Chief Operating Officer

Liverpool Cathedral; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension scheme

25 days’ annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Liverpool Cathedral is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to provide senior leadership across strategy, people, finance, operations and governance. You will translate ambitious goals into clear plans, secure financial resilience and shape an effective, collaborative culture within Cathedral Chapter.

The role partners with the Dean and Diocese, supports safeguarding, risk management and compliant governance, and leads change during a period of organisational development.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in complex organisations.
• Experience translating strategy into practical delivery plans.
• Ability to develop and empower senior teams.
• Strong governance, accountability and compliance knowledge.
• Experience with safeguarding, risk management and assurance.
• Proven track record in partnerships and collaboration.
• Understanding of charity governance and heritage assets.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and organisational development: lead the business plan and change thoughtfully.
• Leadership, people and culture: develop a senior team and foster collaboration.
• Governance, risk and compliance: provide assurance and effective reporting.
• Safeguarding: champion a positive safeguarding culture across Cathedral life.
• Operations: oversee safe, well-planned Cathedral operations and continuity.
• Financial sustainability and commercial development: support long-term planning and fundraising.
• Fabric and estate governance and capital planning.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy development

Governance & compliance

Financial planning

Organisational change

People management

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

About Liverpool Cathedral

Liverpool Cathedral is first and foremost a place of Christian worship, prayer, welcome and mission. It is also Britain’s largest cathedral, a major visitor destination, a centre for music and culture, and an important civic institution.

More than 700,000 people cross our threshold each year. Our work brings together worship, heritage, education, community engagement, hospitality and commercial activity, all supporting the Cathedral’s mission and purpose.

We want the Cathedral to flourish spiritually, culturally, socially and financially. We are appointing a dedicated Chief Operating Officer to provide the additional leadership capacity needed to support our mission, ministry and long-term future.

About the role

As the Cathedral’s senior lay executive, the Chief Operating Officer will provide leadership and coordination across its operational life, working in close partnership with the Dean and within the governance framework of Cathedral Chapter.

You will bring together strategy, people, finance, operations, governance and commercial delivery, translating the Cathedral’s ambitions into clear plans and sustainable results.

This is an important period of organisational development and change. You will help ensure that our structures, resources and ways of working support our mission and priorities, while strengthening operational effectiveness, financial resilience and a positive, healthy organisational culture.

Our close partnership with the Diocese will continue. You will work with the Diocesan Secretary and colleagues across both organisations to ensure that shared services remain effective and responsive to changing needs.

Key responsibilities

Strategy and organisational development

Support the Dean and Senior Executive Team in implementing the Cathedral’s agreed vision and strategic priorities. Lead the development and delivery of the business plan, establish effective planning and review arrangements, and lead organisational change thoughtfully and collaboratively.

Leadership, people and culture

Provide warm, visible and accessible leadership. Develop an effective senior team, empower managers and foster collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement. Work with HR colleagues to support staff development, wellbeing, inclusion and effective workforce planning.

Governance, risk and compliance

Support Chapter with clear advice, information and assurance. Maintain effective governance, reporting and delegated authorities, and ensure appropriate arrangements for legal and regulatory compliance, risk management, audit and policy.

Safeguarding

Champion a positive safeguarding culture throughout Cathedral life. Work closely with the Cathedral Safeguarding Officer, Safeguarding Team, Diocese and Chapter to ensure effective governance, assurance and compliance, and appropriate escalation of concerns.

Operations

Provide executive oversight of safe, effective and well-planned Cathedral operations. Improve systems and processes, monitor performance and ensure robust arrangements for security, business continuity and emergency planning.

Financial sustainability and commercial development

Work with the Chief Finance Officer and senior colleagues on long-term financial sustainability, financial planning and sound stewardship. Work collaboratively with the Director of Enterprise and Enterprise Board to ensure commercial activity supports worship, mission, visitor experience and wider Cathedral priorities. Support income diversification and the conditions for successful fundraising.

Fabric and estate management

Work with the Clerk of Works, Cathedral Architect and specialist advisers to oversee estate and fabric governance, maintenance, conservation and capital planning, including statutory responsibilities and environmental sustainability.

Cathedral and Diocese partnership

Maintain constructive relationships with diocesan colleagues and ensure shared-service arrangements have clear priorities, responsibilities and expectations.

External relationships

Develop effective relationships with church, civic, heritage, regulatory and funding partners, supporting partnerships that further the Cathedral’s mission and strategic priorities.

About you

You will bring significant senior leadership experience across a range of functions within a complex organisation, including experience in a mission-led, public-benefit, cultural, heritage, faith or similarly values-driven setting.

You will have experience of:

• Leading organisational development and change, bringing people with you.
• Translating strategic priorities into practical delivery plans.
• Developing senior teams and empowering others.
• Financial planning, budget management and performance monitoring.
• Strong governance and accountability arrangements.
• Safeguarding, risk management, compliance and assurance.
• Leading multidisciplinary teams through specialist colleagues.
• Improving organisational systems and building effective partnerships.
• You will understand charity governance, organisational development, financial sustainability and the responsibilities involved in caring for significant buildings and heritage assets.
• An excellent communicator and listener, you will combine strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will be warm, approachable, collaborative and calm, able to navigate competing priorities, exercise sound judgement and make difficult decisions when necessary.
• Commitment to the Cathedral’s Christian mission and values, safeguarding, integrity and inclusion is essential.
• Experience of shared services, commercial activity, income diversification, fundraising, heritage estates, capital project governance and working with volunteers is desirable.

Terms

• £70,000 annual salary.
• Permanent, full-time appointment, employed by Liverpool Cathedral Chapter.
• Normal working hours of 35 per week.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank/public holidays.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Three-month probationary period.
• Three-month notice period on either side.
• The role is based at Liverpool Cathedral, with a strong emphasis on being visible and present within Cathedral life. Some flexibility in working arrangements may be possible. Occasional evening and weekend working and attendance at key Cathedral services and events will be required.
• Appointment is subject to appropriate pre-employment and safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check.

Applications close Sunday 1 November 2026.

We are committed to a welcoming, inclusive and diverse working environment and encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and experiences.