Job Description

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HEAD VERGER & CATHEDRAL FLOOR MANAGER
JOB DESCRIPTION
Cathedral Administrator
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Director of Operations
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HEAD VERGER & CATHEDRAL FLOOR MANAGER
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Deputy Head Verger, Vergers, Bedesmen, Cleaners, Volunteer Stewards
Job title:
Head Verger & Cathedral Floor Manager
Department: Operations
Location:
Cathedral
Purpose of job
Reporting to the Director of Operations and liaising closely with Members of Chapter, to
be responsible for the day to day management of the team of Vergers, who are responsible
for the delivery of cathedral services. This includes preparation and set up for all services,
concerts and other events, processional duties, health and safety matters, general
housekeeping and presentation of the building. Management of the Cleaners and of the
volunteer Cathedral Stewards. It is envisaged that the post holder will in practice devote
50% of their time to active hands-on participation as a Verger, with the remainder of their
time spent on more general operational and management responsibilities.
Responsible to:
Director of Operations
Responsible for: Deputy Head Verger
Vergers
Bedesmen
Cleaners
Cathedral Stewards
Contacts:
Close liaison with Members of Chapter
Skills
 Understanding of the distinctive ethos of the Cathedral as a church, a concert
venue and a tourist attraction
 Highly sympathetic to the liturgical life of the Cathedral
 Capable of being inspired by the music and worship of the Cathedral
 Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a collaborative context
 Ability to be patient, assertive and diplomatic as appropriate
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Ability to cope with a varied and demanding workload
Ability to liaise effectively with orchestras, performers and other users of the
Cathedral
Excellent administrative skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Working with honesty and integrity in dealing with the public and managing cash
First Aid Trained
Knowledge of health & safety and fire regulations
Physically fit for the work involved in configuring the Cathedral for different
services, concerts and other events.
Work experience
 Previous experience of dealing with the public.
 Previous experience in a supervisory role.
 Previous experience as a Head Verger or Deputy Head Verger is desirable.
 Working knowledge of formal liturgy is essential and choral liturgy is highly
desirable.
 Previous experience of managing the logistics of events in a public building.
Membership of Professional Bodies
 Membership of the Church of England Guild of Vergers is desirable.
Costs of membership and participation are a legitimate expense.
 A Communicant member of the Church of England.
Duties and responsibilities
 To manage and supervise staff and volunteers to ensure that the cathedral is
appropriately staffed for services, concerts and events and at all times whilst open
to the public.
 To act as Duty Manager for concerts and events on a rota basis with others.
 To be available for major events and services.
 Proactively manage health and safety and risk assessments.
 To be prepared to apply first aid as may be required.
 To ensure all staff, members of the Foundation, contractors and visitors comply
with health & safety guidelines.
 Manage the cleaning and general housekeeping of the cathedral.
 Understand the cathedral electronic systems for lighting, sound, security, etc. –
this includes the implementation of the emergency systems.
 Make sure that the building is secure and that the fabric is maintained.
 To play a hands-on role to ensure that the Vergers manage all the needs of the
sacristy, vestments, silver, fabric, furniture and other precious objects.
 To maintain the statutory records for the services.
 To be responsible for stock control and operating an agreed expenditure budget,
under the direction of the Operations Director.
 To arrange for the safekeeping and transfer to the accounts department of money
from the donations boxes, the admissions desk and from the collections at services.
 To be responsible for the issue of keys, maintain records and storage of key stocks
 To compile and issue the Vergers’ rota.
 To undertake Verging duties at services on a rota basis with the rest of the Vergers.
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All Vergers are required to share in covering for all Services throughout the year,
including Festivals etc., whether within or outside normal working hours and the
regular rota will include work at the weekends (Saturday/Sunday). All Vergers are
expected to be available for Major Services such as Ordinations, Easter and
Christmas.
To be responsible for and play a hands-on role in the set up/preparations of
furniture, etc. for services, concerts and events and re-ordering after events in
collaboration with Stage Manager, Stage Crew and Cathedral Workforce.
To supervise the Cathedral’s team of Volunteer Stewards, compile their rota and
draw up stewards’ rubrics for services and events as required.
Liaise directly with individual Members of Chapter as appropriate regarding their
requirements for specific services and events.
Manage key relationships with other departments that work within the Cathedral,
the Music department, Communications & Marketing, Visitor Services, Education
and Ely Cathedral Enterprises.
To attend Cathedral diary meetings and other senior staff meetings as required.
To actively encourage and support staff in completion of NVQ and other training
Other duties as may be necessary.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The Verging Team is the first line of contact for most visiting dignitaries, Diocesan
officers and event organisers. It is therefore essential that the Head Verger & Cathedral
Floor Manager demonstrates good interpersonal skills and a high standard of appearance.
Good communication skills, initiative and the ability to work effectively and
collaboratively as the leader of a small team are essential.
The work carried out by the Vergers is often of a physical nature and regularly requires
some heavy lifting. Physical fitness and the ability to help with these tasks is therefore
important. It is also necessary that Vergers are able to work at height as the job entails
this on occasions.
Pastoral
(a) To exercise compassion and understanding with, in particular, vulnerable,
disadvantaged and/or homeless people who visit the cathedral, without
encouraging a dependency culture or being away from place of duty and
thereby compromising security.
(b) To show concern for visitors’ needs.
(c) To follow the Cathedral’s Safeguarding Policy.
DBS
All members of the Verger Team are subject to an enhanced check by the Disclosure
Barring Service.
Applications should be submitted to
Gillian Cook, Ely Cathedral, Chapter House, The College, Ely, CB7 4DL or
G.Cook@elycathedral.org
Closing Date: Monday 18 January 2016
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