Bedel of Divinity (Lead Ceremonial Officer)
Bedel of Divinity (Lead Ceremonial Officer)
Salary £5,923 p.a. based on 180 hours over the course of the year, plus clothing allowance. Part-time, variable hours including evenings and weekends.
The Bedels play a prominent role in the University’s official and ceremonial occasions, which are an important part of its business, its traditions and a living reflection both of its long history and of the institution, it is today. The Bedels attend upon the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, the Proctors and other participating dignitaries on such occasions, and assist them and other University members to carry out ceremonial duties. They also deputise for the University Verger as necessary. Between them, the Bedels attend around 100 separate occasions in a year, many requiring only one or two to be present, though some involve the whole team.
If you are confident about performing duties in the public eye, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and are keen to help give contemporary expression to University tradition and statutes, we would love to hear from you. You will lead the Bedel team to deliver a professional service across all events, ceremonies and visits.
You will need to be able to act decisively and discreetly in high-profile situations, understand the varied needs and expectations of University members and dignitaries, and have a collaborative and co-operative approach to working. You will also have the ability and desire to learn the University’s ceremonial procedures and conventions, so as to guide ceremony participants appropriately, and have a good sense of occasion, ‘stagecraft’ and presentation, and an ability to foster both team spirit and a team culture that is integrated with the rest of the University, responsive to feedback and focussed on high-quality service.
The post is suitable as a standalone role for external candidates, or as a discrete and additional set of duties for existing employees of the University. Informal enquiries about the post may be addressed to Paul Halstead, Deputy Marshal, using the email address below. We particularly encourage applications from women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as these groups are underrepresented in this role.
All applications must be received by 12.00 noon on 11 May 2026. Interviews are planned to take place week commencing 25 May 2026.
Contact Person: Paul Halstead
Vacancy ID: 185431
Pay Scale: CLERICAL BEDEL VERGER (M63)
Contact Email: paul.halstead@proctors.ox.ac.uk
Location: Clarendon Building, Oxford
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