Executive Assistant to the Archdeacons and Parish Support Officer (full-time, 37.5 hours)
The Diocese of Ely is seeking a highly organised, proactive Executive Assistant to support the Archdeacons and to help strengthen our support to parishes across the diocese. This is a new role at the heart of our diocesan office, based at Etheldreda House, with a particular focus on improving coordination, follow-through and responsiveness across key processes that matter to parishes. Alongside executive support to the Archdeacons, the role will also contribute to the Strengthening Multi Parish‑ Benefices (SMPB) programme, helping participating benefices build sustainable systems and governance that release capacity for mission and ministry. If you thrive on creating order out of complexity, enjoy working with a wide range of people, and want to use your skills in service of our vision to be generous and visible people of Jesus Christ, we would love to hear from you. 1) About the Diocese of Ely The Diocese of Ely serves communities across Cambridgeshire, the City of Peterborough and West Norfolk. Our calling is to grow a confident Christian presence in every community, supporting parishes and schools as they serve their local contexts. In recent years, the senior capacity of the diocese has been stretched, with significant additional demands in safeguarding, complaints processes, recruitment challenges, and the increasing complexity of parish governance. This has inevitably reduced the time available for proactive engagement with parishes, routine clergy support, and consistent follow through‑ on enquiries and processes. At the same time, the diocese is investing in a mission priority programme, Strengthening Multi ‑Parish Benefices (SMPB). Multi parish‑ ministry can be fruitful and resilient, but it requires sustainable governance, clear processes, and reliable administration. SMPB exists to help benefices build that capacity in ways that honour local identity and support mission. This new role is part of a practical response: strengthening the “infrastructure” of executive support, coordination, and parish-facing responsiveness so that senior leaders and teams can focus on the work that only they can do. 2) The role in a sentence You will provide high-quality executive assistance and operational coordination for the Archdeacons and SMPB, ensuring that key diocesan processes are tracked, well prepared, well recorded, and followed through, and that parishes experience a clear, responsive point of contact. 3) Where you will make the biggest difference This is a role for someone who enjoys both pace and precision. The postholder will help ensure that important work does not drift, that meetings lead to actions, and that parishes receive timely support and signposting. The role is designed around outcomes rather than simply task lists. It will: strengthen diary management, meeting preparation, and action tracking for the Archdeacons improve responsiveness to parishes through triage and “one front door” routines stabilise visitations and church visits through a predictable rolling programme and consistent follow-up reduce delays and friction in vacancy and recruitment processes through end‑to‑end tracking support delivery rhythm, documentation, and communications for the SMPB programme 4) What “good” looks like (early outcomes) In the first 3–6 months, success will look like: Parishes and colleagues experiencing clearer, faster routing of enquiries, with fewer “stuck” issues. The Archdeacons having more protected time for the work only they can do, because scheduling, preparation, and follow-through are dependable. Key processes (visitations, vacancies, recruitment steps, governance documentation) being visible, tracked, and easier to manage. SMPB programme materials, actions, decisions, and communications being organised and accessible as a reliable single source of truth. An administrative “infrastructure” that is resilient through staff changes: tidy records, clear templates, and consistent ways of working. 5) Who this role will suit You will likely be someone who: enjoys building calm, reliable systems in complex environments has strong judgement and discretion with sensitive information can work confidently with clergy, lay leaders, and professional colleagues is comfortable chasing actions tactfully and helping people meet deadlines brings excellent written communication and high competence in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Word, Excel) We value demonstrated capability and a track record of follow through‑. Experience in a church, charity, or volunteer-heavy setting is welcome but not essential. 6) Practicalities and values The role is full-time (37.5 hours), based at Etheldreda House, with some flexibility by agreement and occasional travel to parishes. The Diocese of Ely and the Ely Diocesan Board of Finance (EDBF) are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake safeguarding checks and training relevant to the role and to work in line with safeguarding policy and practice. The diocese is also committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those currently under‑represented in our context where they have the relevant skills and experience.
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