Overview of the Role
The Diocesan Secretary advises the Diocesan Bishop as a member of his senior staff, and ensures that the mission, the financial sustainability and the strategy of the Diocese, as determined by the Bishop with his staff, the Chair of the DBF, Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod, are served by exemplary financial management, excellent administration and people management, and effective governance.
Along with other diocesan colleagues, the role is responsible for developing, delivering and implementing the strategy and policy agreed by Bishop’s Staff and Diocesan Synod and seeing that the vision, aspirations and values agreed are ‘lived out’.
More detailed information regarding the workings of the Diocese may be found here
We are looking for an individual with a deep commitment to the culture and ethos of the diocese as expressed by the Bishop and senior staff. You will be able to engage with both the breadth of Anglican traditions and differing communities that are found within our Diocese. An understanding of the nature of working with clergy and volunteers in parishes, is essential.
The Diocesan Secretary will have a personal commitment to the Church of England and Diocesan agenda for growth and mission. In order to deliver the strategic mission and ministry needs of the diocese, the Diocesan Secretary is responsible for ensuring the good stewardship of resources both in financial and human terms. The Diocesan Secretary/CEO has direct responsibility for staff working within the Diocesan Board of Finance. The key purpose of those working within Flourish House and those who work in other locations is to deliver a high-quality efficient service to parishes and local communities within our Diocese.
As a Diocese we believe in being professional and empathetic in both our outlook and delivery. The Diocesan Secretary will need an understanding of the business needs within the culture of a large voluntary organisation where the main purpose is proclaiming the Christian gospel in ways that will transform the lives of individuals and communities.
The role involves working both internally across the breadth of the Diocese and within the national church context. It is expected the Diocesan Secretary will work in a collaborative way with colleagues at both national and local level.
The new Diocesan Secretary will be responsible for ensuring the implementation of the statutory duties within the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) which is a company limited by guarantee. As at 31 December 2021, DBF management (general) expenditure was £12.6m. The net assets and funds, including restricted and endowed total £100m, with an additional £12m held in over 330 financial trusts on behalf of parishes and schools (DBF acting as custodian trustee). The DBF had 64 average full time equivalent (FTE) salaried employees and 189 FTE stipendiary clergy (office holders).
A copy of the DBF’s annual report and accounts can be found here
Reporting Structure
Below is the direct reporting structure for the role. A more detailed version of the Diocese of Bath and Wells Support Services structure can be found here
*The Head of Mission Support and Ministry Development and Director of Education receive addition episcopal oversight.
Our vision
In response to God’s immense love for us, we seek to be God’s people living and telling the story of Jesus.
Key purpose of the post:
The Diocesan Secretary is the Chief Executive Officer of the Diocese. Advising the Diocesan Bishop, they ensure the smooth operational running of Diocesan Support Services. They also contribute to, co-ordinate, communicate and direct others involved with the implementation of Diocesan strategy and policy as determined by the Diocesan Bishop, Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod.
Location: Diocesan Office, Wells, Somerset
Accountable to: The Diocesan Secretary is accountable to the Diocesan Bishop, Chair and Board of trustees and the Diocesan Synod.
Line management will be provided by the Diocesan Bishop.
Hours of work: Full time, 36 hours per week
Key relationships:
- The Bishops of Bath & Wells and Taunton
- The Archdeacons of Bath, Wells and Taunton
- Chair and Vice Chair(s) of the Diocesan Board of Finance
- Chairs of Diocesan Boards
- Diocesan senior leadership team and staff
- Diocesan Registrar
- Diocesan Synod
- Parochial Clergy
- Parish Officers, including treasurers, churchwardens and secretaries of PCCs
- Wells Cathedral Dean and Administrator
- Counterpart Diocesan Secretaries at other Dioceses (particularly the South West region)
- National Church Representatives
Key Objectives:
- To ensure that the vision, aspirations, and values of the diocese are reflected throughout by the diocesan central teams
- To ensure the delivery of a high quality and responsive service to parishes, deaneries and local communities in the Diocese
- To maintain a constructive and positive relationship with the Bishops and Archdeacons, staff and the parishes and deaneries of the Diocese
- To exercise and ensure good stewardship of all diocesan resources with particular emphasis on finance – diocesan support functions
- To ensure the effective communication of policies across all areas of diocesan activity
- To contribute to the formulation and development of strategy and to work with the Bishop to oversee the implementation of the agreed diocesan vision and strategy to support the mission and ministry of the Church
- To encourage all levels of the Diocese of Bath and Wells to develop as a community of learners, able better to respond to the demands of our fast-changing environment.
Main Responsibilities:
Strategic leadership responsibility
- As a member of the Diocesan Bishop’s Staff team to be a key policy adviser, especially in relation to governance, management and strategy and share in the spiritual leadership of the diocese.
- To advise Bishop’s Staff and Council on the strategic use of resources in order to deliver effective, well supported ministry across the diocese.
- To work closely with the Archdeacons, Bishops Staff and senior management team to ensure the effective deployment of all the Board’s resources and communication of policies.
- To provide inspirational, collaborative and empowering leadership within the diocese and with other strategic partners.
- To provide effective change management leadership and support so that change vision is delivered using innovative solutions.
Team Leadership responsibility
- To lead and to have the overall direction of the Support Services management team supporting and implementing the agreed diocesan vision and strategy through a model of distributed leadership that is highly effective and well supported at all levels, whilst demonstrating a living faith
- To be accountable for the effective leadership and management of all DBF Staff and be responsible for the efficient delivery of DBF Support Services that are local, sustainable and positively impactful
- To line manage the senior leadership team
Operational responsibility
- To be ‘Company Secretary’ for the Bath & Wells Diocesan Board of Finance (“the Board”), and act as Secretary to Diocesan Synod and Bishop’s Council
- To oversee the day-to-day operational management of the work of the Board maintaining regular communication with the Chair of the Board and acting as secretary to the relevant boards and committees or delegating this function as appropriate
- To monitor diocesan projects and lead working groups as required to develop and implement diocesan initiatives including the diocese reaching carbon net zero
- To work with the Diocesan Registrar to ensure legal compliance and best practice
- To ensure the reputation of the Diocese is effectively managed and promoted both internally and externally
Financial responsibility - To oversee the sound financial management of the Board’s income (incl. Common Fund), expenditure, assets (houses, investments and working capital) and cash flow, both at consolidated and departmental levels
- To ensure good communication and understanding of the Board’s finances at both deanery and parochial levels, especially in relation to the Common Fund and Parish Share
- To oversee diocesan charitable and discretionary funds
- To oversee effective handling of the Board’s financial responsibilities associated with separated clergy spouses and their families e.g. with housing, in association with the relevant Archdeacon and Bishop’s Visitor
Outward facing responsibility
- To represent the Diocese effectively at national church level and play an active role at regional Diocesan Secretary Meetings and the annual gathering of Diocesan Secretaries.
- To maintain an awareness of Church of England national policy and directives
- To collaborate with other Dioceses (particularly with the South West region) and organisations to develop more creative and cost-effective ways of working
- To assume trustee and member responsibilities, as requested by the Diocesan Bishop, for various associated charitable organisations
- To undertake other duties as reasonably required