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Sub Dean Application Pack

2 About Christ Church

4 Job Description

6 Person Specification

7 Terms and Conditions

8 Worship Patterns

9 Cathedral Staff Organisation Chart

10 How to Apply

Advert placed in the Church Times on 14th and 21st February 2020

Sub Dean

Christ Church, the Cathedral for the Diocese of Oxford and a college of the University of Oxford,

is seeking to appoint a new Sub Dean.

The role of the Sub Dean is broad. Primary skills include a need for leadership, discernment,

resilience, integrity, and financial awareness as well as the ability to work collaboratively with a

wide range of people, including volunteers.

As a key member of the Cathedral’s Chapter, the Sub Dean has delegated responsibility from the Dean for managing the day to day operations of

the Cathedral. In addition, the Sub Dean participates in college life as a member of the

Governing Body of Christ Church and its committees. The Sub Dean must be a priest in holy orders from a church in communion with the Church of England. The salary is that of a Residentiary Canon within the Church and a

house is provided.

An application pack is available on the Christ Church website www.chch.ox.ac.uk/vacancies

For more information, please contact the Cathedral Registrar (john.briggs@chch.ox.ac.uk).

The closing date for applications is 5 pm on Monday 9th March. Interviews will take place on

Tuesday 24th March at Christ Church.

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About Christ Church

Christ Church (Aedes Christi or simply 'the House') is a Royal Foundation dating from 1546. Yet it traces its history back not only to Wolsey's Cardinal College in the early sixteenth century but to the Augustinian Priory that preceded it, and indeed to the seventh-century figure of St Frideswide, whose restored shrine has become once again a place of pilgrimage in the Latin Chapel today. Cathedral, College, and School together make up a complex and unique institution committed to education, learning and religion. Its head is The Dean, the Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy. The Visitor is Her Majesty the Queen.

Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford, which consists of the geographical counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. It is also the chapel of Christ Church at the University of Oxford. This dual role as cathedral and college chapel is unique.

Christ Church's Statutes delegate management of the Cathedral and the Cathedral School to the Dean and Canons, known as Chapter. The Dean, the Sub Dean, four professorial Canons, the Diocesan Canon Precentor and the Archdeacon of Oxford constitute the Cathedral Chapter. With the exception of the Diocesan Canon Precentor, all also sit on the Governing Body along with the Official Students of Christ Church and College officers. Four of the Canons also actively serve on the Board of Governors of Christ Church Cathedral School along with the Headmaster, Richard Murray, and other advisory Governors. Under the leadership of the Sub Dean and the Cathedral Registrar, the Cathedral employs full-time vergers, musicians and administration staff, an Education Team, and the Visitor Officer. The Cathedral gratefully enjoys a significant offering of volunteer ministry from Honorary Cathedral Chaplains, the Cathedral LLM, Day Chaplains, Guides, Sidesmen, Flower Arrangers, Bell Ringers, and Embroiderers, amongst others.

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The College has over 600 undergraduate and graduate students from all walks of life, both from the UK and overseas, along with a thriving academic faculty and an extensive staff. The Cathedral School, founded by Henry VIII to provide boy Choristers and a Schoolmaster, is located in Brewer Street, opposite Christ Church. It not only continues to educate the boys of the Cathedral Choir but, through its nursery, pre-prep and prep departments, offers wider provision for over 150 children from age 3 to 13.

Christ Church is also one of the major Oxford tourist attractions, with around 450,000 visitors a year drawn not only by its architecture, history, and international academic reputation but also its connections to Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter.

Music is a key part of the life of the whole foundation and is principally overseen by the Organist, Professor Steven Grahl, who directs the Cathedral Choir of boys, Academical Clerks, and Lay Clerks, as well as the Organ Scholars and the Sub-Organist. The Cathedral Singers, a voluntary choir of women and men, sings at around one hundred services a year, under the direction of their Director of Music, James Potter, and Organist, Simon Hogan.

Our newest choir is the Frideswide Voices of Christ Church, a girls' choir drawn from more than 20 schools across the county, which became a permanent part of the Foundation in September 2019 under the direction of Helen Smee. The College Choir regularly sings on Mondays in term time and for the House Communion. During the summer, the Cathedral also welcomes many visiting choirs.

Chapter operates based upon an understanding of the Cathedral as serving four primary roles: as Mother Church of the Diocese; as a focus of civic celebration; as College Chapel; and as a focus of congregational worship and mission. The Cathedral is embracing the opportunities offered by the Association of English Cathedrals' Year of Pilgrimage in 2020.

For further information on the Christ Church, Cathedral and School, see: www.chch.ox.ac.uk and www.cccs.org.uk. For information on our choirs, see: www.chchchoir.org, cathedralsingers.org.uk and frideswidevoices.co.uk.

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Job Description

BACKGROUND

Unlike other Cathedrals, the Dean of Christ Church is both the Head of House of the College, chairing the Governing Body and Head of the Cathedral, chairing Chapter. This dual responsibility means that much of the work normally performed by a Cathedral Dean is actively delegated to the Sub Dean. The role of the Sub Dean therefore has a broad remit, requiring the ability for close working collaborative relationships with the Dean and other key members of Governing Body.

Christ Church is a highly complex institution and is at present undertaking a governance review in collaboration with the Charity Commission. The Sub Dean will be able to contribute to the governance review, as will all members of Governing Body. The review may result in changes to existing management and governance arrangements. At present, the Cathedral’s daily life is primarily managed by the Sub Dean with extensive support from the Cathedral Registrar, the Cathedral Secretary and the Liturgy Office managed by the Succentor.

Overall management of the Cathedral sits with Chapter which comprises eight full members: four academics who are professors in the University, the Archdeacon of Oxford, the Diocesan Canon Precentor (who is part of the Diocesan TIME team working with curates and ministerial formation and heads up liturgy in the Cathedral) as well as the Sub Dean and Dean. In practice, Chapter meetings are also attended by the Cathedral Registrar, Organist, Succentor, Public Engagement Manager and College Chaplain who all participate fully. Nevertheless, the Sub Dean is the only priest who is focused full time on Cathedral activities.

1. CATHEDRAL

- Management of the Cathedral, supporting the Dean. Attendance at and significant contribution to weekly Dean’s management meeting which is also attended by the Diocesan Canon Precentor, Cathedral Registrar and Public Engagement Manager;

- Member of the Chapter which meets three or four times each academic term. Chairing the meeting in the absence of the Dean;

- Acting as weekly Canon in Residence on a rota basis with other Canons. Presiding and preaching at Cathedral services, whilst taking the lead liturgical role for special Cathedral services. Ensuring that the work of the Cathedral is equally shared between Chapter members and other Cathedral staff;

- Leading the pastoral work of the Cathedral with the congregation, assisted by the Succentor; - Acting as Vice Chair of the Governors of the Cathedral School and acting as lead contact

with the Headmaster; - Overseeing the Education work of the Cathedral, supported by the Education Officer and

their team;

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- Committee member of the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral, contributing to the events working group;

- Oversight of fabric work on the Cathedral in conjunction with the Registrar and Operations Manager;

- Acting as a Trustee of Christ Church Cathedral Music Trust; - Planning special services and events with the Diocesan Canon Precentor (such as Lent

courses, Summer lectures and other events); - Oversight of the Cathedral’s marketing, publicity and website, including the regular ‘What’s

On’ guides; - Assisting the Organist with the auditioning of lay clerks for the Cathedral Choir; - Overseeing the relationships with the large number of Cathedral volunteers; - Acting as a line manager to the Public Engagement Manager, the Education Manager, the

Diocesan Canon Precentor and the Cathedral Registrar, conducting staff appraisals and other personnel functions as specified in the staff handbook.

2. CHRIST CHURCH as a whole

- Participating as a member of Governing Body (GB) in the life of Christ Church. Attending certain GB Committees as Canon representing the Cathedral (for example House Committee, Building Sub Committee and the GB committee for the Cathedral School). Engaging as an ambassador for the Cathedral across the whole Institution;

- Liaison with the Censors and the Treasurer over Cathedral matters and with the Steward concerning tourism activities, including attendance at the regular Extended Dean and Censors meetings;

- Patronage – oversight of relations with the 80 Christ Church livings including the appointment of incumbents. Leading the arrangements for the biennial conference for incumbents. Participating in meetings of the Doctor South Trust which gives grants to Incumbents of livings;

- Regularly lunching and dining in college and being involved in the social life of the Senior Common Room.

3. DIOCESE and beyond

- Welcoming new clergy to the Diocese, hosting new Deacons and LLM’s. Involvement and contribution in Church House orientation days;

- Sharing attendance with the Dean at Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod, involvement in Deanery Synod and Deanery Chapter;

- Attendance, shared with the Dean, at national Deans’ meetings and the Deans’ Conference; - Representing the Cathedral at the AGM of the Association of English Cathedrals.

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Person Specification

Essential Skills and Qualifications

- At least six full years in priest’s orders within the Church of England or another church within the Anglican Communion (or by agreement with the appointment panel, a church in full communion with the Church of England);

- Commitment to the work of prayer and the daily offices, including study of Christian liturgy, worship and the Anglican choral tradition;

- Excellent discernment skills, knowing when to step forward and when to hold back; - Resilience and integrity; - Ability and commitment to building bridges, fostering collaboration and encouraging high

levels of morale; - Strong organisational, administrative and IT skills; - Ability to grasp complex detail and see matters through to completion; - Discretion handling sensitive information, able to act as a trusted and confidential sounding

board when required; - Experience of line managing a diverse team of supporting staff; - Approachable with strong communication, presentation and listening skills; - Demonstrable understanding of the unique requirements of working within the specific

context of Christ Church Cathedral as part of a wider collegiate environment; - Up to date safeguarding training with a strong track record of effective safeguarding with

both children and vulnerable adults.

Desirable Skills and Qualifications

- MA or higher level qualification in theology or a related discipline; - Considerable experience of managing change and the implementation of strategic plans; - Experience in liturgy and an effective communicator of the Gospel, including preaching; - Experience of volunteer engagement; - Proven responsibility for inter-faith or inter-denominational relations; - Experience of being a school governor; - Full driving licence and use of own car for work related matters.

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Terms and Conditions

The Sub Dean will be paid a stipend equivalent to that of a Residentiary Canon in the Diocese of Oxford (currently £29,342 with the expectation of an increase in April 2020). Reasonable expenses shall be reimbursed where authorised.

Non-contributory pension payments will be made to an appropriate pension scheme as determined by Chapter in consultation with the successful candidate. This will most likely be the Church of England Pension Scheme for clergy and church workers.

Suitable accommodation for the better performance of the Sub Dean’s duties will be provided by Dean & Chapter; water rates and council tax will be paid. As a residentiary Canon of Christ Church, housing is provided in the Sub Deanery, a large six bedroomed house with extensive gardens located on the north side of Tom Quad. A garage and separate parking space are also provided.

A study in the Sub Deanery has traditionally been used as the Sub Dean’s office, although there are plans to develop a bespoke Cathedral office in the grounds behind the Cathedral which would provide separate office accommodation for the Sub Dean when these plans come to fruition.

The successful candidate will be a full member of the Senior Common Room which grants, among other things, dining rights for lunch and dinner, when the kitchens are open. The Sub Dean’s SCR meals (but not of non-Cathedral guests) will be borne by Christ Church, while the Sub Dean will pay modest termly quarterage charges.

The Sub Dean is appointed under letters patent issued by the Crown and the holding of this ecclesiastical office is specifically exempted from Common Tenure. The Sub Dean is however subject to the provisions of the Christ Church Staff Handbook which provides the basis under which non-academic employees work at Christ Church. Chapter expects all Cathedral clergy to seek permission to officiate within the Diocese from the Bishop of Oxford on appointment.

The Sub Dean is entitled to one full day off per week. In order to provide continuity of clergy cover, this will not usually be the same day as the Diocesan Canon Precentor or the Succentor’s days off (currently Fridays and Mondays respectively). The Sub Dean is entitled to up to 36 days’ holiday per year plus bank holidays (or time off in lieu where there is a reasonable expectation to work (such as at Christmas or Easter). This may be restricted where a requested holiday would leave the Cathedral liturgically or pastorally understaffed but is not otherwise limited by school or college term dates.

The role is subject to a genuine occupational religious requirement.

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Worship Patterns

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Cathedral Staff Organisation

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How to apply

Please complete the attached application form to the Cathedral Registrar by e-mail to john.briggs@chch.ox.ac.uk or by post to:

John Briggs

Cathedral Registrar Cathedral Offices

Christ Church St. Aldate’s

Oxford OX1 1DP

For more information, please contact the Cathedral Registrar, direct line: 01865 286846

The closing date for applications is 5 pm on Monday 9th March. Shortlisted candidates will be notified on Friday 13th March. Interviews will take place on Tuesday 24th March at Christ Church.

For candidates travelling from distance, accommodation in College is available on request.

Offer of employment is subject to proof of right to work in the UK, satisfactory references, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and, where appropriate, medical clearance.

Photographs are copyright © Ralph Willliamson, © Mark Hook and © Clare Hayns. Reproduced by kind permission.