Diocesan Secretary/Chief Executive

Diocese of Peterborough; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional church organization in Peterborough seeks a Diocesan Secretary/Chief Executive to lead mission and ministry initiatives. This role includes shaping strategy, developing staff, and managing resources. The ideal candidate is a committed Christian with strong operational and financial management skills. This position offers significant opportunities to impact the community positively.

Qualifications

• Track record of successful strategic and operational leadership in complex environments.
• Experience in developing and empowering staff.
• Comfortable with financial decision making.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Bishop to shape and implement the diocese's vision and strategy.
• Develop a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Manage relationships across the diocese.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational management

Financial acumen

Team building

Christian faith commitment

Job description

The Diocese of Peterborough is the Church of England for the 348 parishes and 379 churches covering Northamptonshire, the northern part of Peterborough and the county of Rutland. Peterborough Cathedral is our mother church. With around 200 clergy and a similar number of lay ministers, we serve a population of just under a million people. As a diocese, we are on a journey to rediscover God’s mission call for us as we serve the communities where we live and work. We are at the early stages of developing a missional strategy which will shape our structures, our finances and our priorities. Over the last 18 months much has been done to identify the areas where we need to bring change and we have begun that process. The diocese is in good heart and there is energy and appetite for the direction of travel. We hope to have our new governance structure in place in 2026 and are confident that we have good people who can take on responsibilities as trustees.

The role of theDiocesan Secretary/Chief Executive plays a critical part in the life of the mission and ministry in the region as a steward of our resources and a leader of our staff team. Through this period of change, you will be a key partner to the Bishop in shaping and implementing this vision and strategy, as well as ensuring that our people and resources are managed and aligned to support the day-to-day mission and ministry of the diocese. Across a broad operational portfolio, you will ensure that the diocese is served by cohesive and robust support from the central team. You will develop a high-performing and collaborative culture in which our staff flourish, and manage a range of relationships across the diocese with influence and regular engagement.

For this key role, we are looking for a committed Christian* able to bring a track record of successful strategic and operational leadership in complex environments. Your leadership will be marked by success in managing across a variety of functions in a collaborative and nurturing manner, with a track record of developing and empowering staff. You will be comfortable using your financial acumen to shape and support strategic decision making and have experience of delivering results within an environment where complex governance and deep rooted values are the norm.

This is an exciting time for Diocese of Peterborough and the impact you could have here is significant. For further information on this exciting opportunity, and for an informal discussion about your suitability, please visit our recruitment partners, GatenbySanderson, via the Apply button.

* It is an occupational requirement in accordance with schedule 9 paragraph 1 of the Equality Act for the holder of this role to be a practising Christian.

Closing date: 17:00 on Monday 8th December