Director Of Communications

Diocese of Oxford
Director of Communications
Salary: c.£70,000 pa.
Location: Church House Oxford, hybrid working possible
This is an exciting time to join the Diocese of Oxford. With over 1,000 churches, schools and chaplaincies across the Thames Valley, we are one of the largest dioceses in the Church of England with significant influence and ambition across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Our dedicated staff work collaboratively with parishes and clergy to deliver a wide range of strategic and operational support of mission and ministry. Communicating the good news of Jesus Christ and His work in the world sits at the heart of what we, as a Diocese, are here to do. That takes many different forms and functions as we support transformational impact of ministry and mission in churches, chaplaincies and schools across the diocese.
As our Director of Communications, you will be tasked with leading this work and directing and releasing the creativity of the team and colleagues to ensure that we are reaching our audiences effectively and innovatively. Your own skill and gifts as a communications professional will enable excellent two-way communications as a Diocese and support our Bishops in their roles both locally and nationally. Alongside planning and shaping our regular pattern of Communications, you will also take a lead in reacting and responding to emerging issues as they arise across the diocese, often attracting the interest of the media and other key interest groups. As a key member of the senior leadership team of the Diocese, you will also play a critical role in broader strategic decision making, as a role model for our values, and in supporting and advising our Diocesan Secretary, the Bishop of Oxford and other senior leaders.
You will be an experienced communications professional who has worked in complex environments where public engagement, creative ambition and media scrutiny have been the norm. You will have strong relational and communication skills to enable you to engage with stakeholders at all levels and across varied contexts in the diocese. You will lead a committed and talented team in this post, which means you will bring a track record of developing, motivating and inspiriting successful teams across the breadth of Communications disciplines. While you do not need to have worked within the Church of England previously, you will need, with our help, to quickly learn its structures, culture and dynamics. As a key senior leader in the diocese, you will be a practising Christian with an active faith confident in promoting the work of the Church and Jesus Christ. (Schedule 9, paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010 applies).
We want our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion for all to be reflected in the composition of our staff. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from communities currently underrepresented at senior levels in the diocese.
For further information on this exciting opportunity please click on Apply.
Closing Date: Monday 8 July 2024