Chief Operating Officer
Over the past two years the current Chief Operating Officer, has successfully taken the Cathedral through the governance and organisational changes required to conform to the Cathedrals Measure, enabling the Cathedral to become registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales at the start of this year. After 11 years working in both finance and as the COO, he is now moving on to become the first COO at a local secondary school.
The Cathedral Chapter is therefore seeking to appoint a full-time Chief Operating Officer to lead us forward in this new era and contribute across a number of strategic and managerial aspects of Cathedral life. Our new COO will drive and manage the delivery of the Cathedral’s strategy and will work with the Chapter to ensure that the Cathedral is effectively and efficiently run. They will have a key role in the delivery of the Cathedral’s recently updated vision and mission priorities.
The successful candidate will report to the Dean, have oversight of all operations within the Cathedral, provide support to the Chapter in its strategic planning, and be responsible for finance, governance, administration, property and for staff who are employed to support the Cathedral’s work. They will need to have experience of being responsible for a broad range of operational functions, an understanding of working within a complex governance and charitable structure, be able to inspire our staff team and have the desire and motivation to nurture and encourage a strong sense of community. For the right candidate this offers an exciting and inspirational opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
* To ensure that resources (money, people and property) are managed effectively and efficiently in support of the strategy, aims and objectives of the Cathedral as decided by Chapter.
* To lead and inspire the staff in support of the Dean, working towards achieving the vision set out by the Dean and Chapter. To create an environment that ensures effective communication, engagement and high levels of delivery from the lay staff.
* To manage the administration associated with Chapter and Cathedral Advisory Group meetings including overseeing the minuting of meetings, monitoring actions and preparing meeting agendas. The COO is the Chapter’s main adviser, leading and contributing to discussions as appropriate, but is not a member of Chapter with voting rights.
* To design and draft strategy documents for the running and future development of the Cathedral business.
* To oversee the maintenance of robust policies and processes to support the effective and efficient delivery of the Cathedral’s strategy and operations.
* To work with local government and stakeholders across the city and the county to represent the Cathedral’s interests and maintain engagement in the development of local policies and decision-making.
* To coordinate major projects as required by the Chapter, including planning, timetabling, budgeting, communications and internal and external relations.
* To manage key relations, including with core volunteer roles, senior diocesan staff, the Cathedral’s insurers and solicitors, the Cathedral Architect, the Cathedral Archaeologist, the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, Historic England, the National Heritage Lottery Fund, St Albans City and District Council, the Church Commissioners, the Association of English Cathedrals and the Cathedral Administration and Finance Association.
* Working with the Head of HR & Office Support, to lead the personnel function for all Cathedral employees, including recruitment, performance management and ensuring that HR systems and policies are revised when necessary as advised by the Cathedral’s external employment law advisers.
* To ensure a coordinated working environment across all parts of the Cathedral organisation including the clergy, administration, music and learning staff, Cathedral Wardens and other volunteers and fundraising trusts to deliver the Chapter’s strategy.
* Working with the Chief Financial Officer and the Finance Committee, to maintain an effective system of internal financial control, including overseeing the robust and rigorous preparation and monitoring of annual budgets, the production of the annual report and the annual review, and the development and implementation of new income generation proposals.
* To support the Dean, the Canon for Mission and Pastoral Care and Cathedral Safeguarding Officer in ensuring that safeguarding policies are reviewed regularly, discussed by Chapter and implemented, in order to maintain a safe environment to welcome children and vulnerable adults.
* Working with the Director of Property and Fabric and, where appropriate, the Cathedral Architect and Cathedral Archaeologist, to oversee and manage major works and maintenance and cleaning programmes in relation to the Cathedral and its staff properties, ensuring contracts are well managed, statutory permissions obtained and projects delivered on time and within budget.
* To ensure that health and safety matters and security are managed effectively, as advised by the Cathedral’s insurers and external health and safety advisers.
* Working with the Head of Marketing and Visitor Experience to support bringing in more and different visitors to the Cathedral, improve the visitor experience and increase visitor income.
* Working with the CFO, ensure on behalf of the Board of Cathedral Enterprises that Cathedral Enterprises commercial operations are run efficiently and effectively, and opportunities for growth identified and realised.
* Working with the Head of Development and Fundraising, to oversee the work of the development office, supporting the fundraising activities of the Cathedral.
* Working with the Head of Marketing and Visitor Experience, to oversee and develop the Cathedral’s public profile, reputation and branding.
* To ensure that the IT and other systems serving the Cathedral and clergy operate effectively.
* To undertake other activities as required by the Dean and Chapter.
Deadline for applications: Friday 17 May
Interviews: Monday 3 June
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete some online assessments and have a remote feedback session with a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, coordinated by Green Park Recruitment Consultants before interviews on 3 June
Shortlisted candidates will also be offered information gathering meetings with the Diocesan Secretary, Chair of the Finance Committee & Head of Finance – meeting the latter two in a single meeting
Full details and application pack available on our website: