JOB DESCRIPTION
FRIENDS’ SECRETARY AND ADMINISTRATOR
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
This post reports to the Chairman of the Friends Management Committee (FMC) which acts under the direction
of the Chairman and Council of Friends. The post holder has a line management responsibility for Friends’
employees and organisational responsibility for Friends’ volunteers.
PURPOSE
The Charity: the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral is a Charity that supports the preservation of the fabric of
Canterbury Cathedral, the general maintenance of the Cathedral and its activities and services, its ornaments
and furnishings; and raises funds for these activities. The Friends also assist and advise the Dean and Chapter,
and encourage their members to offer their personal services in promoting, so far as may be charitable in law,
public interest in the Cathedral, its history and its work; the Friends also provide a channel for individuals to
show their support through donations and legacies.
The Job: to be the Secretary to the Charity, and to execute the policies set by the Friends’ Council, as directed
by the FMC.
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
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To implement, on behalf of the Friends’ Council, the requirements of the Constitution of the Friends of
Canterbury Cathedral.
To arrange meetings of the Friends’ Council and the Friends’ Annual General Meeting.
To report to Council on the activities of the Friends.
To implement policies approved by the Council under the direction of the FMC.
To be responsible for the safekeeping of all records relating to the Friends.
To maintain the Friends’ database, ensuring the accuracy of all data and keeping FMC and Council
regularly updated with appropriate statistical reports.
To be responsible for the accurate and prompt processing of all Friends’ accounting entries, working
closely with the Cathedral’s Finance Department and the Treasurer.
To check and reconcile bank statements each day and report any unusual items promptly to the
Treasurer.
To assist the Treasurer and the Cathedral Finance Department in the preparation of annual budgets and
the regular monitoring thereof.
To implement financial policy approved by Council
To keep all records in accordance with current charity guidance and law.
In consultation with the FMC to:
 recruit new Friends and increase overall membership.
 plan and implement fund-raising activities and generate income.
 promote the work of the Friends through PR and marketing activities.
 research and develop an annual programme of events to provide focus for existing members and to
attract new members.
To assist the FMC in the production of the bi-annual Friends’ Newsletter
To organise mailings to the Friends.
To assist the Editor of the Friends Chronicle in the production thereof.
To create opportunities for Members to become involved in the work of the Friends through volunteering.
To comply with the responsibilities of the Dean and Chapter’s Health and Safety policy and other
relevant Cathedral policies.
To liaise with Canterbury Cathedral Trust Fund and the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral in the United
States.
To liaise with Friends’ organisations of other Cathedrals, as appropriate.
To attend the monthly Cathedral Senior Staff Meetings.
Friends Secretary and Administrator
Oct 2012
HOURS
The post holder should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational
needs but the required hours will be not less than 37.5 per week.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary
Pension
Life Assurance
Holiday
circa £25k depending upon relevant knowledge and experience
The post holder may join the Dean & Chapter’s contributory Pension Scheme to which
the employer contribution is 10% of salary.
Staff in the pension scheme are insured against death in service 3 x annual salary.
The annual entitlement is 40 days which includes 8 public holidays and 2 Dean and
Chapter Days.
PRE EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
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have a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau.
This position is exempt from the provision of Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by
virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. The grounds on which it is
exempt are that in the normal course of your duties you will have access to persons under the age of 18,
and that your normal duties will be carried out wholly or partly on the same premises where the provision
of training to persons under 18 takes place. Applicants are therefore not entitled to withhold information
about convictions which for other purposes are “spent”. The CRB Code of Practice is available on
request, alternatively you can obtain it from the CRB website www.direct.gov.uk/crb
Updated October 2012
This job description is provided to assist the post holder to know their principal duties. It may
be amended from time to time in consultation with the post holder, by, or on behalf of the Council of Friends,
without change to the level of responsibility appropriate to the grading of the post.
Friends Secretary and Administrator
Oct 2012
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The person specification below indicates the qualifications, experience, knowledge and
skills required to undertake the role effectively.
Essential
Desirable
Professional qualifications:
One or more in the following disciplines: Secretarial,
Administrative, Marketing, Fundraising
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Academic qualifications:
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Degree or equivalent
Experience:
Ability to working effectively with high profile individuals.
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Articulate with excellent communication and inter personal skills
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Excellent IT and administrative skills
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Events management and marketing experience
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Employee management
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Knowledge:
Financial competency and experience of budget management
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Awareness of Charity Commission legislation
Understanding of and sympathy with the aims and purposes of
the Cathedral, its mission and ministry.
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Memberships:
None required
Personal attributes:
Self-motivated and able to work both independently and
collaboratively with internal and external contacts and colleagues.
Confident and willing to take responsibility and make decisions.
Tactful, diplomatic, confidential and discreet but determined and
firm when necessary
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Well presented, organised and self-disciplined
Able to work flexible and extended hours when necessary.
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Friends Secretary and Administrator
Oct 2012