The Executive Assistant provides proactive administrative support to the Bishop of Ripon. They represent the Bishop’s Office and are often the first point of contact.
The Bishop of Ripon is one of five Episcopal Area Bishops in the Diocese of Leeds, working with the Bishop of the Diocese. Each Bishop has a part-time PA, who form a supportive team, meeting together regularly throughout the year. The Ripon Episcopal Area is geographically the largest of the five areas (circa 1,500 sq miles) extending from the environs of the A1, up to the edge of County Durham, over to Bentham and some of Lancashire in the West, and down to Skipton, Harrogate, Knaresborough and the edge of the Vale of York in the South. As well as overseeing the Ripon Episcopal Area the Bishop has some diocesan responsibilities, which necessitate travel around the Diocese, and national responsibilities which include travel to London and elsewhere in the country. The planning of the Bishop’s diary will reflect the travel involved. The Bishop’s Office is based at Redwood, in Sharow in a building adjacent to the Bishop’s home. The office is a modern, well-equipped space set in lovely surroundings with plenty of free parking.
The postholder will manage the Bishop’s Office and ensure that work for the Bishop of Ripon is completed to a high standard. Much of the work is highly confidential, so the postholder must be able to deal with this discreetly and sensitively. The EA is a vital part of the local Ripon Area team but must be able to work independently and use initiative as necessary. Commitment to supporting the Bishop’s ministry is essential, and a good understanding of the Christian Faith and Anglican worship is helpful.
Daily tasks will include prioritising mail and messages, organising the Bishop’s diary, drafting replies and/or briefing papers as appropriate, producing communication and paperwork around the Bishop’s appointments (including church visits and clergy meetings) promptly, attending and arranging events and meetings and in general ensuring that the Bishop is properly resourced and supported in his/her work. As well as overseeing the Ripon Episcopal Area, the Bishop has some diocesan responsibilities, which necessitate travel around the Diocese, and national responsibilities which include travel to London and elsewhere in the country. The planning of the Bishop’s diary will reflect the travel involved.
The EA will have key working relationships with other senior staff in the Diocese and particularly those in the Ripon Area. The EA will work closely with the Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven and their PA. The postholder will also be in frequent contact with the Area and Assistant Area Deans and other Area Officers.
As the Bishop is often out of the office, the post-holder should be a self-starter and capable of using their initiative with regard to planning and managing their workload.
For more information, and to apply for the post, please go to: https://careers.churchofengland.org/en/sites/NCICareers/job/23
For applicants who may like to explore the role as a job share should also apply.
The interviews will be held on Wednesday 18th March 2026