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

Lambeth Palace is a unique building of significant historical and global provenance. It is, first and foremost, the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury and their family, as well as home to a wider, diverse and thriving, residential community. It is also an office and the epicentre of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s ministry to the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion. It is a Grade I listed building comprising various listed buildings dating from the 12^th to the 20^th centuries, set within 10 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens.

Extensive refurbishment works are currently underway to the Blore Building, bringing state of the art facilities to the event spaces. A re-launch of the event spaces is being planned for 2024, upon completion of the works.

By its nature and location, Lambeth Palace is seen as an iconic statement of the values and the nature of the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and the ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury. As such, the way it is managed is essential to the witness and ministry exercised or exemplified within its boundaries. It requires flair to work well, joy to give atmosphere, peace to encourage ministry, and love to welcome guests of all kinds.

In collaboration with wider the Events Team, the Operations Manager (Hospitality)plays a key role in the setting of the tone and ethos of the practical operational extension of the Archbishop’s ministry.

The Operations Manager (Hospitality) role is sought to bring support to the Director of Events and Hospitality in the running of all events, tours, retail and guest accommodation in line with the Archbishop’s wishes. The intention continues to be the development of hospitality at Lambeth Palace, including the Lambeth Palace Library and soon to be refurbished Blore Building, Westminster in order to make these spaces more accessible to the public, increasing awareness of the Archbishop’s ministry, and generating income that can contribute to the upkeep and work of the Palace.

As Operations Manager (Hospitality) you will support the Director of Events and Hospitality with leading the day-to-day running of the hospitality operation at Lambeth Palace (up to 500 covers), and the new Lambeth Palace Library (up to 70 covers) ensuring it is fit for purpose, operates effectively, efficiently and to the highest possible standards. This includes, overseeing all internal and external catering, overseeing the hospitality and housekeeping arrangements of the Archbishop’s guest accommodation and being an operational stakeholder in the general appearance, standards and running of the Palace.

You will have a key role in all large-scale events, arranging overnight guests; visits by VIPs, and world leaders, as well as overseeing the tours and public openings of the Palace buildings and gardens. For all events and engagements you will ensure proper liaison with the staff member who has lead policy responsibility for the event, as well as other departments, stake holders and third parties to make certain all necessary support is delivered. You will assist in building relationships with clients when onsite to safeguard the smooth running of each event and to help secure repeat business. You will also support the Director of Events with operational projects.

This post is offered as a fixed term contract expected to last until the end of December 2024 (secondment cover) and will require the ability to work flexibly, particularly evenings and some weekends.

A Basic DBS check will be required.

The closing date for applications is 24 September 2023 (midnight).

Interviews will be held on 2 October 2023.

The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. This is a priority for the Archbishops. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minority Ethnic Backgrounds and disabled people.

We offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.

The Role

Hospitality

• To lead the management of the practical hospitality operation at Lambeth Palace and the new Lambeth Palace Library, ensuring it is fit for purpose, operates effectively, efficiently, to the highest possible standards, contributes to, and is aligned with, the agreed strategic direction of the Archbishop’s ministry and supports the ethos and heritage of Lambeth Palace.
• To manage the Hospitality Operations Team on a day to day basis, ensuring it is well led, adequately resourced, motivated, resilient, trained, operating to the highest possible standards and imbued with a sense of importance of its contribution to the Archbishop’s ministry.
• To have strategic oversight in the delivery of the Palace’s busy building and events diary, taking into account and coordinating between the Archbishop’s diary, the needs and responsibilities of other Palace departments, the Palace’s residents, visitors and guests.
• To hold a key role in the relationship between the Archbishop’s Spouse, their office and the hospitality operation, ensuring that the balance is maintained between the Palace being an official residence, a workplace, an events venue and a home.
• To lead and advise on key elements of the hospitality operation relating to protocol and the Palace’s use and purpose as an official residence. Liaising with internal policy leads and stakeholders to make certain that the Palace always remains respectful, appropriate and accessible at all levels, whilst observing and developing traditions, protocols and procedures.
• To assist with the business development and strategic forward planning of the events operation at Lambeth Palace and the new Lambeth Palace Library.
• To be an ‘Ambassador’ for the Archbishop, their household, the hospitality department and the wider operation at Lambeth Palace, when meeting or hosting guests, or when occasionally called upon to escort the Archbishop or their spouse on an engagement.
• To represent the Palace at appropriate forums, both internal and externally.
• When the Palace reopens, manage and co-ordinate the Archbishop’s Guest Accommodation, including running its diary, corresponding with overnight guests, effectively communicating and reporting the accommodation’s requirements with the Housekeeping and Facilities teams; ensuring every guest has the most appropriate and welcoming experience.
• To oversee the continual review and development of standard operating procedures and policies.
• To ensure the Hospitality Team is proactive in its communication and coordination with key stakeholders (internal and external), especially those that interface most regularly with the hospitality operation.
• To ensure that the hospitality operation at Lambeth Palace is fully compliant with all its statutory obligations.
• To assist with the management of the Lambeth Palace volunteers by ensuring that standards set in the handbook are adhered to and updated regularly to ensure a proactive approach updating tour content to make them relevant to Archbishop of Canterbury’s Ministry.
• To lead the monthly diary and menu planning meeting between the Hospitality team and the Archbishop’s Spouse.
• Ensuring effective communication, information sharing and coordination with the Archbishop’s spouse, family and other residents (as appropriate) on the hospitality operation at Lambeth Palace.
• To assist in the development of the new event space in the Lambeth Palace Library (separate building) and promote the venue to appropriate partners.

The Requirements

Essential

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a confident and helpful manner as the senior ‘front of house’ person for the Palace.
• Strong strategic outlook, seeing the bigger picture and how to operate within it.
• Having sufficient personal confidence to influence people; to deal tactfully and effectively with people at all levels; and to negotiate commercially advantageous deals.
• Proactive, able to go out to create new contacts and find business.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent organisational skills: planning, prioritising, managing records and financial information.
• Able to multi-task and work to tight deadlines.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Substantial experience of events management experience, with good client relationships.
• Experience of organising high-profile and complex and highly professional events for large numbers of people.
• Experience of leading, managing and motivating staff and sub-contractors and/or volunteers, and of working in a larger team.
• An enthusiasm for history, for working in a building of great historical significance and a willingness to learn and absorb the history of Lambeth Palace.
• Experience of public speaking.
• Ability to pitch to potential clients with confidence.

Personal Attributes:

• A sympathy with and an interest in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s ministry.

Circumstances:

• Able to work flexibly, particularly evenings and some weekends
• A basic DBS check will be conducted

Education:

• Degree or equivalent demonstrable experience of professional standards.

Desirable

Education:

• Degree or equivalent in Hospitality, or Institute of Hospitality Advanced Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Use of IT packages for presentations

Knowledge/Experience:

• Project management.
• Management of, or working on a Private Estate or in an Official Residence.
• Knowledge of Health and safety.
• An understanding of catering and hospitality in other cultures, faiths and traditions.
• An understanding of protocol and ‘Correct Form of Address’.

In the National Church Institutions (NCIs), we support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. We work with parishes, dioceses, schools, chaplaincies and other ministries, and with national and international partners including mission agencies, and other denominations and faith groups.-.

Find out more about working for the National Church Institutions by visiting Careers | The Church of England

NCI values

• We strive for excellence
• We collaborate
• We act with integrity
• We show compassion
• We respect others

We welcome everyone and we accept and value people for who they are and what they contribute, treating others in the way we would wish to be treated ourselves. We actively listen to and include others, encouraging and enabling everyone’s voice to be heard in discussions and decisions. When we disagree, we aim to disagree well with respect and kindness.

We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people. 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. If there is anything we can do to support you in your application please get in touch via email to hr.recruitment@churchofengland.org.

• As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.
• We are a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.