Vacancies

Benefice Administrator and Communications officer (£13-15 per hour)

This post is wonderful opportunity to provide administrative and digital support to our Rector and Churches, with flexible working hours and an inclusive community. We have a dedicated office within St Mary's Church, Charminster, and some on-site hours will be necessary each week, but the timing of these is flexible, and much of the role would work remotely. The appropriate candidate will have excellent digital and personal communication skills, and an open-minded and non-judgemental approach to meeting new people. We are an equal rights employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender or gender identity. In line with the Equalities Act 2010, a requirement of this post is an openness to working within a Christian setting and promoting the activity and beliefs held by our Church of England parishes. 

Role Description

The Benefice Administrator and Comms Officer is there to support the day to day workings of the six parishes that make up the benefice of Charminster, Stinsford and the Chalk Stream Villages. This falls into four main areas: PA to the Rector and Parishes, Life Events Contact, Website and Social Media manager, Benefice Communications.

PA to the Rector and Parishes:

• Access and Manage the Rector's diary and Benefice Diary - this part of the role involves a good working knowledge of Microsoft and Google, as well as a willingness to learn how to use ChurchSuite, our online church platform.

• Printing Orders of Service for Sundays and Life Events when needed, in the church office. 

• Managing monthly rota distribution by email, and communicating well with volunteers.

• Providing Administrative Support in the preparation period for APCMs (Church AGMs)

• Providing a second point of contact when the Rector is unavailable (within set hours) and liaising with church officers to answer enquiries.

Life Events Contact:

• First point of contact for Wedding, Baptism and Funeral (etc) enquiries; Providing a friendly, reassuring, professional and efficient response to those approaching us for the first time before a life events. 

• Managing (digital) paperwork in a safe and secure manner, supporting couples and families through their life event, keeping personal details confidential, and producing Wedding Documents via our dedicated software.

• Managing church and the Rector's diaries to confirm potential dates with Wedding couples.

• Communicating with couples about legal preliminaries and requirements, scheduling Banns of marriage, and sending reminder emails to clergy and churchwardens about publishing them.

• Keeping in touch with annual letters, cards or emails on anniversaries.

Website and Social Media Manager:

• Helping our churches to use Social Media and our Website as a "window" into our church life, maintaining an inviting and engaging presence online.

• Creating and Executing Social Media Campaigns, including seasonal advertising for services, and responding to comments and messages sent online. 

• Updating the Benefice Website and 'A Church Near You' pages, including our ChurchSuite database.

• Creating, publishing and circulating the Weekly 'Pew News', Monthly Services Lists for parish magazines, and printing some copies for church use. Using ChurchSuite and Buffer.

• Engaging with the diocesan comms team to share recent events and stories.

Benefice Communications:

• Being a point of contact for general enquiries (phone provided) via whatsapp, phone, text, email or messenger.

• Liasing with our School and other Local Organisations to alert them to upcoming events and activities.

• Communicating well with volunteers, parishioners and visitors of all ages (safeguarding checks and training provided).

This Role is Subject to Safer Recruitment and a DBS Check.

About Us

The Benefice of Charminster, Stinsford and the Chalk Stream Villages is one community made up of six parish churches. We are overseen by a single clergyperson, Rev'd Leila. We are a friendly bunch and inclusive in our approach to life and faith. This role is one that can be worked alongside child/dog care (both very welcome in the church office and all six parishes). We have a flexible approach to this role, and would be happy to be invoiced per hour worked, or to agree a set number of hours for each week/month, that can be rolled across from quieter seasons to busier ones. As such, this role would suite someone who is self-employed, or someone who would prefer a flexi-working contract. Our office is based in Charminster Church, but the official Line Manager for this role is the Rector, assisted by Stinsford Parochial Church Council. 

We offer

• Appropriate Line Management, with weekly supervision meetings that will progress into fortnightly or monthly meetings at a time agreed mutually

• An office space, work phone, laptop, and work-related expenses

• Flexible working hours and semi-remote working options

• A workspace that is child-care commitment friendly, welcoming your infant and/or friendly dog to work (NB any persons or animals brought into the church buildings remain your responsibility throughout their visit)

If you are interested in applying for this role, please email your CV and cover letter to Rev'd Leila Mather, Benefice Rector, at Rector@CSCSVBenefice.org by Friday 1st May. If you have any questions about the role before applying, please use the same email address.

We look forward to your application!