Head of the Private Office Archbishop

The Archbishop of York's office is based at Bishopthorpe Palace on the outskirts of York, offering a unique and pleasant working environment. Staff at Bishopthorpe Palace form a close-knit and collaborative team, supporting the Archbishop's ministry across the Province of York, nationally, and internationally.

The role of the Head of the Private Office of the Archbishop of York is to provide strategic oversight and operational leadership for the Archbishop's Private Office, ensuring the highest standards of organisation, communication and administrative support.

The postholder serves as a trusted adviser and principal point of coordination, providing exceptional executive support while exercising sound judgement, discretion and emotional intelligence in a complex and fast-paced environment. Responsible for the smooth and effective operation of the Private Office, the role manages highly sensitive matters with integrity and professionalism, maintains strict confidentiality, and supports the wider mission and ministry of the Archbishop through effective planning, stakeholder engagement and leadership.

Responsibilities

Strategic Diary and Programme Management

• Be responsible for the strategic planning and management of the Archbishop's diary, ensuring alignment with agreed priorities and objectives.
• Be responsible for the day to day management of the Archbishop's diary.
• Assess requests, invitations and opportunities, making recommendations on the effective use of the Archbishop's time.
• Balance strategic priorities with pastoral, diocesan, national, ecumenical, civic, public and international commitments.
• Identify risks, conflicts and emerging opportunities, adapting plans as required.
• Ensure timely and appropriate responses to requests and correspondence relating to the Archbishop's programme.

Engagement Planning and Delivery

• Coordinate the planning and delivery of meetings, visits, events and speaking engagements, ensuring they are well organised and achieve agreed outcomes.
• Monitor briefing deadlines.
• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery and communication.
• Ensure all logistical, administrative and safeguarding requirements are met.

Partnership with the Chief of Staff and Senior Leadership Team

• Work closely with the Chief of Staff, who is ultimately responsible for the Archbishop's schedule, and Senior Leadership Team to align the Archbishop's programme with the Archbishop's strategic objectives.
• Support the implementation of decisions and ensure effective coordination across the Archbishop's Office, with Lambeth Palace, with the Diocese of York and, in particular, the Bishop of Selby's Office.

Briefing and Correspondence

• Commission, coordinate and quality-assure briefings for meetings, visits and engagements.
• Draft and review correspondence, briefing notes and other materials as required.
• Ensure the Archbishop receives accurate, timely and concise information to support decision-making and engagement preparation.

Private Office Leadership

• Lead and continuously develop the operation of the Private Office, ensuring it delivers a professional, responsive and high-quality service.
• Line-manage the Correspondence & Private Office Assistant (1 post).
• Develop and maintain effective systems, processes and workflows to support diary management, correspondence and engagement planning.
• Be the budget holder for the Private Office and associated Archbishop's costs and participate in the annual budget setting process.
• Monitor actions and commitments, ensuring high standards of service, professionalism and continuous improvement.
• Build strong working relationships with the Lambeth Private Office to ensure effective coordination and alignment.
• Build a strong working relationships with the Bishop of Selby's office, together with the offices of the Bishops of Hull and Whitby and the York Diocesan Office to ensure effective coordination and alignment.
• Build strong working relationships with the Bishop to the Archbishops, and their office, together with other NCI leadership teams and departments.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior…