DAC & Pastoral Secretary

The Church of England; Guildford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

10% non-contributory pension

Life assurance 3x annual salary

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Staff Wellbeing programme

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

The Church of England Diocese of Guildford seeks an experienced governance professional to join the DAC & Pastoral Secretary role. You will lead the faculty process, oversee statutory procedures and advise on church buildings, churchyards and heritage assets to support mission and ministry across our communities.

You will work with clergy, parish representatives and heritage partners, providing expert guidance while coordinating pastoral schemes and governance across the diocese.

Qualifications

• Experience managing complex casework or statutory processes with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong governance, organisational and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to influence diverse audiences.
• Understanding of Church governance, heritage conservation or related sector advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the faculty process across the Diocese, ensuring compliance with legislation, regulations and Church of England procedures.
• Serve as Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), supporting governance and statutory responsibilities.
• Provide authoritative advice on care and management of churches, churchyards and heritage assets.
• Support parishes on building projects, conservation matters and funding opportunities.
• Lead the Diocese's work on pastoral schemes and related statutory processes.
• Act as Secretary to the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee (DMPC) and manage consultations and governance processes.
• Collaborate with senior clergy, churchwardens, Church Commissioners, legal advisers and heritage organisations.
• Support future use and management of closed church buildings and related assets.

Skills

Governance

Analytical skills

Communication

Stakeholder management

Relationship-building

Organisational skills

Education

Degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field

Job description

The Diocese of Guildford is seeking an experienced and strategic professional to join our Governance Team as DAC and Pastoral Secretary.

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in supporting the care, conservation and future development of our churches and churchyards, while also leading the governance and administration of pastoral reorganisation across the Diocese. You will work closely with clergy, parish representatives, diocesan leaders, heritage professionals, statutory bodies and the wider Church to enable mission and ministry across our communities.

As the Diocese's principal adviser on faculty matters, church buildings and pastoral processes, you will provide expert guidance, oversee statutory procedures and help ensure that our historic buildings continue to serve the worshipping life and mission of the Church for generations to come.

Some Of The Key Responsibilities Of The Role Include

• Lead and oversee the faculty process across the Diocese, ensuring compliance with legislation, regulations and Church of England procedures.
• Serve as Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), supporting its governance, decision-making and statutory responsibilities.
• Provide authoritative advice on the care and management of churches, churchyards and heritage assets.
• Support and advise parishes on building projects, conservation matters and funding opportunities.
• Lead the Diocese's work on pastoral schemes, pastoral orders and related statutory processes.
• Act as Secretary to the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee (DMPC), managing consultations, reports and governance processes.
• Work collaboratively with senior clergy, churchwardens, the Church Commissioners, legal advisers and heritage organisations.
• Support the future use and management of closed church buildings and related assets.

We are looking someone who combines technical expertise with excellent relationship-building and organisational skills. You will bring:

• A degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field such as town planning, law, estate management, architecture, building conservation, heritage management or a related discipline.
• Experience of managing complex casework, projects or statutory processes involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong governance, organisational and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to advise and influence a wide range of audiences.
• Experience of working in a professional, charitable, public sector, legal, property or heritage environment.
• An understanding of, and sympathy with, the aims and mission of the Church of England.

Knowledge of Church of England governance, faculty jurisdiction, heritage conservation or property legislation would be advantageous, although applications are welcomed from candidates with transferable experience.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for full details of the DAC & Pastoral Secretary

Benefits Of The Role Include

• Competitive salary within the Charity Sector
• A 10% non-contributory pension
• Life assurance provision of 3x annual salary
• 25 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays
• Staff Wellbeing including an employee assistance programme
• Learning and development opportunities

The Diocese take our responsibility for the safeguarding of children and adults seriously. Our recruitment processes reflect this commitment.

We believe that diversity is a strength. We actively welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities, particularly those who identify as female, younger, of a UK Minority Ethnic/Global Majority Heritage, or disabled, as it is essential that we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.