Operations Development Lead

Church of England; Calthorpe Fields; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Church of England's Diocese seeks a leader to establish and sustain Support Services across Large Single Parishes, working with the Operations Development Project Officer.

The role focuses on building relationships, guiding decision‑making, and supporting Support Services Managers while ensuring progress and consistency across the diocese.

Based mostly in St James' House with some home working by agreement, and occasional weekend and evening meetings with volunteers across the diocese.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading support services within a large parish or church context.
• Ability to build relationships and facilitate decision-making.
• Experience line-managing staff and managing contractors.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction, prioritisation, and oversight for the Support Services function.
• Line manage Operations Development Project Officer and other roles.
• Line manage Churchwardens Support Officer, Digital Systems Officer and other relevant roles as required.
• Manage outsourced work and contractor relationships.
• Ensure delivery across all LSPs remains on track and aligned to programme priorities.
• Lead engagement with church leaders and local teams to understand administrative needs and facilitate decisions on Support Services models.
• Enable the change team to move from discussion to clear, agreed approaches.
• Act as the primary relationship lead for Support Services Managers and provide support to help managers lead their administrative services.
• Support the most complex or sensitive situations and escalate with the diocesan project team when needed.
• Maintain oversight of whether Support Services are functioning effectively and moving towards sustainability.
• Provide assurance to the Senior Project Manager on progress and readiness for close out.
• Leading on continuous improvement of the approach.
• Supporting programme reporting and escalation.

Job description

Fixed term until November 2027 and is mostly based in St James' House with frequent meetings in locations across the diocese, including evening meetings with volunteers. Occasional weekend meetings will be required. Some work from home by agreement, with most diocese staff working from home on Fridays.

Job Summary

Purpose of the role:

To lead and guide the establishment and sustainability of Support Services within Large Single Parishes (LSPs), working alongside a Operations Development Project Officer.

The role focuses on building relationships, facilitating decision-making, and supporting Support Services Managers, while ensuring that the overall programme progresses effectively and consistently across the diocese.

Main Responsibilities

Key tasks within this role will be:

Lead the Support Services delivery function

• Provide direction, prioritisation, and oversight for the work of the Support Services function
• Line manage Operations Development Project Officer, providing support, clarity, and development
• Line manage Churchwardens Support Officer, Digital Systems Officer and other relevant roles as required
• Manage outsourced work and contractor relationships
• Ensure delivery across all LSPs remains on track and aligned to programme priorities

Local Engagement & Decision-Making

• Lead engagement with church leaders and local teams to:
  • Understand administrative needs in the local context
  • Facilitate decisions on Support Services models
• Enable the change team to move from discussion to clear, agreed approaches

Guidance to Support Services Managers

• Act as the primary relationship lead for Support Services Managers once appointed
• Provide support and constructive challenge to help managers build confidence and capability in leading their administrative services

Handling Complexity & Risk

• Support the most complex or sensitive situations (e.g. disagreement, lack of clarity, leadership challenges)
• Work with diocesan project team where escalation or additional support is required

Oversight of Quality & Sustainability

• Maintain oversight of whether Support Services are:
  • Functioning effectively, covering key operational areas
  • Moving towards sustainability - including establishing peer network
• Provide assurance to the Senior Project Manager on progress and readiness for close out

Other responsibilities will include:

• Supporting programme reporting and escalation

Leading on continuous improvement of the approach