Vacancy at the AEC – Executive Director

We are currently seeking to appoint a new Executive Director. You can find the full job description, which includes details of the recruitment timetable and how you can apply by clicking the link below.

Find out more and apply – Executive Director Association of English Cathedrals.

About the AEC

The Association of English Cathedrals (AEC) is a support, resource, and advocate for all Church of England cathedrals. We are here to support our cathedrals to flourish today and to be sustainable for future generations.

The AEC was formed in 1990 as an unincorporated association to represent the interests of English Anglican Cathedrals in negotiations with English Heritage about a Cathedrals Grant Scheme. It is now a collaborative network and a strategic resource for all Church of England cathedrals.

The AEC exists to help raise the profile, and resource cathedrals’ with their mission and ministry potential. It seeks strategically to support our cathedrals by networking, storytelling, reflection, advocacy, training and research, so they can witness to the constancy of God’s love for all creation in Jesus Christ and offer a perspective on the world we inhabit.

The AEC’s role in supporting all Church of England cathedrals is now more important than ever. The majority of English Cathedrals are grappling with a significant funding deficit, placing pressure on their dual role of places of worship and cultural landmarks. The rising costs of maintenance, energy, insurance, compliance and governance have outpaced the income generated from donations, events and limited grants. More … >

Executive Director

The Association of English Cathedrals is seeking a dynamic and visionary Executive Director to lead the organisation into its next phase of growth and development. As the key leader of the AEC, the Executive Director will bring strategic oversight and support to English Cathedrals, ensuring they are able to thrive in the modern world and celebrating their spiritual, cultural and historical significance.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in the cathedral sector and an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing cathedrals today. The Executive Director will be an inspiring leader, skilled in strategic planning and fostering collaborative partnerships, with a clear commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability and relevance of English Cathedrals. More … >

Key Responsibilities – Leadership and Strategic Vision

• Support the AEC Executive to think and act strategically to develop long term plans which support cathedrals’ sustainability and growth
• Be a strategic advocate for the importance and needs of cathedrals

Advocacy and Representation

• Monitor and respond as appropriate on behalf of cathedrals to government and other consultations
• Advocating for English Cathedral, liaise with other organisations, including the ChurchesLegislation Advisory Service, Charity Tax Group, Historic England, the Heritage Alliance, the Historic Religious Buildings Alliance, and the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, to ensure the role and needs of cathedrals are understood and represented, and cathedrals contribute to and support sector developments
• Commission on behalf of cathedrals research that demonstrates the value of cathedrals, and the range of contributions they make, to government, other external bodies and stakeholders
• Ensure that there is active promotion of cathedrals in traditional and social media.

Sharing good practice

• Build effective working relationships with those working in cathedrals, national church institutions, and other organisations, providing support and advice
• Organise and facilitate meetings and encourage other networking of various groups withincathedrals, as appropriate working with CAFA, so that expertise can be shared and people supported in their work in cathedrals
• Produce, working with CAFA and others as appropriate, guidance and resources to enable cathedrals to function more effectively. More … >

To read the full job description, person specification, terms and conditions and our recruitment process click here.

Thank you for considering this role and we hope that you will decide to apply.