Post Introduction

• Maintain a welcome and hospitality for all callers, visitors and guests at the Bishop of Dorking’s office, including providing tea and coffee.
• Answer the phone politely and deal with requests arising with diplomacy and tact, with messages being emailed to the Bishop as necessary.
• Assist with arrangements for social functions, receptions, dinners and large events.
• Book caterers and, where necessary, first aid support.
• Draft and send invitations.
• Support some events as they are in progress, handling any issues as they arise;

• Ensure the efficient running of the Bishop’s office, dealing with matters in a timely manner and confidentially.
• Open non-personal post daily and acknowledge, respond, forward or delegate as appropriate.
• Help to manage the Bishop’s emails, allocating to digital folders as necessary and where possible deal with them personally or pass on to the most appropriate person to respond or leave for the Bishop to reply fully or read in due course.
• Prepare paperwork for meetings, talks, licensings and services.
• Oversee the production of letters and documents for the Bishop.
• Draft routine letters, including responses to invitations.
• Be responsible for the extensive paper and electronic filing system and the secured storage of sensitive and confidential documents.
• Be aware of and follow all statutory, Church of England and Diocese of Guildford policies and guidance relevant to this role.

• In consultation with the Bishop, be responsible for the short, medium and long term planning of his diary as well as co-ordinating with others about diocesan dates.
• Agree proposed appointments or event dates with the Bishop before finalising.
• Produce weekly diary for Bishop and Bishop’s spouse.
• Organise appointments and practical arrangements for visits and meetings, liaise with the Bishop’s Chaplain who is responsible for liturgical aspects.
• Make travel and accommodation arrangements for the Bishop.
• Supply the Bishop with all necessary paperwork and briefings as required for his daily programme.
• Liaise and ensure good communication with the rest of the Bishops’ Team based at Willow Grange (both working with them and covering for them in instances of vacation / sickness etc).
• Help with questions from the Bishop’s spouse and keep her informed of events etc.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with those who work in Church House Guildford, Guildford Cathedral, the Diocesan Registry, and parishes, schools and chaplaincies.

• Contribute to the forward planning of the Bishop’s office, reviewing of systems, procedures and IT, order and setting up new equipment when necessary.
• Ensure that the offices are kept tidy.
• Work with the Bishop to ensure best value for money on all expenditure, including utilities.

• A calm and level head when busy or under pressure
• Friendly with a diplomatic manner
• A flexible approach to working hours and duties whenever possible, including very occasional evening and weekend work
• Ability to apply understanding, judgement and discretion
• Willing to attend events at the Bishop’s request
• Reliable attendance and punctuality record
• An understanding, empathy or willingness to learn about the culture, systems, structures and terminology of the Church of England.

• Excellent and proven PA and administrative skills
• IT proficiency, including Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel
• Ability to organise own workload, to set priorities and to work to deadlines
• Ability to handle confidential information and to act with discretion
• An eye for detail, accuracy and quality to everything leaving the office
• Ability to work as part of a team
• An ability to build relationships, both internally and externally •   A good telephone manner.

• Sound education to GCSE and/or A level or equivalent work experience
• Good use of the English language both oral and written, including grammar, spelling and punctuation.

• A salary of £12,574,50 (FTE £25,149) per annum plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. Employees are required to contribute 3% of their pensionable salary.  The employer matches employee contributions in whole percentages up to 3%.
• 25 days annual leave pro-rata