At the Diocese of Manchester, we're blessed to be served by three bishops. The Bishop of Manchester is the diocesan or most senior bishop, responsible for oversight of the whole diocese. The diocese is also served by the Bishop of Bolton and the Bishop of Middleton, who oversee parishes in different archdeaconries and are responsible for particular areas of work that contribute to the diocesan vision.

This post offers an exciting opportunity for a well-organised, adaptable and professional individual to join the Bishop of Middleton's staff team.

The Bishop of Middleton is seeking a well-organised, adaptable and professional individual to join his staff team.

The Bishop's PA is a key person in the life of the Diocese in general and at the Bishop of Middleton’s Office in particular. The post holder is the first point of contact for the Bishop's Office and ensures that work for, and conducted in the name of the Bishop of Middleton is done to a high standard and in a manner conducive to the Bishop's style of working.

The postholder will be expected to prioritise all mail and messages, to organise the Bishop’s diary, to produce draft replies and/or briefing papers as appropriate, to ensure that communication and paperwork around Bishop’s appointments is produced in a timely manner and, in general, to ensure that the Bishop is properly resourced and supported in his work.

The successful candidate will be an experienced PA with the ability to handle a varied and changing workload within an office environment where no two days are the same. They will be a skilled organiser and communicator who is comfortable with dealing with a diverse range of people, including clergy, laity and members of the community. The postholder will need absolute discretion in dealing with confidential, personal information and be able to work in a pastorally sensitive way.

You will be based at the Bishop of Middleton’s Office, 504 Manchester Road, Rochdale OL11 3HE working 35 hours per week, however a flexible approach will be needed including the willingness to travel to meetings within the Diocese.

Please see the job description attached below for full details of the role and requirements.

For more information please contact jobs@manchester.anglican.org.

The closing date for applications is 9am, Monday 22^nd May 2023.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 31^st May 2023 at the Bishop’s Office, 504 Manchester Road, Rochdale OL11 3HE.

Benefits include 25 days’ annual leave per leave year, plus public holidays and 3 additional allocated Church days, plus automatic enrolment into the Church of England Pension Builder 2014 scheme which offers competitive employer contributions.

Key Tasks

Office Duties

• Use own initiative in responding to telephone enquiries – providing information, using judgement in directing calls and ensuring that appropriate information is brought to the Bishop’s attention
• Arrange confirmations in conjunction with the Bishop of Manchester’s Office and licensing dates for clergy with the relevant Archdeacon’s Office
• Take a proactive approach towards managing the Bishop’s diary and schedule, with the programme agreed
• Manage those parts of the administrative process of vacancies and appointments which fall within the remit of the Bishop’s Office, in conjunction with the Bishop of Manchester’s Office and the Archdeacons’ Offices
• Work closely with the Bishop and other members of the Bishop’s Leadership Team, including Area Deans, and particularly with the Archdeacons of Manchester and Rochdale
• Organise and maintain filing systems
• Ensure that the Bishop has all the necessary paperwork in advance of meetings and engagements
• Make arrangements for the Bishop’s travel, including providing maps and directions
• Approve replenishment of stationery stock
• Prepare PowerPoint presentations, service orders and other resources required

Budget

• Manage the Bishop’s working expenses using good judgement
• Make general decisions about the budget and have accountability for spending where the Bishop is signatory
• Be familiar with the financial system for budgeting and monitoring of the expenses required to run the Bishop’s Office (including maintenance of spread-sheets, recoding expenditure and budgets for the Church Commissioners)

Other duties

• Welcome visitors to the Bishop’s Office and ensure that they are dealt with in a polite and courteous manner
• Assist where necessary in the making and serving of refreshments to visitors
• Attend meetings, special services and social events, as agreed with the Bishop
• Ensure that sensitive information is stored in a suitable, confidential manner and that all confidential matters are respected
• Other duties broadly in line with these from time to time, as instructed by the Bishop and those he nominates
• Undertake training, as required

The role of a Bishop is extremely diverse and the PA appointed will need to be responsive to the demands of the Bishop’s ministry, and complement it.

Person Specification

Essential

Experience

• Experience of working in an administrative capacity in an office environment

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent communications skills (verbal and written), including good telephone skills
• Proficient IT skills including strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (particularly Word and Outlook) and ability to use databases to search and record work
• Numeracy skills
• Total discretion in handling confidential material
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to deal tactfully and sympathetically with the laity and clergy in the Diocese
• Ability to work on own initiative and develop new systems
• Knowledge of the structures of the Church of England (or willingness to learn)
• An appreciation of the diverse communities in the Diocese

Qualifications

• Educated to A-Level standard or equivalent

Personal Qualities

• Sympathy with the aims and values of the Church of England
• Sensitivity to the Bishop’s Office also being the home of the Bishop

Work-related Circumstances

• Able to work flexibly
• Willingness to travel to meetings within the Diocese
• Willingness to undertake training as required

The Diocese of Manchester is the Church of England in Bolton, Bury, Leigh, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, and parts of Rossendale, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford. To find out more about the unique make-up of the diocese and its diverse activities, please visit our website: www.manchester.anglican.org