to support the mission and ministry of the Church of England, engaging widely and authentically in so doing;
• Act as a close adviser and sounding board for the Chief Executive and leadership team, ensuring the provision of accurate and timely advice, briefings and presentations;
• Assist in developing and delivering plans and projects to give life to the business plan.

Communications and stakeholder engagement

• Advise on, and support, stakeholder engagement. Develop and implement engagement and communications strategies for key stakeholders and leaders, e.g., bishops, parliamentarians, dioceses and General Synod (the Church's legislative and deliberative body). This includes major projects and programmes of work and liaison with the Communications team;
• Champion the views of key stakeholders and beneficiaries within the Commissioners, helping to ensure that business plans and projects reflect the perspectives of the wider Church.

Project support

• Manage complex or sensitive strategic projects and issues, thinking through the consequences of those projects, decisions and communications, including considering reputation matters.
• Facilitate the implementation of change plans, working closely with the Commissioners' leadership team and other NCI executive team colleagues.
• Support the implementation of cross-NCI programmes from the Commissioners' perspective;
• Use the Project and Programme Methodology adopted by the Church Commissioners and participate in current project governance structures - working with the PMO to continue to improve this.

Provide leadership and support to project teams, including:

• the Programme Spire team (which is managing a multi-year research programme to understand and respond to the charity's historic links to African chattel enslavement);
• any changes to the organisational structure for the Church Commissioners, ensuring they are provided with appropriate performance targets and support. This should be done working closely with the appropriate Finance and People teams.

Leadership and wider context

• Keep up to date with current events, trends and concerns which might affect the work of the Commissioners, NCIs and the wider Church;
• Support the wider Church as a senior leader, contributing to the development of the NCIs. Draw connections between operational activities in different teams, and with other NCI activities where appropriate.

• A salary of c.£95,000 plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.

• 30 days annual leave plus eight bank holidays three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time).
• We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. This is looked at in a case-by-case scenario and if this fits within the department's needs. We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
• We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.
• Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK's leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.
• Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme 
• Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
• Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
• Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.

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

Summary

The Church of England has recently agreed a significant increase in funding to support God's mission and ministry across the country, supporting local parishes and growing many more new worshipping communities to serve the whole nation. The distributions will also help fund dioceses' plans to serve the nation in various areas such radically cutting the Church's carbon footprint and supporting parishes, cathedrals, and dioceses with using their buildings, to best missional effect whilst ensuring their protection, enhancement, conservation, and appropriate adaptation.

The Net Zero Carbon programme was established to help the Church of England to deliver its commitment to reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2030. It aims to aims to equip, resource and support all parts of the Church to reduce carbon emissions from the energy used in its buildings, schools and through work-related transport by 2030. The team manages the distribution of a grant portfolio worth £190 million across 2023-33, aimed at supporting and equipping dioceses, parishes and other parts of the Church to reach the milestones set out in the Routemap to Net Zero 2030.

This role will play a vital role in supporting the work of the Net Zero Carbon Programme's grant streams, supporting it in delivering a consistent and responsive service to grantees.

The purpose of this role is to provide a responsive service as operational officer for the grant schemes under the Churches Workstream in the Net Zero Carbon Programme:

• Currently the Demonstrator Churches Grant Fund and the Boiler Replacement Hardship Grant Fund,
• 26-28 Decarbonising Churches Grant Fund

The postholder will be the first point of contact on behalf of the grant giver for new applicants and existing grantees under the grant schemes, handling a busy caseload from pre-application contact through to completion. This will involve all aspects of grant service delivery including assessment, issuing of offers and rejections, monitoring, payments, quality assurance and evaluation within the governance and decision-making framework in place for the grant schemes. The postholder will work under the supervision of the Demonstrator Churches Grants Manager and the Decarbonising Churches Lead, who will provide overall guidance and strategic oversight for the relevant grant funds, and will work closely with the Grants Administrator on operational matters.

The role will report directly to the Net Zero Carbon Programme's Decarbonising Churches Lead.

• This is a fixed-term contract due to end December 2028.
• This is a hybrid role required to attend the office location, Church House London one day per week.

Application closing date is 25 January 2026

Interviews will be taking place on 06 February 2026

• A salary of £40,572 per annum, plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.

• 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus eight bank holidays and three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time).
• We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. This is looked at in a case-by-case scenario and if this fits within the department's needs. We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
• We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.
• Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK's leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.
• Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme 
• Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
• Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
• Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.

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

Full-time 35 hours per week. 2 year's fixed term

For the right candidate we are open to flexible working terms. Hybrid working is available, office based in Gloucester

Salary Band 5 (£30,961 – 33,682) per annum depending on experience

We are looking for a highly organised, experienced and exceptional administrator to work as a trusted partner to The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Church Development Agency (CDA). The CDA is a national organisation dedicated to supporting the Church in serving its communities through the delivery of affordable housing and community development projects, established in response to the Church of England’s “Coming Home” report.  

This key role within the CDA requires a thinker who can anticipate needs, manage priorities, and support The CEO in his leadership function and ensuring effective governance. The Executive Assistant (EA) will play a pivotal role in enabling the CEO to oversee a diverse portfolio of approximately 50 affordable housing projects. Most of the work is funded by the Oak Foundation, with a focus on achieving long-term sustainability.

The ideal candidate will have:

· Demonstrable experience of working as a high-level EA support to a CEO/Senior leader or equivalent

· Excellent time management and the ability to balance numerous priorities and deadlines

· A high degree of confidentiality and flexibility

Crucially, you will love to organise and drive forward actions while building meaningful relationships and enabling social impact.  If you are looking for a stimulating role where no day is the same, this could be the perfect job for you.

Closing date is 10 am on Monday 12th January 2026

Interviews in Gloucester on Thursday 22nd January 2026

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Heritage Activity and Evaluation Consultant to support the delivery and evaluation of our tower restoration and heritage project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This role is crucial in ensuring the project meets its approved purposes and outcomes, while providing valuable insights for future development.

Scope of Work

1. We expect that the appointed Heritage Activity Consultant will deliver the following:

· Lead on the successful delivery of the heritage engagement activities as per the Project Plan to achieve The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s outcomes and approved purposes

· Lead on the promotion and publicity of the project

· Lead on the recruitment and management of volunteers

· Liaise with the project partners listed in the Project Plan, as well as any other connections that are created through the project

· Maintain high quality records of all project activities

· Submit Progress Reports and Grant Claims to the Heritage Fund

· Support the Evaluation Consultant with the evaluation of the project

2. Regular Monitoring Support

· Assist the church with the submission of The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant reports and payment claims.

· Work closely with the Heritage Activity Consultant to collect data on project events and activities, monitoring progress against agreed plans.

· Support any project reviews and help implement necessary changes.

· Provide general project support as required.

3. End-of-Project Evaluation

· Produce a comprehensive evaluation report assessing the achievement of the project’s approved purposes and outcomes.

· Document major successes and any areas that did not go as planned.

· Record changes implemented during the project.

· Identify lessons learned and make recommendations for future projects or opportunities arising from this work.

Requirements:

Essential:

· Proven experience in project evaluation, preferably within heritage or community projects.

· Familiarity with evaluation and reporting guidelines (or willingness to learn quickly).

· Strong analytical, reporting, and communication skills.

· Ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.

Desirable:

· Experience of working with project’s funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund or similar funding bodies.

· An understanding of evaluation and reporting guidance.

Closing Date: Monday 29th December 2025

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Telling the Story of St Nicholas Berden is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to raise funds to support the restoration of the tower at St Ncholas church, Berden and link this historic building to the history of the small village that it sits at the heart of. The project involves the local community in the story telling of this beautiful village whilst linking the past to the present through re-enactments, storytelling and the physical, built, environment.