About The Role
The Parish Administrator plays a crucial role in being the first port of call for people contacting St George’s, as well as handling the hire of the church space and carrying out the bookkeeping.
This is a part-time post, 14 hours per week, to be worked flexibly during office hours. At least one day per week needs to be worked from the office, but there is scope for some remote working. For the right candidate, this role could be combined with the Children’s Worker role to create a full-time post.
1. PCC
The parish administrator is responsible for providing support to the PCC including:
● Maintaining a central file of PCC minutes, both paper and digital.
● Ensuring that annual returns are submitted to the Diocese and to the Charity Commission
● Ensuring that relevant Diocesan and Church House procedures are followed in relation to e.g. registers for baptisms.
● Ensuring that the PCC complies with all relevant legislation, including data protection and copyright licences.
2. Building hire
● Maintaining an up-to-date bookings calendar for the use of the church facilities.
● Responding to enquiries from potential new hirers and entering into new agreements (subject to PCC approval where appropriate).
● Ensuring that all users have up to date hire agreements.
● Ensuring that the heating systems are programmed weekly to meet the needs of user groups and that all users know how to use the building safely.
● Ensuring that the church demonstrates good environmental stewardship in its use of materials, recycling systems etc.
3. Financial administration
The post holder will need to liaise closely with the clergy, Gift Aid secretary and treasurer to ensure that all financial transactions are dealt with promptly and in line with agreed procedures. This will include:
● Requesting authorisation, setting up and paying bills/invoices/appeals via CAF Bank.
● Use Xero to complete all financial reporting and monthly reconciliation for the main church account and petty cash.
● Raising invoices for hirers and customers.
● Preparing information for audit, assisted by a finance advisor.
● Ensuring that all financial documents and accounting records are kept securely and orderly.
● Count, complete income forms and paying in slips for all church collections and appeals and take the cash to the bank on at least a quarterly basis.
● Processing Gift Aid and other donations.
● Work with the treasurer to ensure that the PCC receives at least quarterly reports on the financial position of the organisation.
4. Participation in overall work of the church
Whilst the above tasks are not exhaustive; the post holder may also need to undertake any tasks or duties commensurate with the role to enable the church
to fulfil its mission. However, it is recognised that this is a part time post and the involvement in other work will be in conversation with the Vicar. Regular tasks include:
● Generate and circulate the Sunday service rota for Bible reading and leading prayers
● Ordering refreshments for church services and community events.
5. Upholding of policies and procedures
The post holder will at all times need to ensure that they act within the law and that they uphold the church’s policies and procedures which cover, for example, safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and equality of opportunity.
Essential
1. Commitment to the work of the church at the heart of the local community and empathy with the church’s mission
2. Experience of working in an administrative role, carrying out a broad range of office tasks; accurate, fast typing; and thoroughly competent in using Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint and Google Workspace.
3. Clear communication skills – face to face, telephone and in writing.
4. Ability to use own initiative, and to manage own time effectively, as well as contribute effectively to a team.
5. Ability to prioritise and to balance routine tasks with developmental and proactive work
6. Numerate and confident in using accounting packages – and willingness to learn Xero (training provided)
7. Experience of maintaining databases, with a high attention to detail.
8. Ability to deal sensitively with people in distress and to maintain confidentiality
9. Ability to build new relationships with potential room hirers and maintain good relationship with existing users
10. Commitment to social justice and equality of opportunity
11. A positive ‘can do’ attitude
Desirable
1. Experience of faith community
2. Experience of working in a church setting
3. Knowledge of Anglican Church structures
4. Understanding of GDPR
5. Experience using ChurchSuite database
6. Experience in updating simple websites e.g. Squarespace
7. Experience both of lone working and working in a team
8. Competence in using Xero
9. Experience of supporting a committee in not for profit and/or faith setting
10. Experience of working frontline with the public
11. Understanding of safeguarding issues
Equal Opportunities
The Diocese of London is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community. We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME) and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.