Hope Parish Liverpool: Manager of Mission Services

Overview:

Full time: 21 hours per week

Term: Permanent

Salary: £20,750 (based on £35,000 pa)

Hours of work: To be mutually agreed but will include some weekend and evening

Location: Parish Office (Church in the Parish) with travel across the parish required

Accountable to: Initially to Change Lead for Fit for Mission; once confirmed the Team Rector of Hope Parish Liverpool

Holiday: 25 days holiday per year + bank holidays

Other benefits: Nest pension; Free on-site parking at the office

Special conditions of employment:

There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the post-holder to be a practicing, baptised Christian, and to be sympathetic with the creeds of the Church of England or a member of the Churches Together in Britain & Ireland.  This post is therefore exempt under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.

The successful candidate will require their own transport with expensed travel to off-site meetings.

Posting Date: 30 June 2025

Closing date: 18 July 2025

Interview date: 21 July 2025 (week of)

Start date: 01 August 2025

For an informal chat for further information, Rev. David Halliwell, Change Lead at info@hopeparishliverpool.org.

Introduction:

The Diocese of Liverpool is mid-way through a Strategic Transformation Programme, a six-year step change initiative, encouraged by and in partnership with the Church Commissioners.  The aim of the programme is to implement prayerfully, and at pace, a clearly defined and widely owned Diocesan vision and plan for growth and a sustainable future.

Our Fit for Mission programme is helping us to develop a stronger discipleship culture, train and release lay leaders as well as plant more diverse worshipping communities.  To facilitate this, we aim to rationalise structures and buildings.  Forming a Support Services team within a larger parish will enable others to be freed up for mission.

The Hope Parish Liverpool will be made up of 6 single parishes from within the Liverpool South deanery.  Each church has voted to be part of this larger single parish and are mid-way through the transition process.

Purpose of the role:

This is a new role within the emerging larger single parish of Hope Parish Liverpool.  Working alongside the Team Rector, the purpose of the role is to provide strategic oversight and efficient management of the operational, administrative, financial, HR, safeguarding and property functions of the new parish.

Working closely with clergy, support services staff and relevant church officers, this role is key to releasing clergy and lay leaders from administrative burden, enabling a more strategic focus on our mission:  Celebrating Worship, Introducing People to Jesus, Deepening Discipleship, Developing Leaders and Working for Justice..

This is a key management position, and will require the post holder to recruit and manage a small operational support Services team for the larger single parish.  This team will use best practice systems, software and procedures; it will generally be made up of local people who are employed centrally on a part time basis, supported by volunteers working across the parish.

This is an exciting and challenging role for someone who knows and loves the church, and wants to help her move forward for a sustainable future. 

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Operations and Office Management:

• Lead and co-ordinate operational support services for churches and worshipping communities across the larger parish.
• Establish and maintain effective systems and processes for parish administration, operations and finance.
• Take on the role of PCC Secretary to support the Rector in day to day governance.

Finance, Budgeting and Stewardship Oversight:

• Manage operational budgets, forecasting and reporting alongside Parish treasurer, PCC and Rector.
• Supervise Financial Officer for effective and efficient management of payroll, financial reporting, and effective use of My Fund Accounting software
• Support income generation initiatives such as grant management, social enterprise through our building assets and Christian Stewardship education with clergy and lay leadership with the support of the Diocesan Resource Development Team.

Human Resources and Volunteer Management:

• Line manage a number of part-time staff, including: Finance Officer, Building Officer, Administrators and staff leading parish-wide ministry.
• Manage recruitment, inductions. training and performance evaluation in line with current employment law and Diocesan policies.
• Maintain accurate HR records and training compliance.

Safeguarding, Policies and Compliance:

• Ensure the parish is fully compliant with safeguarding, Health and Safety, GDPR, charity and legal requirements in line with Diocesan policies
• Review regularly update parish polices, risk assessments and risk management.

Facilities and Property Management:

• Supervise the work of a Buildings Officer to steward 8 church buildings to ensure safe, compliant, well-maintained buildings and mission-ready buildings maintenance, repairs, cleaning, lettings and insurance.
• Support Building Officer in their work with local church wardens and sides people
• Oversee key service contractors and contracts with Building Officer

IT and Communication Systems

• Oversee parish IT infrastructure, including ChurchSuite, Microsoft 365 and My Fund Accounting
• Develop and maintain the parish website and other online platforms
• Co-ordinate communications and publicity in collaboration with ministry leaders.

The post-holder will serve as secretary of the PCC (Shadow PCC), be a member of the Pastoral Leadership Team and work closely with: Local church leaders (lay and ordained), Diocesan Fit for Mission staff and others.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

• Proven senior-level strategic and operational management experience with Church, Christian non-profits and/or community-based organizations.
• The ability to manage and interpret complex information and to offer sound, reliable, professional advice.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience working with or managing volunteers and/or part-time teams.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to maintain strong interpersonal relationships.
• Excellent IT proficiency (e.g., Microsoft Office, cloud-based software).
• Ability to be flexible, taking responsibility and motivating others to ensure tasks are completed.
• Commitment to the values and mission of the Church of England and values of Hope Parish Liverpool.
• Approval of DBS Screening

Desirable Requirements

• HR or Finance qualifications.
• Experience managing change in a church or non-profit setting.
• Understanding of Church of England structures and governance.
• Experience of strategic planning and/or project delivery.
• Experience of the legal complexities of managing church buildings.
• Familiarity with church management software and safeguarding systems.

Personal Attributes

• A person of integrity who can keep absolute confidentiality.
• Creative and pragmatic problem-solver.
• Self-starter who enjoys both strategic thinking and hands-on delivery.
• Warm, approachable team player with a servant-hearted attitude.