Volunteer Lay Members of Chapter

Volunteer Lay Members of Chapter

We are seeking three new lay volunteers to join the Chapter, the Cathedral's governing body and board of trustees.

Position: Lay Members of Chapter

Location: Chichester

Contract: Chapter members are appointed for an initial three-year period and may be reappointed for a further three years.

Chapter meets 6 or 7 times a year and these are, ideally, in-person meetings held at the Cathedral though it can usually accommodate online participation. These meetings are generally up to three hours long and members are also required to prepare in advance. One of the six meetings is reserved to include a full day “Away Day” which is usually held at another location.

Closing Date: 9.00am, 17 August 2026

Interviews: 2 September 2026, Chichester

The Role

These voluntary positions offer an opportunity to help shape the future of the Cathedral, supporting its mission, governance and long-term sustainability. We are particularly interested in individuals who can provide strategic leadership with experience in safeguarding, commercial operations or data protection.

Lay Chapter Members work collaboratively with clergy, employees and fellow trustees to provide oversight, constructive challenge and strategic direction. Chapter normally meets six or seven times each year, and reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

We're seeking communicant members of the Church of England who can think strategically, work collaboratively and contribute positively to the governance of a complex organisation. Successful candidates will be able to analyse information, support sound decision-making and act as ambassadors for the Cathedral.

About You

The Cathedrals Measure requires that Chapter Members are communicant members of the Church of England or of another church which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

You will have experience in one of the following key areas:

Safeguarding - Significant experience, understanding or professional exposure to safeguarding, risk management, compliance or regulatory frameworks.

Commercial operations - Commercial operations experience in either property, hospitality or retail, ideally obtained within a similar environment.

GDPR - A good understanding of relevant data protection laws, including GDPR, PECR, and their application within a charity setting.

About the Organisation

The Cathedral is a living, working place of worship that has been at the centre of life in Chichester for over nine centuries. It is the Mother Church of the Diocese, which covers East and West Sussex and it is also a visitor attraction, a venue for music and the arts and an all-round hub for the community welcoming over 350,000 visitors each year.  Staff do not have to be Christian, but you should understand the Christian mission. 

You may also have experience in areas such as Safeguarding, Commercial Operations, Operations, GDPR, Data, Safeguarding Officer, Commercial Operations Officer, Operations Officer, GDPR Officer, Data Officer, Safeguarding Manager, Commercial Operations Manager, Operations Manager, GDPR Manager, Data Manager.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP