Operations Manager – Resource ChurchDiocese of Newcastle

Diocese of Newcastlewww.newcastle.anglican.orgNewcastle Diocesan Board of Finance. A Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity.Registered in England number 650977. Registered office: Church House, St John’s Terrace, North Shields NE296HS.

Operations Manager – Resource ChurchThis is a new post created to play an integral part in our growing church bringing hope vision in the Diocese and more specifically the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, by providing operational excellence at the Newcastle Diocese Resource Church.

The Resource Church will play an instrumental role in the Diocese, helping us to take a new and exciting approach to mission and ministry. Church of England attendance is declining and in our Diocese nearly half of our parishioners are over 65 years of age. If the Church is to thrive, we must attract more people, specifically younger people and in the power of the Holy Spirit see them come into a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ.

The development of our Resource Church will be an important part of our Mission and Discipleship plan to help us grow quickly and, once a significant, sustainable congregation has been established, plant new churches and congregations. As well as being a resource for the diocese as a church planting church, the Resource Church will also be a centre of leadership development and training.

Background

The simple yet profound values of the Diocese of Newcastle – generous, engaged, and open - have become not only a way of expressing the aspirations of the Diocese but a prism through which we view our mission. They inform and inspire the way we work and help us model our behaviour.

Framed by the Rivers Tyne and Tweed the Diocese of Newcastle is the Church of England’s most northerly diocese. This Diocese in the ‘land of the Northern Saints’ was formed in 1882 and comprises 172 parishes across 2,110 square miles. The Diocese covers the local authorities of Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside and also small parts of County Durham and Cumbria. The 12 deaneries within 2 archdeaconries serve a population of 800,000 people across a variety of communities ranging from sparse rural to large inner city areas of deprivation.

A cohort of 115 stipendiary and 50 self-supporting clergy under the episcopal leadership of a diocesan bishop, the Rt Revd Christine Hardman, and the suffragan Bishop of Berwick, the Rt Revd Mark Tanner, are resourced by a team of lay and ordained supporting ministers, 25 active local ministry development groups and 137 readers. A small administration team is based at Church House, North Shields which also houses the Joint Education Team, the Lindisfarne Regional Training Partnership (two joint working initiatives with the Diocese of Durham) and a Religious Resources Centre.

The Diocese of Newcastle is committed to flourishing churches and communities and has developed a vision for growing church bringing hope as part of a response to the challenges faced by the church in our rural, urban and suburban settings.

EmploymentThe successful candidate will be initially employed by the Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance. The Resource Church is in the process of being set-up as a legal entity and once established employment will transfer to the Resource Church.

LocationThis post will be located at the Resource Church in Newcastle City Centre. While the Resource Church is being planted and set up, the role holder will be located in an office in central Newcastle.

Accountability and key relationships Line Manager: The Revd Ben Doolan, Resource Church Leader. Other key relationships are with the Bishop of Newcastle, the Diocesan Senior Staff Team and the Resource Church Staff Team.

Key ResponsibilitiesVision and Strategy Work with the Resource Church Senior Leader and Associate Leader to deliver the

Resource Church’s vision, taking a lead on operational matters;

Take a strategic role in overseeing work to do with building infrastructure, fabric and fittings that the Resource Church will use and oversee (with others);

Work with the Senior Leader to aid the development of church plants and work on potential new buildings for new congregations;

Work with the Diocese of Newcastle Transformation and Strategy Programme Manager to ensure the Resource Church and Diocese are aligned and working together to deliver the diocesan vision: growing church and bringing hope.

Operational and Church Management Manage the day to day operations of the Resource Church, in accordance with the values, standards and budgets set by the leadership team;

Take the lead on planning and implementation of the long-term operational plans in alignment with the strategic vision;

Work with the leadership to ensure that the finances of the Resource Church are healthy and growing; developing appropriate stewardship and financial management strategies;

Work with budget holders to ensure budgets are well managed and, where appropriate, remedial action is taken;

Act as a resource to the wider diocese;

Encourage best practice with regards to Human Resources in relation to policies, procedures and employment practices and encourage best practice in Health and Safety and Data Protection;

Ensure the effective and efficient development and delivery of IT and other systems of work, including meeting protocols and delivery of agreed actions;

Provide a facilities management function, overseeing the Resource Church Centre offices, meeting spaces, public areas, etc.;

Oversee the development and delivery of a Church Management System(using Church Suite or similar);

Manage and facilitate events, specifically in relation to the training, supporting and resourcing of others.

Relationships Build and maintain a network of positive relationships with key stakeholders, contractors and other Diocesan employees and volunteers.

Person Specification - Key CriteriaQualifications & Training ● The post holder will be educated to degree level or an equivalent qualification, and/or have

demonstrable experience in church management or other related disciplines. Experience ● Ability to manage significant projects (financial and people) at a senior level, working across

disciplines to deliver key outcomes on time and within budget;

● Proven experience of managing people, both paid and volunteers;

● Evidence of financial acumen: previous experience of developing and managing significant budgets, working with audit, completing Gift Aid claims etc;

● Previous experience of developing and implementing an effective management framework including information technology, human resources, governance and finance.

Knowledge & Skills ● Ability to lead, encourage and motivate others;

● Knowledge and understanding of the Church of England;

● Proven knowledge and experience of understanding the complexities of large and growing churches;

● Experience of recruiting, training and leading large teams of volunteers;

● Able to lead staff meetings in a Christian context (such as leading prayer meetings);

● Able to manage a demanding workload, prioritising and delegating tasks and responsibilities as appropriate;

● Good working knowledge of the latest technological trends including being able to work on Cloud Based IT systems (e.g. Google Drive, Church Suite);

● Strategic thinker, evidence of intellectual thinking and agility;

● A high level of interpersonal skills, able to demonstrate self-awareness and emotional intelligence;

● Able to exercise sound judgement and decision making;

● Able to demonstrate enthusiasm, resilience and tenacity;

● Able to embrace change;

● Strong communication skills;

● Able to confront and manage conflict in an effective way;

● Able to build and maintain effective working relationships.

Personal ● Commitment to personal and professional development;

● A passion for church planting and making disciples;

● A follower of Jesus with a maturing Christian faith;

● Teachable and displaying the fruit of the Holy Spirit;

● Submits well to leadership;

● An excellent team player;

● A flexible attitude;

● Able to handle a demanding workload;

● Excellent at self-leading and management;

● Able to demonstrate an understanding and passion for Church life;

● Embodies the vision and values of the Resource Church and the Church of England;

● An Occupational Requirement exists for the post holder to be an active communicant member of the Church of England or of a Church in full communion with the Church of England in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

General ● Ability to work flexible hours, including regular evening and weekend commitments.

General Conditions

DiversityWe understand the benefits of employing individuals from a range of backgrounds, with diverse cultures and talents. We aim to create a workforce that:

• values difference in others and respects the dignity and worth of each individual;• reflects the diversity of the nation that the Church of England exists to serve;• fosters a climate of creativity, tolerance and diversity that will help all staff to develop to their full potential.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and ensuring that all employees, job applicants, customers and other persons with whom we deal are treated fairly and are not subjected to discrimination. We want to ensure that we not only observe the relevant legislation but also do whatever is necessary to provide genuine equality of opportunity. We expect all of our employees to be treated and to treat others with respect. Our aim is to provide a working environment free from harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form which may affect the dignity of the individual.

Standards of Behaviour and ConductEmployees are expected to act at all times with due consideration for others and in a manner befitting their position as employees of the Church and as professionals, whatever their job.

Health and Safety ResponsibilitiesThe Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance takes Health and Safety at work very seriously and require their employees to familiarise themselves with, and follow, their policy.

Salary Grade 4 Salary: probationary period £30,505 pa; on completion of probationary period £32,111 pa.

Pension Contributions Employees will be automatically enrolled into the Church Workers Pension Fund (CWPF) Pension Builder Classic Scheme. The Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance contributes 10% of pensionable salary as an employer contribution to the Scheme. This is a non-contributory Scheme and staff may voluntarily contribute to the Scheme if they wish to do so. Employees have a right to opt out of the Scheme after enrolment.

Working Environment The Resource Church will develop a team that works in the power of the Holy Spirit to reach the goals and targets that God gives us. The Staff Team will pray together most days and there will be regular staff worship which all team members will be expected to attend as part of their working hours. The Staff Team will work and rest hard in a way that recognises that it is God who helps us deliver all that we do.

Hours of Duty The post is offered on a full-time basis working 37.5 hours per week. The post holder must be able to work on Sundays. The post may require availability and attendance at evening and weekend meetings and events. Overtime is not paid but time off in lieu is provided. Lunch and any other breaks are unpaid.

Annual Leave The leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Full-time staff receive 25 days paid leave per leave year exclusive of 8 public holidays and 4 additional holidays approved by the Board.

Contract The employer is the Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance. The post is permanent and is subject to a six month probationary period.

Application and Selection ProcessClosing date for receipt of applications: Monday, 21st January 2019 @ 4pm. The selection process will include an interview, presentation (to be prepared in advance) and practical exercise, is scheduled for Friday, 1st February 2019.

You may e-mail your completed application form to recruitment@newcastle.anglican.org or return your completed application to Marilyn Wright, Human Resources Advisor, Newcastle Diocesan Board of Finance, Church House, St John’s Terrace, North Shields NE29 6HS.