Operations Manager (Events & Engagement)
Please Note: The application deadline for this post has now passed.
Post Introduction
The National Church Institutions comprises a wide variety of teams, professions and functions that support the mission and ministries of the Church of England in its vision to be a church, centred on Jesus Christ, for the whole nation - a church that is simpler, humbler, bolder.
We Include. You Belong.
Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.
Living out our values in all that we do, we:
- Strive for Excellence
- Show Compassion
- Respect others
- Collaborate
- Act with Integrity
We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward. The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith. We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you.
About the Department
Lambeth Palace is a unique building of significant historical and global provenance. It is, first and foremost, the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury and his family, as well as home to a wider, diverse and thriving, residential community. It is also an office and the epicentre of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s ministry to the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion. It is a Grade I listed building comprising various listed buildings dating from the 12th to the 20thcenturies, set within 10 acres of beautiful, landscaped gardens.
By its nature and location, Lambeth Palace is seen as an iconic statement of the values and the nature of the Church of England, the Anglican Communion and the ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury. As such, the way it is run and managed is essential to the witness and ministry exercised or exemplified within its boundaries. It requires flair to work well, joy to give atmosphere, peace to encourage ministry and love to welcome guests of all kinds. In collaboration with the wider Events and Engagement Team, the Operations Manager (Events and Engagement) plays a role in the setting of the tone and ethos of the practical operational extension of the Archbishop’s ministry.
This is a unique opportunity to join the Events and Engagement Team at Lambeth Palace.
What you'll be doing
The purpose of this role is to manage the operation of events and engagements at Lambeth Palace.
The Operations Manager will support the Director of Events & Engagement with leading the day-to-day running of the hospitality operation at Lambeth Palace (up to 500 covers), and the new Lambeth Palace Library (up to 70 covers) ensuring it is fit for purpose, operates effectively, efficiently and to the highest possible standards. This includes, overseeing all internal and external catering, overseeing the hospitality and housekeeping arrangements of the Archbishop’s guest accommodation and being an operational stakeholder in the general appearance, standards and running of the Palace. The Operations Manager (Events and Engagement) has a key role in all large-scale events, arranging overnight guests; visits by VIPs, and world leaders, as well as overseeing the tours and public openings of the Palace buildings and gardens.
For all events and engagements, including those hosted by or on behalf of the Archbishop and his or her spouse, the Operations Manager (Events and Engagement) has a key role in ensuring proper liaison with the staff member who has lead policy responsibility for the event, as well as other departments, stake holders and third parties to make certain all necessary support is delivered. The post holder will assist in building relationships with clients when onsite to safeguard the smooth running of each event and to help secure repeat business. They will also support the Director of Events and Engagement with operational projects. The post holder contributes to, and is aligned with, the agreed strategic direction of the Archbishop’s ministry and supports the ethos and heritage of Lambeth Palace, and the wider Church of England.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Leading the management of the practical hospitality operation at Lambeth Palace and the new Lambeth Palace Library, ensuring it is fit for purpose, operates effectively, efficiently, to the highest possible standards, contributes to, and is aligned with, the agreed strategic direction of the Archbishop’s ministry and supports the ethos and heritage of Lambeth Palace.
- Managing the Events and Engagement Operations Team on a day-to-day basis, ensuring it is well led, adequately resourced, motivated, resilient, trained, operating to the highest possible standards and imbued with a sense of importance of its contribution to the Archbishop’s ministry.
- Having strategic oversight in the delivery of the Palace’s busy building and events diary, taking into account and co-ordinating between the Archbishop’s diary, the needs and responsibilities of other Palace departments, the Palace’s residents, visitors and guests.
- Holding a key role in the relationship between the Archbishop’s Spouse, their office and the hospitality operation, ensuring that the balance is maintained between the Palace being an official residence, a workplace, an events venue and a home.
- Leading and advising on key elements of the hospitality operation relating to protocol and the Palace’s use and purpose as an official residence. Liaising with internal policy leads and stakeholders to make certain that the Palace always remains respectful, appropriate and accessible at all levels, whilst observing and developing traditions, protocols and procedures.
- Assisting with the business development and strategic forward planning of the events operation at Lambeth Palace and the new Lambeth Palace Library.
- Being an ‘Ambassador’ for the Archbishop, their household, the Events and Engagement department and the wider operation at Lambeth Palace, when meeting or hosting guests, or when occasionally called upon to escort the Archbishop or their spouse on an engagement.
- Representing the Palace at appropriate forums, both internal and externally.
- When the Palace reopens, managing and co-ordinating the Archbishop’s Guest Accommodation, including running its diary, corresponding with overnight guests, effectively communicating and reporting the accommodation’s requirements with the Housekeeping and Facilities teams; ensuring every guest has the most appropriate and welcoming experience.
- Overseeing the continual review and development of standard operating procedures and policies.
- Ensuring the Events and Engagement Team is proactive in its communication and coordination with key stakeholders (internal and external), especially those that interface most regularly with the hospitality operation.
- Ensuring that the hospitality operation at Lambeth Palace is fully compliant with all its statutory obligations.
- Assisting with the management of the Lambeth Palace volunteers by ensuring that standards set in the handbook are adhered to and updated regularly to ensure a proactive approach updating tour content to make them relevant to Archbishop of Canterbury’s Ministry.
- Leading the monthly diary and menu planning meeting between the Events & Engagement Team and the Archbishop’s Spouse.
- Ensuring effective communication, information sharing and coordination with the Archbishop’s spouse, family and other residents (as appropriate) on the hospitality operation at Lambeth Palace.
- Assisting in the development of the new event space in the Lambeth Palace Library (separate building) and promote the venue to appropriate partners.
- All staff working at Lambeth Palace share responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture with regard to children and vulnerable adults, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.
About You
The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups.
Essential
Knowledge/Experience
- Substantial experience of events management, with good client relationships
- Experience of organising high-profile and complex and highly professional events for large numbers of people
- Experience of leading, managing and motivating staff and sub-contractors and/or volunteers, and of working in a larger team
- An enthusiasm for history, for working in a building of great historical significance and a willingness to learn and absorb the history of Lambeth Palace
- Experience of public speaking
- Ability to pitch to potential clients with confidence
Skills & Abilities:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a confident and helpful manner as the senior ‘front of house’ person for the Palace
- Strong strategic outlook, seeing the bigger picture and how to operate within it
- Having sufficient personal confidence to influence people; to deal tactfully and effectively with people at all levels; and to negotiate commercially advantageous deals
- Proactive, able to go out to create new contacts and find business
- Excellent customer service skills
- Excellent organisational skills: planning, prioritising, managing records and financial information
- Able to multi-task and work to tight deadlines
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Experience using an event management system
- A sympathy with and an interest in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s ministry
- Able to work flexibly, particularly evenings and some weekends
Qualifications & Training:
- Degree or equivalent demonstrable experience of professional standards
Desirable
- Project management
- Management of, or working on, a Private Estate or in an Official Residence
- Knowledge of Health and safety
- An understanding of catering and hospitality in other cultures, faiths and traditions
- An understanding of protocol and ‘Correct Form of Address’
What we offer
Our benefits include:
- A salary of £46,577 plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of salary.
- 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus three additional days
- Flexible working hours and location, with an expectation of just 1-2 days per week in our office in Westminster
- Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships
- Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme
- Opportunity to the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies
We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
The closing date for applications is 8 May 2024.