Project Manager
Post Introduction
This role is a Fixed Term Contract running until July 2028.
In February 2025, the Church of England’s legislative body, General Synod, voted on a motion brought by the Lead Bishop for Safeguarding on future structures for safeguarding in the Church of England. Synod votes on next steps for independent safeguarding | The Church of England
This work was the culmination of a response by the Church of England to two reports published in 2024 about safeguarding structures and operations. The General Synod motion, as amended, sets the direction of travel for safeguarding structures and operations in the future.
The lead safeguarding bishop and her team are in the process of constituting a Programme Board, which will oversee two Project Boards delivering major workstreams: Scrutiny of Church Safeguarding and Operational Delivery of Church Safeguarding.
The day-to-day operation of delivering the work that General Synod has commissioned is the responsibility of the Safeguarding Structures Team. This team will deliver work to develop a scrutiny body which will scrutinise the Church of England’s safeguarding activities, through the Project Board delivering Scrutiny of Church Safeguarding.
The Project Manager will play a crucial role in supporting the work of the Safeguarding Structures Team, taking responsibility for tracking progress of the overall plan, completing relevant project management documents, flagging any risks and issues, recording and managing decisions, dependencies and opportunities in all aspects of the Future of Church Safeguarding work, which General Synod has given the Lead Bishop for Safeguarding the mandate to develop. The Safeguarding Structures programme includes:
- Setting up an external scrutiny body, which is likely to be on a statutory basis in order to give it “teeth” and so would require legislation
- Further work to determine the legal and practical requirements necessary to implement model 4 which would involve the transfer of safeguarding teams in dioceses and cathedrals to the same external employer as the NST, for submission to General Synod for debate and decision.
- Based on the outcome of General Synod’s debate and decision, to implement the organisational change as required including staff transfer to new employers.
- Relevant and demonstrable project management work experience demonstrating analytical skills and an understanding of managing people, operations, data, information systems, finance, policy and strategy.
- Formal qualification in Project Management e.g. PMP (PMI), Prince2 Practitioner (Axelos), PPQ (APM) or equivalent certification, or working towards it.
- Experience using Microsoft Project or another equivalent Project Management Information System.
- Good knowledge of Excel (e.g. pivot tables, diagrams, formulas) and willingness to assist colleagues to use them.
- Good knowledge of project finance and budgeting.
- Good analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills including ability to clearly. communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Proven track record of proactively delivering successful results.
- Ability to build relationships, trust and credibility with a wide range of diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to be rational, objective and unbiased when giving advice, making decisions and taking action.
- High levels of resilience and compassion, working well with others to make sure colleagues are supported and encouraged to deliver at pace to high standards.
- A salary of £59,248 per annum, 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 your salary.
- 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus eight bank holidays and three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time).
- We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. This is looked at in a case-by-case scenario and if this fits within the department’s needs. 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.
- We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.
- Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK’s leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.
- Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
- Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
- Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.
- Strive for Excellence
- Show Compassion
- Respect others
- Collaborate
- Act with Integrity
