This is a senior support post of essential importance to allow the Dean, Chief Operating Officer, Chapter and committees to develop and maintain an effective system of governance for the Cathedral with adherence to the highest standards of good governance practice.
The role includes supporting the Chief Operating Officer with returns, reports and filings for statutory bodies including the Charity Commission, Information Commissioner’s Office, HSE, the Parish and Companies House, and providing comprehensive administrative support for Chapter and its statutory committees such as the Finance Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee. The post holder will work across Cathedral teams to ensure robust compliance and risk management.
Qualifications and Experience
- Governance processes
- Working with and administrating databases
- Broad understanding of legal frameworks (e.g. data protection laws), regulatory requirements, risk management principles, and internal audit processes
Personal Attributes
- A proactive problem solver
- Highly efficient and organised
- Enthusiastic for the Cathedral’s overall vision and values, and sympathetic to the Christian faith
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Act as the Whistleblowing Officer and assist in the working of the Whistleblowing Policy
- Maintain the declarations of interest and gift registry records
- Assist the COO in keeping a log of complaints under the Complaints Policy
- Lead the coordination, preparation, planning and follow-up for meetings and other committee work associated with the governance of the Cathedral including Chapter, Finance Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, and Nominations Committee
- Arrange and manage the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) and parish clerking duties
- Assist the COO with returns, reports and filings for statutory bodies, the Cathedral’s insurers, Association of English Cathedrals, etc.
- Assist the Dean and COO in their governance responsibilities under the Care of Cathedrals Measure 2021
- Support the COO in the coordination of risk management and Health and Safety Compliance across the organisation
- Support data protection compliance across the organisation, working with the Cathedral’s GDPR consultants
- Secretariat support for the Health, Safety and Security Committee meetings
- Develop, monitor and review Cathedral policies and systems to ensure compliance and best practice
- Work with the Cathedral HR team to devise and monitor a regular training schedule to ensure best practice and compliance
- Assist the Cathedral Safeguarding Officer where needed with administration, DBS checks and training requirements and records
Southwark Cathedral is committed to being an Equal Opportunities Employer. We believe in promoting and building a diverse and inclusive team, workplace, culture, and governance structures that are welcoming to and respectful of all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people whatever their ethnicity, background, age, disability, long‑term condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Southwark Cathedral is committed to a culture of safeguarding, especially for children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The Cathedral has adopted the Church of England policy statement “Promoting a Safer Church” (2017), Safeguarding Learning and Development (2024) and the Safer Recruitment and People Management Guidance (2021). Every member of our team is recruited according to these policies and is required to complete safeguarding training.
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