Director of Music | St John’s Waterloo

We are looking for a musician to join us as the Director of Music at St John’s Waterloo.

St John’s is a central London Anglican Church in the modern, liberal catholic tradition, with very strong local connections.  We have recently completed a £6m renovation, and have a flourishing cultural and community programme.

Our two Churches – St John’s opposite Waterloo station and St Andrew’s near the Young Vic theatre – have regular worship at their heart. Our main service is at 10.30am on Sundays at St John’s. We aim to nourish a very broad musical tradition, drawing resources from around the world as well as from Anglicanism.

St John’s also works closely with its sister-charity The Bridge At Waterloo which delivers a variety of programmes and projects in our spaces from therapeutic gardening to arts festivals. Along with our regular, diverse members, we warmly welcome visitors, and our proximity to King’s College and the LSE means we also aim to offer a broad-based home church for students currently in London.

What are we looking for? For this role, we are seeking someone:

• To have oversight, with the Vicar, for the direction of music for liturgy at St John’s s and to work with the clergy, organist, PCC and congregation to continue to develop a rich diversity of styles of music.
• To build the choir, continuing to develop the repertoire, train the singers and recruit and integrate new members.
• To ensure all principal Sunday services, Occasional Offices (Weddings and Funerals) and Festivals are properly staffed and that the Director, organist or a deputy is available to play at all principal services.
• To work with the clergy team to produce lists of hymns, songs, anthems etc. appropriate to each service.
• To be responsible for a set music budget, agreed with the Treasurer each November for presentation to the PCC, and for all music purchases and score hires.
• To work collaboratively with the clergy, choir, organist and congregation in developing the ministry of the church through music.
• To ensure that the Parish Safeguarding Policy for Children and Vulnerable Adults is properly implemented within the choir and all areas under the Director of Music’s responsibility.

Who are we looking for? For this role, we are seeking someone with the following qualities:

• Committed to encouraging grass roots music making drawing on contemporary and traditional Anglican and other traditions.
• Proven ability to relate to a broad range of people and encouraging them to participate in music making.
• Proven ability to teach and lead music to a broad range of abilities, from the semi-professional to the complete beginner .
• Committed to developing the worshipping community at St John’s.
• Robust and up for a challenge.
• The ability to work as part of a team.
• Appropriate qualification in choral or instrumental musicianship.
• Committed to encouraging inclusive Christianity, recognising and acknowledging a wide range of theological understandings within the church.

 Employer: St John’s Waterloo

Accountable to: The Parochial Parish Council of St John’s Waterloo

Line Manager: The churchwardens of St John’s Waterloo

Hours:  4.5 hours per week. Core hours are Sundays between 10 and 1.30, divided between the 10.30 service and rehearsal after church, with an additional hour/week for preparation time. Additional hours may be required for principal services, especially at Christmas and Easter.

Pay: £37,182 per annum pro rata = £4,780 pa plus contributory pension scheme (RSCM recommended). There will be a three month probationary period.

Holiday entitlement: 5 weeks pro rata including no more than five Sundays outside of August (when the choir is on leave)

Looking after our congregation and visitors: St John’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers interacting with these groups to share this commitment. This position will be subject to satisfactory DBS and reference checks.

Administrative support: The Music Director will have access to the office facilities and equipment as required in order to carry out their responsibilities as outlined (printing, photocopier, stationery etc.).

 To apply:

• Send your CV.
• Attach a cover letter (max. 2 sides) explaining why you think you are suitable for this role, listing your skills, interests and any previous experiences working in music and/or liturgical music. We are particularly interested to hear how you would go about approaching this job in the context of our church’s mission.
• Additionally, kindly send us the contact details of two referees and state whether we may contact them now.

Applications should be sent to Elaine Wright, Parish Administrator, at [email protected]. For any further information, contact Canon Giles Goddard, Vicar of St John’s Waterloo, at [email protected].

Closing date: Friday 31st January

Interviews: Thursday 6^th February, afternoon