Virger

£33,824 per annum plus benefits

35 hours per week

Are you a warm, organised and welcoming individual who is a member of the Church of England?

St Paul's Cathedral seek a number of such individuals to join their team as a Virger. As a member of the Virgers team, you will be involved in the stage management of all services and events in the Cathedral, from the daily round of services throughout the church's year, forming the heart-beat of our Cathedral life, to stage managing national, televised services and events, often at short notice, and always aiming to meet the mood of the nation.

You will be part of a department at the focal point of our pastoral support and safeguarding of those we encounter who are vulnerable or in need, being the central contact point between our clergy and safeguarding team, and all other staff and volunteers working on the Cathedral Floor. You will be part of a department acting as a central hub, involved in the daily running of the Church Floor, facilitating the work of all other departments working inside St Paul's Cathedral.

As an individual you will be a communicant member of the Church of England; you will be able to provide a welcoming, caring and compassionate approach when dealing with all visitors, regardless of their reason for visiting the Cathedral; you will be reliable and calm under pressure with the ability to use your own initiative; you will be flexible in your approach, be able to work collaboratively and have an excellent eye for detail. Ideally, you will have a basic knowledge of the liturgy of the Church of England and an appreciation of the different worship traditions.

Today, you may be a teacher, social worker, carer, stage manager, orchestrator, administrator, visitor experience guide, counsellor, event planner, Christian leader, charity worker, fundraiser... you may be someone who is looking to return to work, or who is looking for their first full-time role or someone looking to cross-train someway through their career. We seek for our Virgers to be as diverse in experience and life as the visitors and worshippers we welcome daily to our magnificent Cathedral and community.

Purpose of the Job

The Dean's Virger and Deputy Head Virger manage the Cathedral floor on a day-to-day basis, assisted by a team of Virgers in delivering the Cathedral's mission and ministry. The role of the Virger, therefore, is to:

• Prepare for and assist at services in collaboration with the Cathedral Clergy.
• Assist and support other departments at all other events taking place in the Cathedral.
• Be the link between worship, events, sightseeing and fabric matters, ensuring that the ethos of the Cathedral and the welcome the Cathedral provides is visible in all.
• Be a warm and welcoming presence to worshippers, visitors, clergy, VIPs and those in need.
• Take responsibility for those areas delegated by the Dean's Virger and ensure the Dean's Virger is fully informed of the delegated area.

Person Specification

• An Anglican communicant or a communicant of a church in communion with the Church of England.
• A sympathy with and a willingness to work within the ethos of the Cathedral.
• Able to support the Dean's Virger in developing their vision for the Virgers' team, and leading that team in the absence of the Dean's Virger.
• Reliable and calm under pressure.
• A warm caring supportive and compassionate approach when dealing with all individuals being able to separate the person from the behaviour and to handle disruptive behaviour in an appropriate manner whilst always showing respect for the person.
• The ability to multi-task in a fast-paced working environment.
• The ability both to lead and to work as part of a team. Able to work for a number of different clergy and senior lay staff at different times, while providing the same professionally high standard of support.
• Professional and accountable approach to work.
• Excellent attention to detail and a willingness to set high standards.
• Excellent organisationalskills. An ability to plan, prioritise and manage workloads and to meet deadlines.
• Calm, practical and flexible approach. Able to manage demands under pressure and to handle last minute changes with a calm and positive attitude.
• A good clear and confident communicator not only among the Virgers team but with all departments and personnel throughout the Cathedral.
• Experienced at the liturgical aspects which make up a significant part of the Virgers' role, and having a basic knowledge of the liturgy of the Church of England and an appreciation of the different worship traditions.
• Good IT skills.
• Able to work at heights, climb stairs, lift and carry.
• A positive, cheerful nature with an ability to work effectively and collaboratively and to build strong and effective relationships.

The individual will be in sympathy with, and in their work support, the Christian aims and mission of St Paul's Cathedral

For full details and to apply, please clink the link below.

The closing date for applications is Friday 16th of August 2024 at 23:59pm. Interviews are Friday 30th August 2024.