Life at Christ Church Woking

Christ Church is a Charismatic Evangelical Church, with strong links with the New Wine network. We have a current Electoral Roll of c360 adults, and regular contact with around 500 adults, youth, and children. Christ Church is called to being a worshipping, welcoming church community, committed to sharing God’s love and witnessing to Christ in word and action in the town of Woking and the World. Our church building is located at the heart of the town, in the main town square, and so is uniquely positioned to reach out into the town community, and to draw people into the church from the town and surrounding area. 

 As well as our regular Sunday services, youth and children’s groups, CCW runs regular Alpha Courses, Hope Courses, the Origin books and media store, a café, a room hire business, a Christians Against Poverty centre to offer Debt Counselling, and a weekly Warm Welcome space for those struggling with financial or relational poverty. We have around 13 Life Groups to deepen our walk with God and grow closer to God by growing closer together.

Following a period of post-pandemic “vision seeking” and prayer, we have adopted a fresh mission action plan, with the Glow25 vision. This seeks to grow the church in five core areas: Worship, Witness, Welcome, Walking with Jesus (discipleship), and reaching out to Woking and the World.

We now wish to appoint an Operations Director, to oversee all areas of Church Operations to enable us to fulfil our vision.

 Role Overview

 The Operations Director will work as part of the senior leadership of the church, alongside the staff and volunteers, to better enable the church to fulfil its vision and achieve its strategic priorities. There is a particular focus on overseeing the church businesses, the church resources, the operations team, HR, and delivering major projects (especially liaising with the Gateway Building Project team over the next two years). This senior position will play a key part in all aspects of vision shaping, strategy and implementation.

 Reporting to: The Vicar

 Liaising with: All Church staff, Wardens, Operations Board, PCC & Remuneration Committee, Gateway Building Project team, and the wider congregation.

 Key Objectives

• To have oversight and responsibility for managers of the self-funding ministries - currently The Café, Origin Books and Media, Conferencing/Room Hire.
• With senior pastoral staff, to take a major role in defining the strategy to deliver the vision, and to work towards implementation.
• To develop and oversee efficient and effective HR operations for all staff (including their development and support).
• To improve the efficiency of decision-making processes and speed of implementation of agreed plans.
• To project manage specific major initiatives in any area of church life, including mission projects, Church Weekends, buildings (alongside Gateway Team) and IT.
• To improve processes that operate across church life to ensure they are integrated and well-understood and ensure volunteers are engaged and supported effectively.
• To improve marketing and communications both within the church and to the community.

Responsibilities

• Directly line manage senior non-pastoral staff: Café Manager, Bookshop Manager, Conferencing & Facilities Manager, Finance Manager, and Church Administrator.
• To oversee the Operations Board, the body which reports on the performance of the businesses and develops and delivers their strategic business plans.
• To oversee the development and operation of church IT & website.
• To ensure efficient operation of HR systems covering: - recruitment, onboarding of new staff, contracts, pensions, annual review, and appraisals.
• In conjunction with the Treasurer & Finance Manager, oversee and coordinate the smooth running of financial systems and reporting, including the Stewardship Committee that oversees the giving and donations to the church.
• Support the Vicar in planning the PCC, APCM and Standing Committee agendas and reports.
• To plan and manage major projects within the church and to support lay project leaders.
• To ensure all staff (operational, pastoral, and business) work well together, ensuring good communication between different teams, and also between staff team & church members.
• Ensure, with the Facilities Manager, the church complies with all relevant legislation (eg. Employment Law, Health & Safety, Church Governance, Fire and Building regulations etc.)

·        To work closely with the pastoral staff to promote good practise in the recruitment and ongoing support of volunteers.

Person specification

Skills / Abilities

Essential

·        Exercises initiative and self-motivation

·        Highly personable / excellent communicator

·        Able to motivate and develop staff through training and encouragement

·        Team leader and player

·        Pastoral understanding and can handle sensitive/confidential information

·        A natural organiser with an eye for forward planning and detail

·        Works well under pressure and delivers to deadlines

·        Strong influencing skills and ability to manage through conflict

·        Good time-management and prioritisation skills

Desirable

·        Financial acumen and understanding

·        Good administrator with excellent PC skills (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Outlook)

·        An understanding of marketing with a feel for design and good presentation

Experience

·        Of management and/or senior leadership in business, public or third sector

·        Has managed teams of people

·        Track record in shaping projects through dialogue with a range of stakeholders

·        Track record in delivery of projects to time and budget

·        Experienced in introducing and managing change sensitively

·        Track-record working or being a leading volunteer in a relevant capacity in a church

Main Terms and Conditions

• To become a congregation member at Christ Church Woking (we believe this is necessary as the role holder will need to build effective working relationships with many in the congregation, particularly around volunteer engagement)
• Enhanced DBS clearance
• Exact working hours can be subject to negotiation, and some flexibility is possible (e.g. around school runs/holidays) but would expect to include Tuesday & Thursday staff/operations meetings and hours would need to spread over at least four week days
• Some evenings & w/ends (e.g. PCC, leaders meetings, staff retreat) as required
• Attendance at all staff events, retreats, conferences & training, in addition attendance at Church Weekend Away and Leaders’ Weekend Away
• New Wine Summer Conference & Leaders conferences as appropriate
• 25 days annual holiday pro rata
• Salary range of £26-£30k (£35-£40k FTE) depending on experience, for 30 hrs week

It is a genuine occupational requirement that applicants are committed, practicing Christians.

For further information about the role itself please email jane.ashdown@ccwoking.org, for more info on CCW or for an informal chat please email the vicar on adrian.beavis@ccwoking.org

TO APPLY please send to adrian.beavis@ccwoking.org 

1/ a complete up-to-date CV with all relevant experience

2/ a covering letter explaining what attracts you to the Operations Director role at Christ Church and the strengths and passions you bring to the role as shown in the job description.

The Closing Date for applications is Friday 7^th July 2023.  Interviews will be on Thursday 13^th July.