Main Purpose of post

To work as a member of the ministry team with the Kirk Session over the full range of parish ministry and community outreach activities, taking on a leadership role on retirement of the current Minister and taking forward the parish grouping with St Cuthbert’s, leading to linkage and deferred union.

It is a locally funded appointment, offered on the basis of an initial fixed term of three years.

The Kirk Session of Greyfriars Kirk has resolved that all applicants for the vacancy will be considered, including ministers or ordinands who are in a civil partnership or a same-sex marriage.

The post holder should be an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland or partner church. A candidate for the ministry who has completed their probation could be ordained into the role.

Responsible to:

The Kirk Session of Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh and its Moderator

Greyfriars Kirk’s (GK) roots go back to 1620 and the site was a place of worship well before then. Today GK is a member of The Church of Scotland and it has a committed worshiping congregation. Through Greyfriars Outreach Ltd, the Kirk is available for rent for a variety of 3rd party uses such as music concerts, wedding receptions and special services. In addition, the Kirk welcomes about 55,000 visitors per year and visitor income is generated from donations and shop sales.

Kirk Income overall comes derives from a combination of congregational giving and Outreach business operations. GK also founded the Grassmarket Community Project (GCP) and the Greyfriars Charteris Centre (GCC) which both have independent management teams. The buildings for these organisations are leased from GK.

The role is a key role within GK. They will maintain the financial records of two separate entities (GK and Outreach) on Xero accounts. Both entities have separate bank accounts, and rely on feeder electronic applications such as Just Giving and Paypal. Most transactions are electronic although with congregational givings, visitor donations and a retail shop cash is used, and requires to be accounted for. This is a wide-ranging role and requires good numeric, IT (XERO, EXCEL and Word), organisational and communication skills and a can-do attitude. With a very small staff this role will also require hands on bookkeeping.

The role reports to the Operations Manager (OM), and they will be expected to support the OM in all day to day financial aspects. However, they will also be required to liaise with the Kirk Treasurer as required.

The role will also require an element of support and guidance over the bookkeeping and financial control at GCC, and preparation of draft management accounts for review.

The Caretaker is central to ensuring efficient day-to-day operation of Greyfriars Kirk. The person is responsible for setting up and preparing the interior for church services and Outreach events, routine maintenance and overseeing cleaning. They are responsible for overseeing visitor opening during the day. As duty manager (mostly evenings) they oversee rehearsals, concerts and social events. The Caretaker/Duty Manager will report directly to the Operations Manager.

DUTIES

• Setting up seating, staging, lighting and other required logistics for services, Outreach concerts, social events and visitor opening.
• Overseeing the volunteer welcomers’ during daytime visitor opening hours.
• Being Duty Manager (Building Manager) for third party Outreach events.
• Supervise part time caretaking staff for set-ups, derigs and cleaning.
• Keeping the building clean and well maintained.
• Maintaining the areas around the entrances/exits to the building.
• Undertaking minor repairs as required such as replacing light bulbs.
• Reporting building maintenance issues to the Operations Manager.
• Ensuring the security of the Kirk when working at the Kirk.
• Ensuring compliance with the Kirk’s Health and Safety policy.
• Other duties as appropriate to the role.

The workload of Caretaker will vary throughout the year and will require a proactive planned approach to meet the year round variable usage of the Kirk.

To find out more about the role, please download the job description below.

The Caretaker is central to ensuring efficient day-to-day running of Greyfriars Kirk. He is responsible for routine maintenance, setting up for services and Outreach events, cleaning and overseeing events as Duty Manager. The Caretaker will report directly to the Operations Manager.

A full job description is attached below.

Background

Greyfriars Kirk’s (GK) roots go back to 1620 and the site was a place of worship well before then. Today GK is a member of The Church of Scotland and it has a committed worshiping congregation. Through Greyfriars Outreach Ltd, the Kirk is available for rent for a variety of 3rd party uses such as music concerts, wedding receptions and special services. In addition, the Kirk welcomes about 60,000 visitors per year and visitor income is generated from donations and shop sales.

Kirk Income overall comes derives from a combination of congregational giving and Outreach business operations. GK also founded the Grassmarket Community Project (GCP) and the Greyfriars Charteris Centre (GCC) which both have independent management teams. The buildings for these organisations are leased from GK.

Role Purpose

The role of Bookkeeper is a key role within GK. He/she will maintain the financial records of two separate entities (GK and Outreach) on Xero accounts. Both entities have separate bank accounts, and rely on feeder electronic applications such as Just Giving and Paypal. Most transactions are electronic although with congregational givings, visitor donations and a retail shop cash is used, and requires to be accounted for. This is a wide-ranging role and requires good numeric, IT (XERO, EXCEL and Word), organisational and communication skills and a can-do attitude.

The Bookkeeper will report to the OM, and will be expected to support the OM in all day to day financial aspects. However the Bookkeeper will liaise with the Kirk Treasurer and the Kirk Accountant as required.

A full Job Description is available for download below.