Interim Chaplain to the Acting Bishop of Guildford

The Bishop of Guildford is seeking to appoint the Interim Chaplain to the Acting Bishop of Guildford. This is a pivotal role supporting the Bishop's ministry across the Diocese. Working closely with clergy, diocesan colleagues, parishes, and external partners, the Chaplain provides pastoral, strategic, and administrative leadership, oversees key clergy processes and safeguarding matters, and helps ensure the Bishop's priorities and ministry are delivered effectively throughout the diocese.

Description

To support the strategic and operational ministry of the Acting Bishop of Guildford.

The Bishop of Dorking became Acting Bishop of Guildford on 18 February 2026. He is expecting to fulfil this role for up to two years before a new Bishop of Guildford is welcomed in early 2028.

He has established three foci for his ministry during this time: (i) prayer; (ii) pastoral care; (iii) the priorities of discipleship (including revitalisation) and children and young people. In addition to this, as the sole bishop in the diocese for this period, he is seeking to enable the Bishop's Office to run as efficiently and smoothly as possible

This post has attached to it an occupational requirement under the 2010 Equality Act, Part 1, Schedule 9. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS with Adult and Child Barred Lists check (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance.

Work Pattern:

• Working hours will generally align with standard office hours, with flexibility to adjust the schedule to accommodate weekend teaching and preaching commitments.
• The Chaplain is expected to support and lead worship in parishes across the diocese on Sundays when not required to assist the Bishop.
• A flexible approach to working hours is essential to meet the demands and responsibilities of the role.

Place of work:

• Willow Grange (Home of the Bishop of Guildford) Woking Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7QS
• Dayspring (Home of the Bishop of Dorking), Pilgrims Way, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 8AD and some home working.

Accommodation is provided by the Guildford Diocesan Board of Finance.

This is a fixed-term contract for an initial period of 18 months, with the potential of being extended for a further 6 months.

Please review the Recruitment cover letter from the Bishop of Dorking and Acting Bishop of Guildford, The Rt Revd Paul Davies. To access the full Job Description, please click here.

Application Process: A CV (no longer than 2 sides of A4) and a letter of application, explaining why this role would appeal to you and providing evidence that you have the necessary attributes and gifts for the task (no longer than 2 sides of A4).

The closing date is Wednesday 12th August 2026 at 12 noon.

Interviews will take place in Guildford on Thursday 20 August 2026.

Responsibilities

1. To support the strategic ministry of the Bishop through
2. To support the operational ministry of the Bishop through

- Administration (in co-operation with the Bishops PAs)

- Oversight

- Legal

- Safeguarding

- Hospitality

About You

1. 1. Spiritual, personal and emotional maturity:
      • Be spiritually motivated and have a strong, secure and generous faith in Jesus Christ, rooted in prayer and theological study.
      • Be an ordained priest in the Church of England or Church in full Communion with it, designated at selection as Incumbent Status/Stipendiary who has satisfactorily completed IME1-7.
      • Be liturgically competent and sensitive.
      • Have a lively intellect that reflects theologically.
      • Be emotionally intelligent and able to act sensitively.
      • Be able to maintain high levels of confidentiality and impartiality.
      • Be resilient, dependable and stay calm under pressure.
      • Be capable of robust engagement and debate in coming to corporate decisions and commitment to implementing and supporting decisions.

      • Demonstrate personal loyalty to colleagues.

   2. Administrative and organisational ability:

      • Have a focused and disciplined approach to work with the ability to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines. * Have proven administrative and drafting skills, capable of accurate attention to detail. * Be computer literate and possess the vision to use IT to improve systems and efficiency: someone who is at home in the digital world and sufficiently used to working effectively and securely with cloud-based information sharing. * Be adaptable and flexible and able to prioritise and meet a broad set of demands and deadlines. * Have ability to provide written or oral briefings. * Have experience of developing and ensuring others implement processes or administrative systems. * Have experience of participating in recruitment or other HR processes within or beyond the Church. * Have knowledge and experience of working within safeguarding policies and framework and be able to respond to issues diplomatically and pastorally. * Have experience of supporting a leader or senior manager.

   3. Interpersonal and relational skills:
      • Be approachable and personable with honed social skills.
      • Be a collaborative person and cohesive influence within teams.
      • Be an active listener who reads situations well and expresses an interest in and care for others.
      • Be able to communicate clearly and articulately one-to-one and in groups.

      • Have emotional intelligence, the ability to identify and assess their own and others' emotions and demonstrate self-control.

   4. Other personal attributes:
      • Leading by example, demonstrating enthusiastic commitment to the ministry and priorities of the Acting Bishop of Guildford and the Church of England, and an understanding that the purpose of working for the bishop in this role is to serve the Kingdom of God.
      • Possessing a high level of personal credibility and a natural authority, a person who engages and commands the confidence and respect of others quickly.
      • A natural alliance builder with a flexible approach to working with other groups and organisations and to sharing resources and information.
      • Strong personal commitment to equalities and diversity in employment and service delivery, with a caring and respectful attitude to staff.
      • A positive team member who contributes, supports and leads as the situation requires, in order to maximise the effectiveness of the team's work.
      • Willingness and availability to work outside normal office hours where appropriate and necessary, including weekends, on occasion.
      • This role may require some national travel.