Operations Manager, Bow Church

As with any role of this type, the responsibilities will develop over time as Bow Church grows in its mission, ministry and organisational maturity. The Operations Manager will be expected to exercise judgement, prioritisation and leadership in shaping this development.

Strategy and Development

• Working closely with the Rector, to develop and implement operational strategies which support the church’s mission, vision and strategic growth.
• Design, embed and oversee efficient systems that support Sunday worship, and the wider life of the church activities (e.g. weddings, baptisms, funerals, social and community events) ensuring delivery can be shared appropriately with staff, volunteers and ministry leaders.
• Develop and improve pathways for newcomers, enabling them to connect and integrate quickly to church life, and grow more and more within the family.
• Ensure communication systems and data keeping are designed, developed and maintained to effectively support worship, pastoral care, discipleship & mission whilst remaining legally compliant.

Financial and HR Management

• Work with the Treasurer and PCC Standing Committee to develop, implement and oversee robust financial systems and processes .
• Work with the Treasurer to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, and analysis to ensure compliance and inform decision making.
• Work with the Treasurer to monitor and further develop Bow Church’s expense policy.
• Work with volunteer HR advisors, and the PCC, to oversee Bow Church’s HR processes, including safe recruitment, onboarding, induction, appraisals, and staff wellbeing.

As the church grows, line manage interns, contractors, administrative and/or coordination staff; acting as a coach and mentor to staff and ensuring a positive onboarding experience.

Office Management & Organisational Governance

• Ensure all relevant policies, legal obligations and procedures are kept up to date and reviewed regularly.
• Ensure staff and volunteers have appropriate equipment, systems and workspace to operate effectively.
• Oversee administrative processes connected to governance and reporting, including liaison with the Diocese of London and support for PCC and Standing Committee as require

Building, Facilities & Event Management

• Oversee the management and sustainable development of Bow Church and Holy Trinity buildings, including maintenance, compliance, and long-term planning.
• Lead a strategic approach to building hire, maximising income and community use while protecting the fabric and mission of the church.
• Provide operational oversight for church events and externally managed activities on site, ensuring appropriate systems, risk management and contractor arrangements are in place.
• Oversee procurement and maintenance of equipment across church sites.
• Provide operational leadership for weddings, funerals and baptisms, ensuring clear processes, good communication and effective coordination with clergy, staff and volunteers.
• Ensure full compliance with buildings-related legal requirements, including health and safety, fire safety and accessibility.
• Applying for and managing grants where needed for church development.

Safeguarding

• Work with the Parish Safeguarding Officer and other key leaders to ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are embedded across all operational areas of church life.
• Work with the Parish Safeguarding Officer to maintain robust documentation and reporting.

This role sits at the heart of our church’s ministry and day to day life. The person appointed to this role will be highly organised with a commitment to fostering a safe, welcoming and mission-shaped church environment.

Essential:

• Active Christian faith, passionate about the mission and vision of Bow Church
• Strategic thinker, capable of identifying goals and developing systems and processes for different areas of church life
• A self-starter able to work on their own initiative, identify problems and find solutions quickly
• Excellent ability to work with diverse teams and lead them effectively
• Experience in negotiating with diverse stakeholders
• Highly numerate and able to deal with financial systems
• Ability to hold strategic priorities while attending to operational detail
• Excellent organisational skills, with an ability to prioritise tasks effectively, meet deadlines and lead others in the same
• An experienced delegator, used to pressure, and able to manage multiple resources, multiple programmes and the expectations of a diverse set of stakeholders
• Experience working within governance, compliance or regulated organisational environments, with sound judgement and attention to accountability
• Experience of overseeing or working closely with HR processes, including recruitment, onboarding and staff support
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and integrity
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Emotionally intelligent, with the ability to navigate complexity, difference and competing priorities with wisdom and calmness
• Confident using internal software systems such systems such as MS Office and Google Workspace

Desirable:

• Experience of working within a church or not-for-profit setting
• Previous experience working closely with volunteers
• Experience of working with non-church business, institutional and community partnersExperience of work with Slack, ChurchSuite and design software such as Affinity or Canva
• Understanding of Church of England structures

To carry out this post most effectively the candidate will be committed to Bow Church as their place of worship.

Bow Church is committed to being a diverse, safe, and welcoming community. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds who share our vision and values.

Because this role plays a key part in supporting the ministry and mission of Bow Church, there is an Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 for the postholder to be a practising Christian.

Applicants are to contact send their CV and covering letter to Phoebe Dill at, hello@bow.church