College Chaplain

Applications are invited from graduates who are ordained priests of the Church of England (or of a Church in full communion with it) for the post of Chaplain, ideally from January 2025, or as early as possible after that date. The Chaplaincy is a permanent role, with a probationary period of one year. There is a possibility of promotion to the post of Dean of Chapel after a number of successful years in the post.

Founded in 1473, St Catharine's College is a welcoming community of students, staff and Fellows in the heart of Cambridge.  The chapel maintains a rich and varied range of activities, focussed in particular on choral services which are served by its two outstanding choirs. St Catharine’s is highly-regarded for its academic excellence, its advanced welfare provision and its friendly environment.

The Chaplain is fully responsible, subject to the direction of the Governing Body, for the administration and organisation of the life of the Chapel, and for leading its services, both regular and occasional. The College has a strong Choral tradition, comprising a mixed student choir and a girls’ choir, and it is expected that the Chaplain will maintain and encourage this, in collaboration with the Director of College Music. The Chaplain is expected to be pastorally available to all members of the College community, regardless of faith.

The Chaplain will be elected to an Official Fellowship of the College and will be a charity trustee and member of the Governing Body. The Chaplaincy offers the opportunity for the incumbent to develop skills which may complement and enrich their ministerial and pastoral duties; for instance the pursuit of scholarly interests or professional training.

The Further Particulars outline the full duties of this position. 

Pay & Benefits

A stipend equivalent to the Ely Diocesan scale for incumbents is offered, currently £30,638 pa, together with the allowances accorded to Fellows of the College, including a generous meal and entertainment allowance. A choice of furnished accommodation will be made available rent-free; a living out allowance in the region of £10,000 pa is available for those not wishing to reside in college accommodation.

The successful candidate will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check.

Application process

Applications should be made online at; https://app.casc.cam.ac.uk/fas_live/chaplain, where applicants will be asked to provide a full curriculum vitae, a short supporting statement setting out their suitability for the post (500 words), and the names/contact details of three referees (one of which should be the applicant’s Diocesan or Area Bishop). References can be requested by the applicant, using the application system.  

The closing date (for the receipt of both applications and references) is 12 noon on 12 September 2024. 

Information about St Catharine’s College can be found on the College website (www.caths.cam.ac.uk). 

Informal enquiries concerning this post may be directed to Dr Edward Wickham, Director of Music (music@caths.cam.ac.uk).

Interviews will take place on Friday 4 October 2024.