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Asylum Matters is looking for a dynamic campaigner & policy manager committed to upholding the rights of people seeking asylum in Yorkshire & Humber and across the UK at a critical time.

Asylum Matters plays a significant role in working towards positive change for refugees and people seeking asylum. We are a small team based around the UK, working locally and nationally with an extensive network of partners to advocate for progressive change in the asylum system. We work with frontline organisations and people with lived experience across the UK on a range of issues that affect people in the asylum system. The Yorkshire & Humber Campaigns & Policy Manager will work with the grass roots organisations and established Asylum, Refugee and Migrants rights organisations across Yorkshire and Humber, and the amazing lived experience campaigners to drive change locally. They will also provide specialist policy resource to Asylum Matters nationally, sitting across our four national campaigns around asylum justice, accommodation, asylum support and working rights. Helping us respond to government policy proposals and develop and support our sectors approach to a progressive asylum system.

We are a facilitator of collaboration and joint action. Our work helps strengthen collective advocacy on asylum reform and ensures it is informed by the reality on the ground. We are rooted in communities and committed to playing our full part in shifting the narrative around asylum, and helping our communities develop their resilience and solidarity with people seeking asylum at the forefront of our work.

The successful candidate will work in partnership with local organisations and networks in Yorkshire & Humber to develop and implement strategies for achieving change locally and nationally. They will have experience of developing and delivering impactful campaigns that have achieved change. They will hold extensive experience in analysing and shaping asylum policy and support the policy work of Asylum Matters Nationally. They will be an effective communicator, able to build strong partnerships and work collaboratively with partners. They will be proactive, able to spot influencing opportunities and quickly mobilise support to respond to them. They will have a commitment to the vision of a fairer and more effective asylum system, and to empowering and working with those with direct experience of it.

We are particularly keen to hear from people with lived experience of the UK asylum system, anyone with lived experience who meets the essential criteria will be granted an interview.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Application Instructions

Please submit your current CV, plus a supporting statement that details how you have the experience to meet the essential criteria within the Job Pack attached. Please note we don’t accept general covering letters, failure to submit a supporting statement that details how you meet each of the 8 essential criteria will disqualify your application.

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £65,000 per annum

Hours per week: 35 hours

Annual Leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays

Role Description

The COO is the Cathedral’s principal member of staff and has responsibility for the overall operational performance and administration of the organisation, its assets and its people. Appointed by the Chapter and accountable to them through the Dean, the COO works with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to develop and implement strategy and policy, ensure effective governance and compliance, manage the business functions of the Cathedral and monitor its overall progress and development.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development of the Cathedral’s overall strategy to reflect the Cathedral’s Vision and Values.
• Ensure the effective implementation of the Cathedral’s masterplan and successfully deliver outcomes through the effective performance management of goals and objectives.
• Secure financial sustainability, achieve growth and optimise the efficient use of resources through effective short, medium and long term planning.

Safeguarding

• Work closely with the Dean, the Cathedral Safeguarding Committee, Chapter Safeguarding Lead and the Safeguarding Officer to develop and deliver the Cathedral’s safeguarding strategy.
• Act as a role model in upholding safeguarding policies and embedding a healthy safeguarding culture across Cathedral life.
• Negotiate, implement and continually review the Service Level Agreement with the Diocesan Board of Finance and the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.
• Ensure compliance with current safeguarding legislation and national guidance, fostering an environment where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Staff and Volunteers

• Ensure recruitment, training and HR management of staff and volunteers adhere to the Safer Recruitment policies of the Church of England and meet the needs of the Cathedral.
• Develop a workplace culture and ethos that reflects the Cathedral’s values and enables and empowers staff and volunteers.
• Act as a role model for effective people management, supporting, developing, and constructively challenging others while encouraging continuous professional development.
• Foster a collegiate, open, and collaborative environment across the Cathedral.
• Champion diversity and inclusivity within the Cathedral community, providing opportunity and support for all.

Cathedral Compliance and Operational Management

• Ensure the effective running and forward planning of Chapter and other governance committees, including compliance with the Constitution and Statutes.
• Ensure trustees and others in governance positions are properly inducted and trained including in safeguarding.
• Ensure that the Cathedral meets all legislative regulations and complies with ecclesiastical and charity laws.
• Be accountable for reporting to the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Work with the Chief Finance Officer to ensure that the strategic plan is supported by a robust, multi-year financial plan aligned with long-term objectives.
• Work with the Visitor Experience Manager to increase income generation, establishing a growth plan with the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Project.
• Work with the Architect and Facilities Manager to ensure the Cathedral meets its statutory and legal obligations relating to heritage, ecclesiastical and listed buildings in its care.
• Work with the Facilities Manager to ensure the Cathedral meets its statutory and legal requirements in relation to its properties and responsibilities as a landlord.
• Ensure effective management of Health and Safety across the Cathedral ensuring compliance with statutory legislation and best practice; ensure emergency procedures are up to date.
• Ensure all data is protected and processed in full compliance with GDPR legislation.
• Ensure that the Cathedral is complies with all legal requirements, interpreting and communicating changes in compliance to the Chapter and Cathedral staff.
• Support the Church of England’s Net Zero targets and ensure the Cathedral has a plan for reducing carbon emissions; adhering to statutory requirements relating to Net Zero.
• Ensure suitable IT provision is in place, to support Cathedral operations, is secure and regularly review software and hardware requirements.
• Work with the Marketing & Communications Manager to oversee public relations, ensuring appropriate management of reputation, branding, and media activities; act as Cathedral spokesperson as appropriate.
• Review working methods, office accommodation and administration support to ensure arrangements are fit for purpose.
• Promote open and transparent ways of working throughout the administration, with effective communication and engagement at all levels.
• Oversee the effective planning and management of key projects and the implementation of delivery programmes to achieve operational and strategic objectives.
• Support the Dean in managing relationships with the 1327 Club.
• Ensure the effective management, use and future development of all the Cathedral’s assets.
• Be responsible for contingency planning, including the management of insurance, disaster recovery and salvage planning and oversee the Cathedral’s risk register.
• Develop for approval, maintain and regularly review policy and procedure documents of Chapter and ensuring they are embedded across the organisation.
• Chair staff and management meetings.
• Manage the business operations of the Cathedral in accordance with the values, standards and budgets agreed by Chapter.
• Lead, manage, motivate and empower staff and volunteer teams through effective structures, training and professional relationships.

Direct Reports

• Chief Finance Officer
• Cathedral Safeguarding Officer
• Human Resources Officer
• Visitor Experience Manager
• Volunteer Manager
• Marketing and Communications Manager
• Facilities Manager
• Shop Manager
• Pilgrims’ Kitchen Manager

Attendance Required at:

• Chapter Meetings
• Finance Committee
• Nominations Committee
• Risk, Audit and Review Committee
• Safeguarding Committee
• Health and Safety Committee
• Information Protection Group
• The Guild of St Edmund Committee
• Forum
• Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)
• Enterprises Ltd Meetings
• Eco St Eds Committee
• Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn CIO
• Cathedral Administration and Finance
• Association (CAFA)conferences

Person Specification

Essential Qualities

• A proven track record of strategic leadership with successful
• delivery of projects and outcomes within an organisation of a similar size and complexity.
• Experience of working at board level or closely with boards.
• Significant leadership capability, with the ability to influence, inspire, and engage the Cathedral Community and external stakeholders.
• An empowering management style that fosters teamwork, trust and collaboration, with a strong understanding of HR best practice.
• Successful experience of leading significant change and of fostering a culture of continuous improvement and development within a complex organisational environment.
• Proven experience in managing operational performance within tight financial constraints in a complex, multi-faceted environment.
• Effective delivery of financial strategy and budget management, demonstrating strong commercial acumen.
• An understanding of safeguarding and the critical role it plays in protecting all people.

Desirable Qualities

• Previous experience as a COO or at a similar senior leadership level.
• An understanding of the complexities in managing wide-ranging cathedral operations or previous experience within a Church of England setting.
• A good understanding of best practice in charity governance.
• Experience of managing a heritage site.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience in safeguarding best practice.

Knowledge and skills

• Ability to understand complex operational issues and develop creative and innovative solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to share information effectively at all levels internally and externally.
• Commitment to working efficiently and effectively, utilising technology and software as appropriate.
• Ability to develop and encourage a strong team ethos among staff and volunteers.
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgment.
• Experience of managing budgets.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage comfortably with all users of the Cathedral.

Other criteria

• Empathy with the beliefs and ethos of the Christian faith.
• Comfortable working within a team of staff and clergy with a range of different skills and gifts, understanding their different roles and working patterns.
• Commitment to the Cathedral’s purpose and vision, and to taking an active role in the Cathedral’s community, mission and outreach.
• A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this post. The appointment is subject to a six-month probation period.

Additional Information

The role requires the post-holder to work occasional weekends, evenings and non-working days, as required for which time off in lieu will be given. The post-holder will undertake such other duties as may reasonably be expected. This document is accurate at time of publication but is subject to regular review and may change in line with the Cathedral’s requirements.

Closing Date: 9.00 am Monday 3 July 2026

Interviews: Wednesday 12 August 2026