Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons

HOUSE OF COMMONS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious parliamentary institution seeks an ordained Priest to serve as Chaplain to the Speaker. This role involves providing spiritual leadership, overseeing significant ceremonies, and offering pastoral support to the parliamentary community. Candidates should possess a blend of spiritual depth, exceptional communication skills, and experience in public engagement. Benefits include generous leave, a pension scheme, and flexible working options.

Benefits

30-35 days annual leave

Excellent Civil Service pension scheme

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Ordained Priest of the Church of England in good standing.
• Demonstrated ability to provide compassionate and professional pastoral care.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering inclusive services.

Responsibilities

• Guide moments of prayer, reflection, and ceremony.
• Oversee services at the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft.
• Shape Parliament's moments of reflection and commemoration.

Skills

Compassionate pastoral care

Public and faith-led engagement

Planning and organisational skills

Strong communication skills

Experience officiating key life events

Judgement and discretion

Education

Ordained Priest of the Church of England

Job description

What you'll be doing

Every day is different, from giving prayers in the Chamber and supporting Members and staff through significant life events to leading joyful Christmas carol festivities, this role brings the parliament community together.

As Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, you will serve at the spiritual heart of the House of Commons, guiding moments of prayer, reflection and ceremony that shape the daily and historic life of the nation. This rare and prestigious post blends liturgical leadership with pastoral ministry, offering both the solemnity of leading prayers in the Chamber and the privilege of supporting Members, staff, and the wider parliamentary community through life's most significant moments.

Working within the Speaker's Office, the Chaplain helps shape Parliament's collective moments of reflection and commemoration, from Holocaust Memorial Day and Commonwealth Day to Christmas. In partnership with Westminster Abbey, you will also oversee services in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, a Royal Peculiar, and play a key part in maintaining its spiritual and historical legacy.

This role comes with 3-bedroom accommodation in Central London, close to the Parliamentary Estate.

Find out more about working at the House of Commons.

Why Join us?

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including but not limited to:

• Generous annual leave starting at 30 days and increasing to 35 after one full working year.
• Enrolment in the excellent Civil Service pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Flexible working options that help you find a balance including enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave, caring leave and alternative working patterns.

What we're looking for.

We're looking for an ordained Priest of the Church of England (in good standing) who combines spiritual depth with excellent communication, diplomacy and emotional intelligence. You'll also bring the following skills/experience:

• Demonstrated ability to provide compassionate and professional pastoral care to a diverse community, with a sound understanding of safeguarding principles.
• Proven experience in public and faith-led engagement, designing and delivering inclusive services and ceremonies for audiences of varied faiths and beliefs.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, able to balance multiple priorities and manage complex events with attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders and drafting clear, accurate correspondence and materials.
• Experience preparing for and officiating at baptisms, weddings, and other key life events.
• Comfortable working independently and proactively, exercising sound judgement and discretion without the structure of a parish setting.

Next Steps and Additional Information

• Application Form - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 2-6 in the Job Description.

More information on the application process can be found here: Application process - UK Parliament

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

We may close the vacancy prior to the closing date stated due to a high volume of applications.

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