VACANCIES

The Head of Operations will oversee the smooth and efficient operational and financial running of River Church, as part of the senior leadership team.

Full-time | £30,000-£40,000

Closing date: 10th April 2026

Job title: Head of Operations

Department: Operations

Reports to: Senior Leaders

Direct reports: Comms & Media Manager, Sports Ministry Lead, Cleaner & Site Assistant

Principal location: River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ

DBS check required: Yes

Special conditions of employment: There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010.

Start date: As soon as possible (flexible for the right candidate)

Working days/hours: Full-time (Monday to Friday)

Salary: £30,000-40,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Travel: May be required on occasion

Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Probation period: 6 months

Contract length: Permanent, subject to successful completion of probation period.

Other expectations: The role holder will need to be available to work some other key dates outside the usual working pattern, such as special services (Christmas, Easter etc.), annual meetings, and Focus (our annual one-week church holiday in the summer). It is expected that staff members will be active members of River Church (regularly worshipping on Sundays, praying, serving, giving, and growing in a Hangout).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with Senior Leaders to develop and implement strategy in line with the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church

• Establish and manage systems and processes for the effective running of River Church and its office, including the ChurchSuite database

• Oversee the management, maintenance and development of all venues and facilities, including any on-going building or repair works, liaising with the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) where applicable, and leading the Site Team

• Oversee venue bookings, working with other staff and volunteers, and liaising with external and internal users of the building

• Manage all aspects of Fire Safety, Health and Safety, Food Hygiene, and Safeguarding, maintaining and implementing compliant policies

• Oversee the organisational architecture of River Church, including Human Resources, training, contracts, holidays, payroll, and staff and volunteer recruitment

• Oversee IT, technology, and communications (website, social media, and branding managed by the Comms and Media Manager)

• Oversee legal and financial functions of River Church, including insurance, budget setting and forecasting, procurement, making payments, cash flow, timely preparation and submission of accounts and annual reports, and expenses, and using ExpensePlus software

• Oversee the submission of regular, high-quality grant funding applications to grow the financial capacity of River Church (with much of this work carried out by the Fundraiser, currently vacant)

• Oversee gathering of metrics and impact reporting for internal use, as well as for the Diocese, Revitalise Trust, and grant funders

• Co-ordinate all aspects of the operational running of events and activities at River Church

• Recruit, lead, develop, and co-ordinate the volunteers within the Operations Team, discipling and pastoring Operations volunteers and staff

• Line manage staff and volunteers as appropriate, enabling them to work independently and efficiently

• Attend and contribute to Staff Meeting, and Tuesday morning Prayer Meeting, and when required also, Sunday Services and other River Church events such as Focus

• Regularly pray for the financial and operational life of River Church

• Ad hoc tasks and other project work

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Personal qualities and beliefs

It is essential that the role holder:

• has a mature, personal faith in and relationship with God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• believes and embodies the orthodox Christian teaching revealed in the Bible

• is demonstrably committed to their own discipleship (i.e., praying, serving, giving, and sharing faith)

• is committed to the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church

• is passionate about church operations

Personal skills and abilities

It is essential that the role holder:

• has excellent teamwork and team-building skills, and is able to manage, motivate, and encourage others

• has excellent organisational skills and time management

• is self-motivated

• has outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, including an excellent level of English spelling, punctuation, and grammar

• has the ability to teach, train and develop leaders and volunteers in the Operations Team

• has excellent attention to detail and high production values

• is able to manage an organisational budget

• is flexible, with a can-do attitude

• is teachable, humble, and has a desire to learn and grow

• understands the importance of confidentiality, and is trustworthy and reliable, with a good self-awareness

• has enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and a sense of humour

Knowledge, qualifications, and experience

It is essential that the role holder:

• has excellent IT skills, and experience in and/or the ability to learn to use Mac OS X, ChurchSuite, Squarespace, and Expense Plus

• has excellent financial management skills, including the ability to produce and manage budgets and cash flow, apply for grant funding and Gift Aid, manage payroll and expenses, and submit reports and returns

• is capable of understanding and creating legal documents, including those related to employment and premises leases, for example

• is able to efficiently manage room bookings, hires, and relevant invoices

• has a good understanding of premises and facilities development

• has a thorough and up-to-date understanding of statutory child protection and safeguarding requirements, health and safety legislation, and other legal aspects of operations

• holds a bachelors degree (or higher level qualification), ideally in a field related to the role

It is desirable that the role holder:

• has prior experience managing staff, and ideally leading a department

• has worked within the HTB Network of churches (or is able to demonstrate a strong level of familiarity and alignment with the Network’s vision, values, and ecclesiology), in a city centre resource church setting or another large church

• has prior experience working with contracts, employment, and legal proceedings

• has other relevant qualifications in a field related to the role (i.e., accountancy, business management)

• has an eye for design and is able to develop the River Church brand identity

• has other relevant experience or skills related to the role or other areas of ministry

NOTES FOR APPLICANTS

We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose ethnicities are underrepresented in the Church of England. We would welcome informal conversations with anybody considering applying for this position. Email hello@riverchurchipswich.org to get in touch. When completing the application form, please feel free to continue your answers on separate pages if you require more room.

We reserve the right to close applications and/or shortlist at any time. As such, we recommend applying for this role at your earliest convenience.

We will inform you as to whether or not you will be invited for interview within 5 full working days of applications closing.

Interviews will be held in person at River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ.

Please bring your passport (and, if necessary, proof of right to work in the UK) and a document showing proof of your home address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your interview.

Please note that any offers made are subject to: the receipt of satisfactory references; satisfactory completion of a DBS check, safeguarding training, and any other training necessary for the role; proof of right to work in the UK; satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period; and agreement to adhere to the policies and procedures of River Church.

When you apply for this role, please also complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form at the bottom of this page.

KIDS PASTOR

We’re searching for a Kids Pastor to oversee our thriving and fast-growing ministry to 0-11s and their families, and help us make River Kids the highlight of their weeks!

Full-time | Up to £32,500

Closing date: 10th April 2026

—

Role Profile

Job title: Kids Pastor

Department: Rising Generations

Reports to: Senior Leaders

Principal location: River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ

DBS check required: Yes

Special conditions of employment: There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010.

Start date: As soon as possible

Working days/hours: Full-time

Rate of pay: Up to £32,500 depending on experience

Travel: May be required on occasion

Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Probation period: 6 months

Contract length: Negotiable

Other expectations: Whilst the role will usually be Sunday to Thursday, the role holder will need to be available to work some other key dates, such as special services (Christmas, Easter etc.), annual meetings, and Focus (our annual one-week church holiday in the summer). It is expected that staff members will be active members of River Church—praying at prayer meetings, serving on team, giving financially, and growing as part of a Hangout.

For a candidate with the right skillset and character, this role could be combined with another role currently vacant.

—

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee River Church’s mission and ministry to Kids (0-11s) and their families, leading significant growth in number and depth of discipleship

• Lead, pastor, co-ordinate, train, and grow the River Kids Team

• Oversee, plan and lead kids-focussed aspects of Sunday services, working to expand capacity and grow numbers of children and families involved

• Plan and lead midweek groups, activities, courses, and events aimed at children and families, such as Baby Love (our group for parents, babies, and toddlers), the Parenting Course, and other future groups (including a new service for kids and families)

• Lead kids ministry within local primary schools and nurseries, such as taking assemblies, leading after-school or lunch clubs, RE lessons and similar activities, as opportunities arise, building on existing contacts and developing new partnerships

• Make contact and build relationships with unchurched and de-churched kids and families in Ipswich, and lead them on a pathway of discipleship, equipping the Kids Team to do the same

• Inviting parents and carers to Alpha and creating opportunities to run Alphas suitable for this demographic (i.e., through providing childcare or at strategic times and locations)

• Collaborate with the Social Transformation department where their work serves children and young families, to build their connection with River Church

• Train, mentor, and prepare members of the Kids Team to ensure the provision of excellent kids worship, mission, and ministry, and to release team members into leadership where appropriate

• Work with Senior Leaders and other ministry staff to plan events, meetings, and services

• Manage the kids department budget

• Manage and mentor Kids Team River College Students (interns), releasing them into appropriate levels of leadership

• Lead and contribute to Alpha, Staff Meeting, Department Meetings, Prayer Meeting, Hangouts, Focus, and Sunday Services (including some preaching and/or teaching)

• Collaborate with the Communications and Media Manager to curate River Kids social media channels

• Work with the Student Pastor to assist in River Church’s ministry to young people (11-18), and to ensure a smooth transition from River Kids to River Youth

• Ensure that kids team volunteers are recruited safely, following the safer recruitment policy, and that all regulatory requirements regarding safeguarding and health and safety are met, attending training as required

• Manage DBS checks and safeguarding training across River Church, working closely with the Safeguarding Officer

• Ad hoc tasks and other project work which enhances the ministry and mission of River Church

—

Person Specification

Personal qualities and beliefs

It is essential that the role holder:

• has a mature, personal faith in and relationship with God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• Believes and embodies the orthodox Christian teaching revealed in the Bible and in accordance with the CEEC basis of faith and declarations

• is committed to the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church, and passionate about seeing people coming to know Jesus in Ipswich

• has a passion for reaching children with the gospel and to seeing them grow into all that God has created them to be in Christ

• has the capacity to provide spiritual leadership within the kids team and to contribute to the spiritual direction of the wider church

• is theologically astute

Personal skills and abilities

It is essential that the role holder:

• has the ability to teach, train and develop kids team volunteers

• has excellent teamwork and team-building skills, and is able to manage, motivate, and encourage others

• has excellent organisational skills and time management

• is self-motivated

• has excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to connect with children

• has outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal

• has a high attention to detail and high production values

• is able to manage a departmental budget

• is flexible, with a can-do attitude

• is teachable, has a desire to learn and grow, and is willing to undergo any necessary training

• understands the importance of confidentiality and has good self-awareness

• has enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and a sense of humour

Knowledge, qualifications, and experience

It is essential that the role holder:

• has experience in leading services, prayer, and worship for kids

• has outstanding ability to communicate Christian teaching to kids

• has confidence ministering in the Holy Spirit

• has a thorough understanding of statutory Child Protection/Safeguarding requirements

It is desirable that the role holder:

• has relevant degree-level qualifications connected to children, education, and/or theology

• is experienced in and/or has the ability to learn to use Mac OS X, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and ChurchSuite

• has an eye for design and aesthetics

• is able to use digital technology and social media to contribute to kids ministry

• is able to preach to and teach adults, as well as children

• has other skills which could contribute to the wider life and ministry of River Church

—

Notes for Applicants

We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose ethnicities are underrepresented in the Church of England. We would welcome informal conversations with anybody considering applying for this position. Email matt.key@riverchurchipswich.org to get in touch. When completing the application form, please feel free to continue your answers on separate pages if you require more room.

We reserve the right to close applications and/or shortlist at any time. As such, we recommend applying for this role at your earliest convenience.

We will inform you as to whether or not you will be invited for interview once applications have closed.

Interviews will be held in person at River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ.

Please bring your passport (and, if necessary, proof of right to work in the UK) and a document showing proof of your home address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your interview.

Please note that any offers made are subject to: the receipt of satisfactory references; satisfactory completion of a DBS check, safeguarding training, and any other training necessary for the role; proof of right to work in the UK; satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period; and agreement to adhere to the policies and procedures of River Church.

When you apply for this role, please also complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form at the bottom of this page.

WORSHIP PASTOR

We love to worship at River! We’re looking for a Worship Pastor to oversee our fantastic worship and production teams, ensuring that worship is musically excellent, contextually relevant, and Spirit-filled.

Full-time | Up to £32,500

Closing date: 10th April 2026

—

Role Profile

Job title: Worship Pastor

Department: Worship and Production

Reports to: Senior Leaders

Principal location: River Church Ipswich

DBS check required: Yes

Special conditions of employment: There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010.

Start date: As soon as possible.

Working days/hours: Full-time (Sunday to Thursday)

Salary: Up to £32,500 (dependent on experience)

Travel: May be required on occasion

Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Probation period: 6 months

Contract length: Initial 2 years with the option to extend or become permanent

Other expectations: The role holder will need to be available to work some other key dates outside the usual working pattern, such as special services (Christmas, Easter etc.), annual meetings, and Focus (our annual one-week church holiday in the summer). It is expected that staff members will be active members of River Church, committed to praying, serving, giving financially, and growing as a disciple of Jesus in a Hangout.

For a candidate with the right skillset and character, this role could be combined with another role currently vacant.

—

Key Responsibilities

• Work with Senior Leaders to oversee all aspects of worship, production, and services at River Church

• Ensure that worship and production at River Church embody our goals to be Spirit-filled, people-empowering, fun-loving, and abundantly-living, and exhibit musical excellence

• Lead the worship and production team, training, pastoring, managing, mentoring, and discipling volunteers, ensuring that team members are modelling mature Christian discipleship, and growing in their faith

• Recruit and audition new team members to meet future demands (i.e., sufficient team for additional services and church plants to be sent without level of bands dropping)

• Run weekly Thursday evening rehearsals for worship bands and production volunteers serving on any given week, as well as regular team nights, and group and one-to-one sessions to up-skill worship and production team members

• Train and release new worship leaders to serve across River Church, and to resource future church plants

• Lead worship as required on Sundays, Alpha, River College, Overflow (prayer and worship nights), 7am Prayer, and at other services and events

• Oversee the planning and delivery of Sundays, ensuring that deadlines are met, service plans are created and published, team rotas are filled, and that logistical factors relating to production, staging, and worship are considered

• Manage MultiTracks, preparing set lists and tracks for all worship sets

• Ensure compliance with best safeguarding practice across the worship and production team

• Manage worship and production departmental budget

• Ensure that all relevant licenses relating to worship and production are in place, including PPL, PRS, CCLI, MultiTracks, and OFCOM Wireless Equipment licenses

• Manage all worship and production equipment, keeping an inventory and overseeing maintenance, repair, and upgrades of staging, instruments, and production equipment

• Preach and teach, particularly on subjects related to worship, on occasion, as required

• Work with other team members to write, arrange and produce worship music, including producing new worship songs for use in worship sets and for commercial release; organising songwriting with appropriate members of team, and recording, for distribution and use on MultiTracks

• Contribute to River Church’s Students and Collective (20s-30s) ministries, leading groups and sessions as required, and frequently discipling students and young adults, as part of the Rising Generations department

• Attend and contribute to Staff Meeting, and Tuesday morning Prayer Meeting

• Regularly pray for the Worship and Production ministries and teams

• Ad hoc tasks and other project work

—

Person Specification

Personal qualities and beliefs

It is essential that the role holder:

• has a mature personal faith in and relationship with God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• is committed to the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church

• believes and embodies the orthodox Christian teaching revealed in the Bible and in accordance with the CEEC basis of faith and declarations

• is passionate about worship

Personal skills and abilities

It is essential that the role holder:

• has excellent and proven leadership, teamwork, and team-building skills, and is able to manage, motivate, and encourage others

• has outstanding vocal and instrumental abilities (including acoustic guitar and, ideally, other instruments utilised in contemporary worship) and a superb musical ear

• has excellent organisational skills and time management

• is self-motivated

• has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, including an excellent level of English spelling, punctuation, and grammar

• has superb attention to detail, a commitment to excellence, and very high production values

• is confident giving feedback, including critical feedback in musical and discipleship contexts

• is able to manage an organisational budget

• is flexible, with a can-do attitude

• is teachable, humble, servant-hearted, and has a desire to learn and grow

• understands the importance of confidentiality, and is trustworthy and reliable, with a good self-awareness

• has enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and a sense of humour

Knowledge, qualifications, and experience

It is essential that the role holder:

• is confident and experienced leading ministry in the Holy Spirit

• has extensive experience rehearsing and teaching other musicians to a high level of excellence

• has good IT skills, and experience in and/or the ability to learn to use Mac OS X, Logic Pro, MultiTracks, ChurchSuite, and Expense Plus

• has extensive prior experience leading worship

• has an expert understanding of production equipment, including sound, visuals, lighting, and staging

• has a thorough and up-to-date understanding of statutory child protection and safeguarding requirements

It is desirable that the role holder:

• holds a bachelors degree (or higher level qualification), ideally in a field related to the role

• has worked within the HTB Network of churches (or is able to demonstrate a strong level of familiarity and alignment with the Network’s vision, values, and ecclesiology), in a city centre resource church setting or another large church

• has other relevant qualifications in a field related to the role

• has other relevant experience or skills related to the role or other areas of ministry

—

Notes for Applicants

We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose ethnicities are underrepresented in the Church of England. We would welcome informal conversations with anybody considering applying for this position. Email matt.key@riverchurchipswich.org to get in touch. When completing the application form, please feel free to continue your answers on separate pages if you require more room.

We reserve the right to close applications and/or shortlist at any time. As such, we recommend applying for this role at your earliest convenience.

We will inform you as to whether or not you will be invited for interview within 5 full working days of applications closing.

Interviews will be held in person at River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ.

Please bring your passport (and, if necessary, proof of right to work in the UK) and a document showing proof of your home address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your interview.

Please note that any offers made are subject to: the receipt of satisfactory references; satisfactory completion of a DBS check, safeguarding training, and any other training necessary for the role; proof of right to work in the UK; satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period; and agreement to adhere to the policies and procedures of River Church.

When you apply for this role, please also complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form at the bottom of this page.

Sports Ministry Lead

The Sports Ministry Lead will oversee River Active, our fast-growing sports outreach ministry, sharing the Gospel through Bridge the Gap football, running groups, and our student-only gym, providing pastoral care and discipleship to participants, and supporting our wider student ministry at the University of Suffolk.

28-35 hours | Up to £29,250

Closing date: 10th April 2026

Role Profile

Job title: Sports Ministry Lead

Department: River Active

Reports to: Head of Operations

Direct reports: River Active and Bridge the Gap volunteers

Principal location: River Church Ipswich; MOVE Gym; Portman Road Stadium

DBS check required: Yes

Special conditions of employment: As a minister of religion role, there is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010.

Start date: May-June 2026

Working days/hours: 28-35 hours (flexible, Sun-Thu)

Salary: Up to £29,250 pro rata (depending on experience)

Travel: May be required on occasion

Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Probation period: 6 months

Contract length: Initial 2 years (extension subject to funding)

Other expectations: The role holder will need to be available to work some other key dates outside the usual working pattern, such as special services (Christmas, Easter etc.), annual meetings, and Focus (our annual one-week church holiday in the summer). It is expected that staff members will be active members of River Church (praying, serving, giving, and growing).

For a candidate with the right skillset and character, this role could be combined with another role currently vacant.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with Senior Pastors to develop and implement strategy for our sports ministry, ‘River Active’ in line with the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church

• Oversee the Bridge the Gap Ipswich, delivering football sessions for young men, based at Portman Road Stadium (Ipswich Town FC), inviting participants to Alpha and Sundays, and sharing faith in Jesus

• Work to expand to Bridge the Gap to offer youth sessions, in partnership with River Youth

• Manage ‘MOVE’, our gym exclusively for University of Suffolk students, including subscriptions via Squarespace and twice-weekly safety checks

• Liaise with the University of Suffolk and Student Union to deliver inductions, sessions, and other support to users of MOVE gym

• Ensure that all safeguarding and health and safety requirements are met across River Active

• Deliver River Active running sessions for varying abilities alongside the existing volunteer team

• Actively disciple and pastor those attending River Active sports sessions, sensitively sharing the Gospel with those who are not yet Christians, making frequent invitations to Alpha and Sundays

• Oversee, recruit, train, and pastor the River Active volunteer team

• Manage River Active departmental budget

• Contribute to other River Church events including Alpha and Sundays

• Support other areas of Student and Collective (young adults) ministry as required

• Work with Comms and Media Manager to curate River Active and Bridge the Gap Ipswich social media accounts and webpages

• Track impact data and report to Head of Operations, as well as external partners and funders

• Explore and implement opportunities to expand River Active provision

• Attend and contribute to Staff Meeting, and Tuesday morning Prayer Meeting, and other River Church events such as Focus

• Regularly pray for all River Active ministries

• Ad hoc tasks and other project work

Personal qualities and beliefs

It is essential that the role holder:

• has a personal faith in and relationship with God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• is committed to the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church

• believes and embodies the orthodox Christian teaching revealed in the Bible and in accordance with the CEEC basis of faith and declarations

• is demonstrably committed to their own discipleship (i.e., praying, serving, giving, and sharing faith)

• is passionate about football, sports, and evangelism

Personal skills and abilities

It is essential that the role holder:

• has excellent teamwork and team-building skills, and is able to manage, motivate, and encourage others

• has good organisational skills and time management

• is self-motivated

• has good communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, including an excellent level of English spelling, punctuation, and grammar

• has good attention to detail and high production values

• is able to manage an organisational budget

• is flexible, with a can-do attitude

• is teachable, humble, and has a desire to learn and grow

• understands the importance of confidentiality, and is trustworthy and reliable, with a good self-awareness

• has enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and a sense of humour

Knowledge, qualifications, and experience

It is essential that the role holder:

• has, or is willing and able to undertake prior to starting the role, fitness instructor and/or PT training qualifications, and first aid training

• has good IT skills, and experience in and/or the ability to learn to use Mac OS X, ChurchSuite, Squarespace, and Expense Plus

• has prior experience in sports ministry or bringing together faith and sport in another context

• has a good understanding of sports and fitness equipment and facilities

• has a thorough and up-to-date understanding of statutory child protection and safeguarding requirements, health and safety legislation, and other legal aspects of operations

It is desirable that the role holder:

• holds a bachelors degree (or higher level qualification), ideally in a field related to the role

• has prior experience of Bridge the Gap football

• has worked within the HTB Network of churches (or is able to demonstrate a strong level of familiarity and alignment with the Network’s vision, values, and ecclesiology), in a city centre resource church setting or another large church

• has prior experience working in a gym or sports setting

• has other relevant qualifications in a field related to the role

• has an eye for detail and aesthetics

• has other relevant experience or skills related to the role or other areas of ministry

Community Outreach Lead: Job Description

Role purpose

The Community Outreach Lead will: oversee River Church’s ‘Love Ipswich’ department; recruit, develop, and oversee the Love Ipswich team; and plan and help to deliver our response to the most pressing practical needs and justice issues in our town, while sharing the Good News of Jesus.

28-35 hours | Up to £29,250

Closing date: 10th April 2026

Role profile

Job title: Community Outreach Lead

Department: Love Ipswich

Reports to: Senior Pastors

Principal location: River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ

DBS check required: Yes

Special conditions of employment: There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010.

Start date: As soon as possible.

Working days/hours: 28-35 hours (flexible, Sun-Thu)

Salary: Up to £29,250 (pro rata, depending on experience)

Travel: May be required on occasion

Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Probation period: 6 months

Contract length: Initial 2 year fixed term, with potential to become permanent, subject to funding.

Other expectations: Whilst the role is Sunday to Thursday, the role holder will need to be available to work some other key dates, such as special services (Christmas, Easter etc.), annual meetings, and Focus (our annual one-week church holiday in the summer). It is expected that staff members will be active members of River Church (i.e., praying, serving, giving, and sharing faith).

For a candidate with the right skillset and character, this role could be combined with another role currently vacant.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee and develop all ‘Love Ipswich’ social transformation ministries at River Church, in accordance with the Senior Pastors’ strategy and priorities

• Recruit, lead, develop, and co-ordinate the Love Ipswich team to deliver and multiply Love Ipswich work, identifying, training, and releasing new leaders

• Run groups, courses, and events meeting needs in our local community, initially including River Store (social supermarket), The Money Course (in partnership with Crosslight), Love Christmas and Love Easter

• Lead the strategic restructuring of River Store to improve focus and impact

• Partner with Applaud.Coffee in providing employability training for NEET 16-24s, prison leavers, and other vulnerable people

• Establish new groups to meet other needs, including The Singleness Course, The Pre-Marriage Course, and The Marriage Course, The Bereavement Course, and addiction recovery support

• Share faith in Jesus, and invite beneficiaries to Alpha and Sundays, attending and contributing to the running of both to provide continuity for those exploring faith

• Research needs within the community to shape our priorities and provision in social transformation, and collaborate with the Head of Operations and Finance Team to secure funding to deliver these

• Work with Senior Pastors to plan the Love Ipswich programme

• Ensure that the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church are reflected in all social transformation initiatives, and that they are delivered to the highest possible standard of excellence

• Manage the Love Ipswich budget

• Work with Senior Pastors to manage Love Ipswich interns, if required

• Advocate for social transformation at River Church

• Lead and contribute to weekly Alpha, Staff Meeting, Prayer Meeting, Hangouts, and Sunday Services (including some preaching and/or teaching)

• Collaborate with Love Your Neighbour, Crosslight, and other partner organisations with an interest in social transformation

• Keep thorough records of contacts, outputs, outcomes, and impact for all social transformation activities, working with the Head of Operations to report these back to grant funders

• Ensure that all regulatory requirements regarding safeguarding and health and safety are met in the Love Ipswich department and team, attending training as required

• Contribute to other ministries where fruitful crossover may occur (i.e., River Active sports ministries, Rising Generations ministries, or Baby Love)

• Ad hoc tasks and other project work which enhances the ministry and mission of River Church

Person specification

Personal qualities and beliefs

It is essential that the role holder:

• has a mature, personal faith in and relationship with God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit

• believes and embodies the orthodox Christian teaching revealed in the Bible, and assents to the CEEC basis of faith

• is committed to the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church

• has a passion for social transformation, and desire to work with, love, and serve the most vulnerable people in our community

• has a passion for reaching people with the Gospel and to seeing them grow into all that God has created them to be in Christ

• has the capacity to provide spiritual leadership within the Love Ipswich team and to contribute to the spiritual direction of the wider church

• is theologically astute

Personal skills and abilities

It is essential that the role holder:

• has the ability to teach, train and develop leaders and volunteers in the Love Ipswich team

• has excellent teamwork and team-building skills, and is able to manage, motivate, and encourage others

• has excellent organisational skills and time management

• is self-motivated

• has outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to sensitively and pastorally connect with vulnerable people in challenging situations

• has a high attention to detail and high production values

• is able to manage a departmental budget

• is flexible, with a can-do attitude

• is teachable and has a desire to learn and grow

• understands the importance of confidentiality and has good self-awareness

• has enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and a sense of humour

• is pastorally sensitive and able to love and serve people in complex circumstances with grace, compassion, and truth

Knowledge, qualifications, and experience

It is essential that the role holder:

• has experience in leading and establishing social transformation projects in church and/or the charitable sector

• has an excellent understanding of the needs and challenges affecting those on the margins of society

• has confidence praying for people and ministering in the Holy Spirit

• has a thorough understanding of statutory Child Protection/Safeguarding requirements

It is desirable that the role holder:

• is experienced in and/or has the ability to learn to use Mac OS X

• has relevant qualifications in theology and/or social action

NOTES FOR APPLICANTS

We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose ethnicities are underrepresented in the Church of England. We would welcome informal conversations with anybody considering applying for this position. Email hello@riverchurchipswich.org to get in touch. When completing the application form, please feel free to continue your answers on separate pages if you require more room.

We reserve the right to close applications and/or shortlist at any time. As such, we recommend applying for this role at your earliest convenience.

We will inform you as to whether or not you will be invited for interview within 5 full working days of applications closing.

Interviews will be held in person at River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ.

Please bring your passport (and, if necessary, proof of right to work in the UK) and a document showing proof of your home address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your interview.

Please note that any offers made are subject to: the receipt of satisfactory references; satisfactory completion of a DBS check, safeguarding training, and any other training necessary for the role; proof of right to work in the UK; satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period; and agreement to adhere to the policies and procedures of River Church.

When you apply for this role, please also complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form at the bottom of this page.

Job title: Cleaner and Site Assistant

Department: Operations

Reports to: Head of Operations

Principal location: River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ

DBS check required: Yes

Start date: April - December (Maternity Cover) 

Working days/hours: Up to 8 hours 

Rate of pay: £23,400 pro rata

Travel: May be required on occasion

Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Probation period: 6 months

Contract length: 9 months

● Monitor the premises and facilities of River Church and ensure that they are kept clean and tidy, and in an excellent state of repair

● Undertake regular cleaning, basic maintenance, and gardening

● Recruit, train, manage, and support a team of volunteers to assist with the cleaning, tidying, and maintenance of River Church’s premises

● Regularly pray for the River Church premises and its users

● Manage storage solutions for River Church equipment and property

● Ensure that the premises, facilities, and furniture (including heating and lighting) are set up ready for services, activities, hirers, and groups, as required

● Assist the Director of Operations with venue hirer liaison and bookings

● Ensure that supplies of cleaning, gardening and maintenance materials, and toilet product stocks are sufficient for the smooth operation of River Church

● Manage waste, ensuring the prompt and environmentally friendly disposal of rubbish

● Be a key-holder for River Church premises, facilitating access for internal and external non-key-holders as required

● Attend weekly Staff Meeting

● Ad hoc tasks and other project work which enhances the ministry and mission of River Church

Personal qualities and beliefs

It is essential that the role holder:

● is committed to the dream, purpose, and goals of River Church

● is passionate about premises and their use for mission and ministry

Personal skills and abilities

Personal qualities and beliefs

● has excellent organisational skills and time management

● is self-motivated and pro-active

● has a high attention to detail and an eye for aesthetics

● is flexible, with a can-do attitude

● is teachable and has a desire to learn and grow

● understands the importance of confidentiality and has good self-awareness

● has enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and a sense of humour

● is physically fit and able to undertake physically demanding activities such as moving furniture, working at height on ladders, operating hand and power tools

Knowledge, qualifications, and experience

It is essential that the role holder:

● has an good understanding of basic building and garden maintenance, and the ability to perform repair work

● has a good understanding of health and safety procedures relating to cleaning, maintenance, and other aspects of the role

● has an eye for cleaning, a passion for excellence, and a good understanding of cleaning methods, equipment, and products

● has or is willing to undertake COSHH and manual handling training, and other training relevant to the role

● has a good understanding of statutory Child Protection/Safeguarding requirements

It is desirable that the role holder:

● has prior experience cleaning

We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose ethnicities are underrepresented in the Church of England. We would welcome informal conversations with anybody considering applying for this position. Email hello@riverchurchipswich.org to get in touch. When completing the application form, please feel free to continue your answers on separate pages if you require more room.

There is no specified closing date for applications for this role. We reserve the right to close applications and/or shortlist at any time. As such, we recommend applying for this role at your earliest convenience.

We will inform you as to whether or not you will be invited for interview within 5 full working days of applications closing.

Interviews will be held in person at River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ.

Please bring your passport (and, if necessary, proof of right to work in the UK) and a document showing proof of your home address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your interview.

Please note that any offers made are subject to: the receipt of satisfactory references; satisfactory completion of a DBS check, safeguarding training, and any other training necessary for the role; proof of right to work in the UK; satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period; and agreement to adhere to the policies and procedures of River Church.

When you apply for this role, please also complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form at the bottom of this page.

job title: Safeguarding Administrator 

Department: Operations

Reports to: Head of Operations and Safeguarding Officer

Principal location: River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ

DBS check required: Yes

Start date: March 2026

Working days/hours: Up to 7 hours 

Rate of pay: Vounteer

- Work closely with the Senior Pastors and Safeguarding Officer to advise on all safeguarding matters relating to children, young people and vulnerable adults

- Promote safer practices in all activities and make any recommendations required taking into account the particular arrangements of the church;

- Seek to ensure that Safer Recruitment practice is followed, with the support of diocese.

- Attend diocesan safeguarding training at least every three years

- Maintain and file safeguarding records; including DBS clearance and training records of staff and volunteers

- Complete national, diocesan and parish safeguarding self-assessments as required;

- Supporting other church officers who work with children or vulnerable adults;

- Providing or arranging provision of safeguarding training for church staff (both volunteers and paid)

-Establishing the true identity of applicants, through the examination of a range of identification documents as set out by the Disclosure and Barring Service

-Checking and validating the information provided by applicants on application forms

-Ensuring applications forms is fully completed and the information it contains is accurate

We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose ethnicities are underrepresented in the Church of England. We would welcome informal conversations with anybody considering applying for this position. Email hello@riverchurchipswich.org to get in touch. When completing the application form, please feel free to continue your answers on separate pages if you require more room.

There is no specified closing date for applications for this role. We reserve the right to close applications and/or shortlist at any time. As such, we recommend applying for this role at your earliest convenience.

We will inform you as to whether or not you will be invited for interview within 5 full working days of applications closing.

Interviews will be held in person at River Church Ipswich, Key Street, IP4 1BZ.

Please bring your passport (and, if necessary, proof of right to work in the UK) and a document showing proof of your home address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your interview.

Please note that any offers made are subject to: the receipt of satisfactory references; satisfactory completion of a DBS check, safeguarding training, and any other training necessary for the role; proof of right to work in the UK; satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period; and agreement to adhere to the policies and procedures of River Church.

When you apply for this role, please also complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form at the bottom of this page.