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- Tasks: Lead a team in managing and preserving historic church buildings across the Diocese.
- Company: Join a supportive and collaborative team within the Church of England.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexi-time, 28 days leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a dynamic and respectful environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community heritage while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in heritage management or related fields is essential.
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
- Proven line management experience
- 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.
If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape children’s and youth ministry, we would love to hear from you.
Church Buildings and Leader in Hove employer: Diocese of Chichester
Contact Detail:
Diocese of Chichester Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Church Buildings and Leader in Hove
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the church and heritage sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with others on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Diocese and its values. Understand their mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Whether it's presenting your ideas or discussing complex legislation, being clear and confident is key. Consider mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and contributing to the mission of the Diocese.
We think you need these skills to ace Church Buildings and 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!
Show Off Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past, and how you foster collaboration among stakeholders.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the position there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diocese of Chichester
✨Know Your Heritage
Familiarise yourself with the heritage legislation and permissions frameworks relevant to church buildings. Being able to discuss specific examples of how you've navigated these in past roles will show your expertise and commitment to preserving these significant structures.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading teams, particularly in a collaborative environment. Think of specific instances where you successfully managed a project or guided a team through challenges, as this role requires strong leadership and performance management.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your ability to build constructive relationships with various stakeholders, including clergy and PCCs. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated and collaborated with diverse groups to achieve common goals, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios related to church buildings. Prepare to discuss how you would approach faculty applications or advise on repairs, demonstrating your practical knowledge and ability to provide clear, actionable advice.