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​​​Overview

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Underpinned by our Christian ethos, the Bield Retreat and Conference Centre has lived out a mission

of Hospitality, Spirituality, and Healing for over 25 years. While firmly rooted in Christian practice, we pride

ourselves on being a "broad tent". We actively encourage an ecumenical and broad faith awareness, including an

openness to interfaith dialogue and practice.

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We are seeking a new full-time, residential colleague to join and lead our existing Pastoral Team. We require

an individual ready to offer a presence of peace and purposeful support for our guests, while providing

the strategic leadership, management, and collaborative vision necessary to guide the Bield’s ongoing

pastoral work and programme.

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Ordination is not a prerequisite but would be advantageous. This post is also open to applications for a job-share

by a couple.

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Leadership, Management and Teamwork​

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Working closely with the General Manager, the successful candidate will be a pivotal leader within our

community. We are looking for an individual who excels in a collaborative environment, demonstrating a

natural ability to manage a close-knit team and support the wider staff.

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Applicants must evidence the following essential criteria:

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• Hospitality & Collaborative Leadership

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• Team Management: Ability to lead, inspire, and manage the Pastoral Team with wisdom and accountability.

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• Professional Boundaries: A proven track record of managing the boundaries between personal and professional needs, including the ability to manage confidentiality and complex dynamics.

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• Relational Presence: Possess a warm, engaging manner and be sufficiently "at home in their own skin" to make the guest, rather than themselves, the centre of attention.

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• Active Listening: A proven track record as a listener within a pastoral care context.

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• Accompaniment: Training and experience in spiritual accompaniment and supervision.

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• Spirituality & Vision

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• Personal Practice: Maintain a disciplined personal spiritual practice with a proven record of accountability (e.g., training, supervision, or CPD).

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• Spiritual Freedom: Manifest inner spiritual freedom and respect for the journeys of others without the need to impose a specific path or approach.

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• Creative Facilitation: The capacity to facilitate the spiritual quests of others in imaginative and creative ways.

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• Healing & Resilience

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• Life Experience: Be a person of hope who has learned from life’s challenges and brings wisdom gained through lived experience.

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• Compassionate Presence: The ability to enter the darkness with others without attempting to "fix," rescue, or prematurely fast-forward them.

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• Personal Growth: Personal experience of being accompanied on a healing journey by others.

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Key Responsibilities

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• Pastoral Oversight: Overseeing pastoral work at the Bield, ensuring high standards of care and spiritual integrity.

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• Guest Accompaniment: Accompanying guests on their healing journeys and helping them deepen their relationship with God, themselves, and others.

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• Staff Support: Providing spiritual support and guidance to other staff members as required.

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• Reflective Practice & Management: Leading pastoral team meetings and engaging in wider staff meetings to ensure mutual support and ongoing development.

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• Programme Development: Collaborating with the General Manager and the pastoral team to develop the annual retreat programme.

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• Worship & Table Hospitality: Participating in the worship rota and the ministry of "table hospitality"— welcoming and sharing meals with guests.

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• Community Engagement: Developing links with local communities, churches, ecumenical networks, and relevant organisations.

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• Residential Duties: As a resident staff member, participating in the regular fire duty and emergency cover rota when the Bield is open.

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The Recruitment Process

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• Informal Visits: Available by request to Gwen McDonald, General Manager 

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• Application Requirements: A letter of application addressing the key responsibilities and essential qualities, alongside a current CV with references.

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• References: One reference must be from a supervisor, mentor, or spiritual guide; a second character reference is also required.

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• Safeguarding: A PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check must be completed prior to the agreed start date.

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Application deadline: 11th May 2026 at 5pm

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Interviews held on: 27th May 2026

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Please send your completed application to: info@bieldatblackruthven.org.uk

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