PA to the Bishop of Ripon

This role provides proactive administrative support to the Bishop of Ripon. The Bishop's PA represents the Bishop's Office and is often the first point of contact.

The postholder will manage the Bishop's Office and ensure that work for the Bishop of Ripon is completed to a high standard. Much of the work is highly confidential, so the postholder must be able to deal with this discreetly and sensitively. The PA is a vital part of the local Ripon Area team but must be able to work independently and use initiative as necessary. Commitment to supporting the Bishop's ministry is essential, and a good understanding of the Christian Faith and Anglican worship is helpful.

Daily tasks will include prioritising mail and messages, organising the Bishop's diary, drafting replies and/or briefing papers as appropriate, producing communication and paperwork around the Bishop's appointments (including church visits and clergy meetings) promptly, attending and arranging events and meetings and in general ensuring that the Bishop is properly resourced and supported in his/her work. As well as overseeing the Ripon Episcopal Area, the Bishop has some diocesan responsibilities, which necessitate travel around the Diocese, and national responsibilities which include travel to London and elsewhere in the country. The planning of the Bishop's diary will reflect the travel involved.

The PA will have key working relationships with other senior staff in the Diocese and particularly those in the Ripon Area. The PA will work closely with the Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven and their PA. The postholder will also be in frequent contact with the Area and Assistant Area Deans and other Area Officers. As the Bishop is often out of the office, the post-holder should be a self-starter and capable of using their initiative with regard to planning and managing their workload.

There may be the possibility of some home-working - details to be discussed with the post holder.

Principal Duties

• Manage the Bishop's diary, appointments, travel and event logistics
• Plan the annual meeting cycle for various committees and individuals
• Manage the approval system for Lay Eucharistic Ministers, including the renewals every five years.
• Anticipate and act proactively on information that comes into the office (via email, phone or letter) particularly where this relates to diary and deadline matters.
• Ensure that appropriate matters are brought to the attention of the Bishop
• Arrange Confirmations, Licensings and other church services and handle related administration.
• Manage annual review appointments (MDRs) for clergy, ensuring that the necessary paperwork is issued and received within appropriate timeframes.
• Manage the 'New in Post' system alongside the Archdeacon's PA
• Administer the clergy appointments process within the Ripon Area, working closely with the Archdeacon, the Archdeacon's PA, Patrons and parish representatives. Ensure that all legal requirements are met.
• Managing meetings for PTO applications.
• Prepare materials for meetings; to occasionally attend and take minutes.
• Oversee the Bishop's expenses and local budget, ensuring that accurate records are kept and returned to the Bishop of Leeds Financial Officer monthly.
• Organise and maintain general and confidential filing systems, including clergy files.
• Manage the Bishop's Office, including ordering stationery, dealing with phone systems, etc

Other duties

• Represent the Bishop's Office with professionalism, discretion and pastoral sensitivity.
• Welcome visitors to the Bishop's Office, ensuring that they are dealt with in a polite and courteous manner.
• Assist in providing refreshments when necessary
• Attend meetings and other events (outside the office) as agreed with the Bishop
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity at all times, ensuring that all confidential material is properly managed and stored.
• Undertake any training as required and be willing to understand GDPR and Safeguarding practices.
• To support the Bishop in developing a social media presence

Essential

Experience, knowledge and skills:

• Experience of working in an administrative capacity in an office environment
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), including good telephone skills
• Excellent organisational skills and good attention to detail.
• Proficient IT skills, including strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (particularly Word and Outlook) and the ability to use databases to search and record work
• Understanding of social media
• Numeracy skills
• Good problem-solving skills
• Total discretion in handling confidential material
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to deal tactfully and sympathetically with the laity and clergy in the Diocese
• Ability to work on own initiative and develop new systems
• Knowledge of the structures of the Church of England (or willingness to learn)
• An appreciation of the diverse communities in the Diocese

Personal qualities:

• Sympathy with the aims and values of the Church of England
• Ability to relate to a wide-range of people across the whole social spectrum and put them at their ease
• Sensitivity to the Bishop's Office, also being the home of the Bishop

Work-related Circumstances:

• Able to work flexibly, including very occasional evenings and weekends with prior notice
• Willingness to travel to meetings within the Diocese and Episcopal Area
• Willingness to undertake training as required