Personal Assistant to the Bishop of Exeter

The Church of England; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A national religious organization is seeking a highly organized Personal Assistant to support the Bishop of Exeter. This role includes managing the Bishop's diary, correspondence, and financial matters while ensuring smooth office operations. The ideal candidate will have experience in senior-level PA support, strong IT skills, and the ability to prioritize tasks efficiently. A salary of £30,307 per annum plus benefits such as 25 days of annual leave and pension contributions are offered. Closing date for applications is 7th January 2026.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Enhanced Family Friendly Programme

Access to Occupational Health

Health cash plan services

Qualifications

• Experience of senior-level PA support, including complex diary management.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously, sometimes to tight schedules.
• Confident and competent in the use of MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional diary support to the Bishop.
• Manage correspondence and record-keeping.
• Finance management and maintain the Palace.

Skills

Senior-level PA support

Diary management

IT proficiency (MS Office)

Job description

We are seeking a highly organised, emotionally intelligent, and proactive Personal Assistant to support the Bishop of Exeter in his ministry and leadership across the Diocese. This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to work closely with a senior Church of England leader, providing executive support and helping to shape the effectiveness of his work.

About the Role

The Personal Assistant will provide professional and proactive diary support to the Bishop of Exeter. To deal promptly and efficiently with the Bishop's paper-based and electronic filing and correspondence. To support the smooth running of the Bishop's office through accurate and timely administration. To be an effective and welcoming first point of contact for the Bishop.

Key Responsibilities

• Diary Management
• Correspondence and record-keeping
• Finance Management

Take lead responsibility for the maintenance of the Palace and Gatehouse: Manage any issues arising and consult with the Managing Agent (Savills) and the Church Commissioners.

Modelling and prioritising welcome and hospitality, including providing refreshments and appropriate hosting as necessary to those meeting the Bishop or attending an event at the Palace, being prepared to take a share in the routine tasks of office life.

Promoting positive working relationships will all areas of diocesan life, including linking and developing excellent working relationships with colleagues in the diocesan office at the Old Deanery and in the Cathedral.

Working and co-ordinating closely with other Palace staff, ensuring a professional and efficient approach to work.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience of senior-level PA support, including complex diary management, or demonstrable experience of administrative leadership shown in another profession.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously, sometimes to tight schedules.
• Experience in managing and prioritising a varied workload effectively.
• Confident and competent in the use of IT, with good working knowledge of MS Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and SharePoint.

Key Requirements

• This is an office-based position at The Palace Gatehouse, Palace Gate, Exeter EX1 1HX. On site, city centre car-parking is provided.
• Hybrid working for a day a week will be considered.

Your Salary

• A salary of £30,307 per annum and pro-rated if working part-time, plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.

Your Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus eight bank holidays.
• We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave.
• Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK’s leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.

Closing date for application will be 7th January 2026.

Interviews will take place on 3rd February 2026 at The Palace Gatehouse, Palace Gate, Exeter EX1 1HX.

ABOUT NATIONAL CHURCH INSTITUTIONS

The National Church Institutions comprises a wide variety of teams, professions and functions that support the mission and ministries of the Church of England in its vision to be a church, centred on Jesus Christ, for the whole nation - a church that is simpler, humbler, bolder.

We Include. You Belong.

Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they belong and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

Living out our values in all that we do, we :

• Strive for Excellence
• Show Compassion
• Respect others
• Collaborate
• Act with Integrity

We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward. The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith. We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you.

Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for the role.