Chelmsford Pathway Administrator

CHELMSFORD PATHWAY
ADMINISTRATOR

Application Pack

March 2026

Page | 1

Introduction
Thank you for your interest in the position of Chelmsford Pathway Administrator at Cuddesdon. This role provides
local administrative and logistical support for the Chelmsford Pathway, helping to ensure the smooth running of
teaching sessions and pathway activities.

The  postholder  will  act  as  a  welcoming  and  accessible  point  of  contact  for  students,  tutors  and  visitors  in
Chelmsford, while working closely with colleagues at Cuddesdon to support the effective coordination of the
programme.

A Profile of Ripon College Cuddesdon
Ripon  College  Cuddesdon  is  one  of  the  Church  of  England’s  principal  institutions  for  ministerial  formation.
Founded in 1854, the College provides theological education and formation for ordinands and other students
across a range of pathways, including residential and non-residential provision, contextual and lay pathways,
and a growing network of satellite centres.

The College is entering a period of continued growth and complexity, with expanding pathways and partnerships
requiring  resilient,  well-structured  administrative  support  across  academic,  student-facing  and  senior
leadership functions.

For further information, please visit: www.rcc.ac.uk

The Role
To provide local administrative and logistical support for the Chelmsford Pathway, ensuring the smooth running
of teaching evenings and acting as a welcoming and accessible point of contact for students, tutors and visitors.

The role will support the day-to-day practical organisation of the pathway, while working closely with the central
administrative team at Cuddesdon who oversee academic systems, student records and institutional processes.

The postholder will provide a visible and supportive presence for students in Chelmsford and help ensure that
teaching sessions and pathway activities run smoothly.

Key Responsibilities
1. Student Support and Enquiries

•  Act as the first point of contact for students and prospective students for general enquiries relating to the

Chelmsford Pathway.

•  Respond to enquiries from students, tutors and diocesan colleagues, liaising with relevant colleagues at

Cuddesdon where further input or coordination is required

•  Provide  practical  support  and  guidance  to  students  during  teaching  evenings  and  other  pathway

activities.

•  Maintain regular communication with students regarding practical arrangements for teaching sessions

and pathway events.

2. Teaching Evening Coordination

•  Attend  teaching  evenings  (normally  Monday  evenings  during  term  time),  particularly  at  the  start  of
sessions, to welcome students and tutors, ensure rooms are prepared and assist with initial practical
arrangements.

•  Prepare teaching spaces as required and ensure any necessary equipment is available.
•  Liaise with the venue regarding room access and facilities as required.

3. Programme Logistics

•  Support the Chelmsford Pathway Director in the practical organisation of the teaching programme.
•  Assist with scheduling, circulation of timetables and programme information to students.
•  Support the organisation of residentials, study days or pathway events as required.
•  Coordinate practical arrangements for visiting tutors and speakers where required.

Page | 2

4. Liaison with Cuddesdon

•  Work  closely  with  colleagues  in  the  central  administrative  team  at  Cuddesdon  to  ensure  effective

coordination between the Chelmsford Pathway and the College.

•  Assist  with  gathering  and  passing  on  information  required  for  central  academic  administration

processes.

•  Ensure  that  relevant  information  about  students,  teaching  sessions  and  pathway  activities  is

communicated to the appropriate colleagues.

5. General Administration

•  Maintain local records relating to pathway activities where required.
•  Assist with communications and promotion of the pathway where appropriate.
•  Carry out other reasonable administrative duties as requested by the Pathway Director.

Working Pattern
Working hours will normally be spread across the week  in agreement with the Pathway Director. The role will
include regular attendance at teaching evenings in Chelmsford (normally Monday evenings during term time) in
order to welcome students and tutors and support the smooth running of sessions. Some additional flexibility
may be required during busy periods of the academic year or for occasional pathway events.

Safeguarding
Ripon  College  Cuddesdon  is  committed  to  safeguarding  and  promoting  the  welfare  of  children  and  adults.
Safeguarding  is  a  shared  responsibility,  and  all  staff  are  expected  to  understand  and  uphold  the  College’s
safeguarding policies and procedures.

Person Specification
Criteria

Essential

Qualifications

Good general education, including
English and Maths.

Knowledge and
Experience

Experience of providing administrative
support
Ability to manage a varied workload and
prioritise effectively
Strong organisational skills and attention
to detail
Ability to handle information sensitively
and confidentially

Skills and
Competencies

Excellent organisational and
administrative skills, with strong
attention to detail.

Desirable

Relevant qualification or training in
administration, higher education
administration, or a related professional
field.

Experience of working in a higher
education, theological education or
similar academic environment.
Experience of supporting academic
administration processes, student
records, or quality assurance activities.
Experience of supporting senior
leadership teams or principals/directors.
Experience of providing administrative or
PA support to a senior colleague or
leadership role.
Experience of working within a complex
organisation
Experience of working with multiple
stakeholders and balancing competing
priorities

Experience of working with Moodle or
similar virtual learning environments.
Experience of supporting reporting cycles,
data returns or institutional processes.

Page | 3

Ability to identify opportunities for
improving administrative processes and
systems.

Confidence working across multiple
programmes, pathways or centres within a
distributed organisation.

Ability to manage a varied workload,
prioritising effectively and working calmly
under pressure.
Strong written and verbal
communication skills, with the ability to
communicate clearly and professionally
with staff, students and external
contacts.
High level of IT competence, including
confidence using databases,
spreadsheets, and virtual learning
environments or similar systems.
Ability to handle sensitive information
with discretion and professionalism.

Ability to work independently with
minimal supervision, while also working
collaboratively as part of a team.
Proactive and reliable, with a strong
sense of responsibility and follow-
through.
Flexible and adaptable approach, able to
respond to changing priorities across the
academic year.

Professional, approachable and tactful
manner.
Calm, methodical and resilient,
particularly during peak periods.
Commitment to delivering high-quality
administrative support and contributing
positively to the wider College
community.
Sympathy with the ethos, values and
objectives of Ripon College Cuddesdon.

Job-specific skills
and aptitudes

Personal Attributes

Summary Terms & Conditions
Job Title: Chelmsford Pathway Administrator
Reports to: Chelmsford Centre Director
Works closely with: Academic Registrar; Cross-Pathway Academic Administrator; Student Administration
Manager; Academic Dean
Location: Based primarily at the Chelmsford Diocesan Office (with occasional travel to Ripon College
Cuddesdon as required)
Contract Type: Permanent, subject to satisfactory completion of a six-month probation period
Hours: 14 hours per week (0.4FTE)
Salary: £28,000 FTE (pro rata)
Holiday: 6 weeks plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata)
Pension: Eligible for membership of a Church of England Pension Scheme. The College contributes 6.5% of
basic pay, with a minimum 1.5% employee contribution. The College also contributes 0.5% for life insurance
cover.

Page | 4

Application Process
Applications should include:

•  A covering letter explaining your interest in the role and how your experience, qualifications, and

aptitudes align with the Job Description and Person Specification

•  A full CV
•  A completed application form
•

The Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Completed applications should be sent to:

Email: hr@rcc.ac.uk
Postal: Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford OX44 9EX

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 20 April 2026

Selection Process

•  Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview at Ripon College Cuddesdon or in Chelmsford
•  References will be requested prior to final appointment
•  Candidates will be required to provide evidence of the right to work in the UK
•  Please note that the College is not licensed to sponsor visa applications

Page | 5