At a Glance
- Tasks: Support communities in caring for historic church buildings and manage permissions for repairs.
- Company: Join a supportive team within the Diocese of Sussex, dedicated to heritage conservation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28 days annual leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on preserving cherished places for future generations.
- Qualifications: Degree or experience in heritage conservation and strong teamwork skills required.
Help Shape the Future of Sussex's Church Buildings
Are you passionate about historic buildings, heritage conservation and supporting communities to care for cherished places? We are seeking a proactive and organised Church Buildings Officer to join the Church Buildings Team. This role offers flexi-time and hybrid working.
Location: Hove/Hybrid
Salary: £38,600 per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week (flexible working available)
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 2nd August 2026
Interview Date: Hove on 13th August 2026
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to work with parishes across the Diocese, helping them care for and adapt their church buildings for future generations, while balancing heritage conservation, sustainability and mission. Our churches are among the most significant historic buildings in Sussex. As Church Buildings Officer, you will provide advice and support to parishes, manage permissions for repairs and routine works, assist with faculty applications, and support the work of the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC).
Reporting to the Church Buildings Team Leader, you will:
- Manage the List B permissions process on behalf of the Archdeacons.
- Advise parishes on the care, repair and improvement of church buildings, contents and churchyards.
- Support parishes in using the Online Faculty System and navigating permissions processes.
- Assist in progressing faculty applications and church building projects.
- Prepare agendas, committee papers and draft minutes for DAC meetings.
- Attend site visits across the Diocese and prepare reports on proposed projects.
- Help deliver training and guidance sessions for clergy, churchwardens and parish volunteers.
- Work with colleagues to encourage sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for church buildings.
About You
You will be someone with proven ability understanding and applying legislation relating to the management of the historic built environment, with a strong commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
You will have:
- A relevant degree or equivalent experience.
- Knowledge of historic buildings, heritage conservation and the management of the built environment.
- Experience in an advisory role and of working with volunteers.
- Experience of managing casework, applications or administrative processes that require a high degree of accuracy.
- Experience of organising meetings, preparing papers and maintaining records.
- Excellent written, administrative and IT skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- The ability to interpret legislation, technical guidance and procedures.
- A proactive, adaptable and solution-focused approach.
Experience in a church environment and knowledge of the Faculty Jurisdiction system would be advantageous but is not essential.
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:
- 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. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and the post will involve travelling around the Diocese, some evening work and occasional work at weekends.
Church Buildings Officer in Hove employer: Diocese of Chichester
Join a dedicated team at the Diocese of Sussex, where your passion for historic buildings and heritage conservation will be valued and nurtured. With a flexible working environment, generous leave, and a strong commitment to employee well-being, this role as Church Buildings Officer offers you the chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying professional growth and support in a collaborative culture. Located in Hove, you'll work closely with local parishes, ensuring that cherished church buildings are preserved for future generations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Church Buildings Officer in Hove
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Diocese of Chichester.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Diocese of Chichester.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Diocese of Chichester.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Diocese of Chichester. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Church Buildings Officer in Hove
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Diocese of Chichester. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Church Buildings Officer, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Diocese of Chichester
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Diocese of Chichester. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
