At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Church Buildings team and support parishes in caring for historic church buildings.
- Company: Join a supportive Diocese committed to community and heritage.
- Benefits: Flexi-time, 28 days leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across Sussex and opportunities for training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on preserving significant church buildings and their communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing historic buildings and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 53664 - 53664 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Church Buildings Team Leader to lead the Church Buildings team and play a key role in supporting parishes, clergy and diocesan governance structures in the care, repair and development of the Diocese’s significant church buildings estate.
Position: Church Buildings Team Leader
Location: Hove/Hybrid
Salary: £53,664 per annum (£48,297 during training period if Mission & Pastoral responsibilities are phased in)
Hours: 37.5 hour per week (flexi time available)
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Midnight on 7th June 2026.
Interview Date: Hove on Friday 26th June 2026.
About the Role
The Diocese is responsible for around 450 church buildings, of which 181 are Grade I listed, 93 are Grade II*, and 99 are Grade II. This is a portfolio of exceptional historic, architectural and community value, presenting both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. Reporting to the Property Director, you will lead a skilled professional team and provide high-quality advice on church buildings, churchyards, faculty processes, and (subject to experience and training) mission and pastoral reorganisation. You will act as Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), working closely with clergy, PCCs, archdeacons, external advisers and diocesan colleagues. The role will involve travel across the Diocese, with some evening and occasional weekend working (time off in lieu provided).
Key responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the Church Buildings team, including performance management and budgeting
- Support and advise the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches
- Provide expert guidance to parishes and clergy on the care, repair and improvement of church buildings and their contents
- Oversee faculty applications and permissions processes
- Build strong, constructive relationships with stakeholders across the Diocese and beyond
- Contribute to training events, communications and wider diocesan initiatives
- Depending on your experience, you will support mission and pastoral reorganisation and work relating to closed churches, with scope for training and phased responsibility of these aspects of the role
About You
You will bring substantial experience in the care or management of historic or ecclesiastical buildings, along with strong leadership skills and a collaborative approach. You will also have:
- A degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field such as heritage management, architecture, surveying or building conservation
- Strong understanding of heritage legislation, permissions frameworks and national policy relating to church buildings
- Experience working with clergy, PCCs, volunteers or comparable stakeholder groups
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- An ability to interpret legislation and provide clear, practical advice
- Affiliate membership (or above) of the IHBC and familiarity with the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules are desirable, as is experience of presentation and training delivery.
- Sympathy with the values and mission of the Church of England and committed to collaborative, professional working.
About the Organisation
The vision of the Diocese is to help people to know, love and follow Jesus. Based in Hove and serving the people of Sussex across more than 360 parishes and 154 church schools and the wider community, this is a great role for someone who supports the ethos, aims and objectives of the Diocese and the Church of England. As an employer, and as a team, the mutual values at work are to be Respectful, Professional, Flexible and Supportive.
What is on offer:
- Flexi-time and the opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home for part of the week.
- 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and two privilege days per year.
- Membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a 15.1% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 0-6%.
- Employee Assistance Programme with access to GP appointments, counselling and financial and legal support.
- Free parking, and the ride to work scheme and development opportunities.
Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment and to comply with the relevant safeguarding policy.
Church Buildings and Estates Team Leader in Hove employer: Carer Support Wiltshire
The Diocese of Sussex offers a rewarding opportunity for the Church Buildings and Estates Team Leader to lead a dedicated team in the stewardship of a remarkable portfolio of historic church buildings. With a strong commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive work culture, employees can thrive while contributing to the community's spiritual and architectural heritage. The organisation values respect, professionalism, and collaboration, making it an excellent employer for those passionate about heritage management and community service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Church Buildings and Estates Team Leader in Hove
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the church community and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the Diocese and its values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Practise answering common interview questions so you can showcase your skills confidently.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for heritage management! Bring examples of your past work with historic buildings to the table. This will help demonstrate your commitment and expertise in the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Church Buildings and Estates Team Leader in Hove
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with historic or ecclesiastical buildings. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Church Buildings Team Leader, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to manage teams and build relationships. Share examples of how you’ve successfully led projects or teams in the past, especially in collaborative environments like parishes or community groups.
Communicate Clearly:Your written communication skills are key for this role, so make sure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your application well to make it easy for us to read and understand your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right place and allows us to keep track of all submissions efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carer Support Wiltshire
✨Know Your Heritage
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of heritage legislation and permissions frameworks. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you understand the complexities of managing historic church buildings.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your collaborative approach and how you've built strong relationships with stakeholders, as this role requires excellent interpersonal skills.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Think about potential challenges you might face in the role, such as overseeing faculty applications or advising on repairs. Prepare to discuss how you would handle these situations, demonstrating your problem-solving abilities.
✨Align with the Diocese's Values
Familiarise yourself with the ethos and mission of the Church of England. Be prepared to express your sympathy with their values during the interview, as cultural fit is just as important as qualifications.
