Chair of Diocesan Secretaries Liaison Group

The Home, United Kingdom

5/6/2025

Executive Chair, Diocesan Secretaries & Chief Executives Network

(Chair of Diocesan Secretaries Liaison Group)

We are pleased to share an exciting opportunity to serve within the Church of England: the position of Executive Chair of the Diocesan Secretaries/Chief Executives’ Network (Network). This pivotal role seeks a strategic and relational individual to support the dedicated Diocesan Secretaries/Chief Executives (DS/CE) who manage our dioceses and to help different parts of the Church of England to work better together.

Diocesan Secretaries/CEOs are instrumental in the effective functioning of the Church of England's dioceses. They oversee administrative, financial, and strategic operations, ensuring that each diocese fulfils its mission and serves its communities faithfully. Their leadership and expertise are vital in navigating the complexities of church governance and in fostering collaboration among clergy and laity.

The Executive Chair of the Network will play a crucial role in supporting these leaders, ensuring their perspectives are well represented and impactful at national church level and encouraging greater collaboration between dioceses, and with the NCI teams, bishops and others. They will also provide key support in ensuring the ongoing professional development of the cohort.

We invite applications from individuals with a deep commitment to the Church's mission, proven leadership abilities, and a thorough understanding of diocesan operations. The successful candidate will possess excellent communication skills be able to take a national strategic view on complex issues. It is essential to be credible with and build trusting relationships with DS/CEO, senior national leaders and Bishops in the Church of England. They will have a collaborative approach and be a self-starter, willing to work with limited support.

The role is for a fixed period of up to 4 years, funded by the Church Commissioners through the Strategic Ministry and Mission Investment Board. The role is accountable to the Diocesan Secretaries Liaison Group (DSLG) via its Vice-Chair, Jonathan Wood, Diocesan Secretary of the Diocese of Leeds and the Leeds Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd will act as the employer.

The role is envisaged as 0.8 fte but applications for between 0.7 fte and full time will be considered. The role is home-based but with access to Church House Westminster or Leeds Diocesan Office. The role involves regular national travel including overnight stays.

Terms Of Employment

• Salary: £85,000-95,000 (FTE)
• Up to four year fixed-term contract
• 0.7 FTE – 1.0 FTE of 35 hours per week
• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme: DBF contributes 8% and will match a further 5%
• if you make additional contributions (www.tpt.org.uk/ ) or CWPF Pension Builder Classic if postholder is already a member (www.churchofengland.org/pbclassic)
• Annual leave allowance: 30 days p.a. pro rata plus Bank Holidays and customary days
  
  
  

Application Process

To apply, please submit a CV and a cover letter explaining your reasons for applying for this role and demonstrating how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification to [email protected].

Closing date: 11:59pm, 2 June 2025

Interview date: TBC

If you would like an informal and confidential conversation about the role, please contact Richard Gough [email protected]) or Jonathan Wood ([email protected]).

We look forward to receiving applications from those who feel called to serve the Church in this significant capacity.