Executive Assistant to the Diocesan Secretary

The Diocesan Secretary leads our team of diocesan staff based at Peninsular House. Working closely with the Bishop of Portsmouth and the Bishops Staff team, Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod the Diocesan Secretary provides strategic oversight of the Portsmouth Diocesan Board of Finance.

The purpose of the role of Executive Assistant to the Diocesan Secretary is to provide support to the Diocesan Secretary in the discharge of their duties; to ensure that staff and visitors are treated with hospitable warmth and efficiency and that all core functions are discharged to the highest standard.

The Diocesan Secretary looks to appoint a personable and efficient colleague with an enquiring mind, a proactive approach, good relational skills, and proven administrative competence.

The arrival of a new Bishop in 2022 has created the opportunity to reshape the team at Peninsular House so that it better reflects and facilitates the purpose, values, and strategic direction of the Diocese.

The office team includes Safeguarding, teams that care for Clergy Housing, Churches and the Diocesan Office, Parish Support Staff, and Mission related functions.

The Executive Assistant to the Diocesan Secretary's main responsibilities are:

• To provide appropriate support as requested by the Diocesan Secretary in exercise of their duties;
• Provide oversight to ensure the effective day to day running of the Diocesan Secretary’s office, ensuring that all key functions of the office are delivered to the highest possible standard;
• To ensure that all contact with the Diocesan Secretary’s office, whether through a personal visit, telephone call or correspondence is dealt with in a timely, courteous, and efficient manner;
• To ensure that the Diocesan Secretary’s office has the capacity to be flexible and innovative to meet new developing needs of the Diocese;
• To support the office staff when required, to that end enabling the creation of a positive team and a learning culture;
• To identify possible areas for development and change;
• To liaise with the Communications Adviser with regards to announcements and information to ensure all posted content remains relevant and reflective of the diocesan values.

Terms of Employment:

• Salary: £28,000 - £31,710 per annum.
• Pension.
• 35 hours per week (9am to 5pm) with a one hour lunch break. Some flexibility on the pattern of working and remote working is possible by negotiation.
• 25 days paid annual leave per year

If you wish to have an informal discussion please do contact the Diocesan Secretary on philip.poulter@portsmouth.anglican.org to arrange.