At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead building projects for church planting and revitalisation across the Diocese.
- Company: Join the Church of England Birmingham, dedicated to community growth and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and community welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while working with historic and modern buildings.
- Qualifications: Building Surveying qualification and relevant experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 44000 £ per year.
Role Summary
Department: Property Team Reports To: Director of Property Contract: Fixed Term – Four Years Salary: £44,000 Location: Diocese-wide with regular site visits
Purpose of the Role
To act as the lead professional Building Surveyor for Church Planting and Revitalisation projects across the Diocese, providing technical advice, condition assessment, defect diagnosis, statutory compliance support, heritage consultation and project delivery expertise.
The postholder will ensure that buildings are suitable, sustainable and legally compliant while supporting the mission and strategic objectives of Church of England Birmingham.
Background to the Role
Church of England Birmingham (Cof EB) is on a journey of growing churches at the heart of every community.
Through this we are seeing growth in many exciting ways and have recently been awarded over £17.8m for the latest phase of our strategy from the national church.
A key theme within our strategy is Church Planting and Revitalisation.
This is where we either start new churches in communities that need them or breathe new life into existing churches that are struggling.
Buildings are normally key.
We either need to buy buildings and retrofit them or update our existing buildings for this purpose.
The role will lead on the property elements of these projects under the existing project governance.
- Key Elements Of This Role Include
- Managing a range of building improvement projects from very small to quite large from conception to completion.
- Stakeholder management and communications so that plans are formed and delivered collaboratively.
- Submitting applications to Birmingham Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC), on behalf of parishes, to gain permission for property improvements.
- Working with internal teams, predominantly Mission Support and the Project Management Office, to ensure projects are delivered holistically and in line with funder expectations.
- Supporting Directors, Archdeacons and others to develop the property elements of future strategic plans.
This will mean providing advice and technical knowledge to support the creation of costed concepts that will be used to secure the funding required for a project.
Reporting Relationships and Governance
The role will meet monthly with the Director of Strategic Transformation who will assign new projects as they come on stream and act as the primary liaison between our church planting and revitalisation strategy and this role.
- Key Internal Relationships
- Director of Property
- Mission Support Team
- Project Management Office
- Executive Board
- Archdeacons
- Parish Representatives
- Project Steering Groups
- Key External Relationships
- Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)
- Local Authority Planning Officers
- Conservation Officers
- Building Control Bodies
- Professional Consultants
- Contractors
- Grant Funders
- Heritage and Ecclesiastical Buildings
A significant proportion of the portfolio comprises historic and listed church buildings.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with heritage assets of exceptional architectural, cultural and community significance.
Responsibilities Will Include
- Advising on repair and adaptation of listed buildings.
- Preparing supporting information for heritage-related applications.
- Liaising with conservation officers and DAC advisers.
- Balancing heritage significance with modern missional and community requirements.
- Supporting parishes in understanding conservation obligations and opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Building Surveys and Technical Assessment
- Undertake or commission condition surveys.
- Undertake defect diagnosis.
- Carry out building inspections and audits.
- Advise on suitability of properties for future use.
- Prepare technical reports and recommendations.
- Assess maintenance liabilities.
- Advise on lifecycle and preventative maintenance strategies.
- Development of Building Improvement Projects
- Prepare schedules of work.
- Develop technical specifications.
- Produce budget estimates.
- Support funding applications.
- Develop option appraisals.
- Assist in acquisition and adaptation assessments.
- Advise on procurement routes.
- Statutory Approvals and Faculty Applications
- Lead Faculty application processes.
- Submit DAC documentation.
- Coordinate planning applications.
- Coordinate Listed Building Consent applications.
- Liaise with Building Control.
- Consult Conservation Officers.
- Why Join Us
- Work across one of the most diverse property portfolios in the region.
- Manage projects involving heritage, community and modern buildings.
- Apply professional surveying skills in a highly autonomous role.
- Influence strategic property decisions at diocesan level.
- Develop expertise in church, heritage and community property.
- Make a lasting difference to communities across Birmingham.
- Play a key role in growing churches at the heart of every community.
Person Specification
Essential
- Building Surveying qualification or equivalent.
- Relevant experience preferable.
- Condition surveys and inspections.
- Defect diagnosis.
- Specifications and schedules of work.
- Building Regulations knowledge.
- Planning and statutory compliance.
- Consultant management.
- Cost estimating and tender evaluation.
- Health & Safety knowledge.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to travel across the Diocese.
Desirable
- MRICS Building Surveyor.
- Listed building experience.
- Ecclesiastical buildings experience.
- Faculty jurisdiction knowledge.
- Contract administration.
- Planned maintenance experience.
- Church of England understanding.
Salary and Benefits
- 12% employer pension contribution
- 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- 3 additional Diocesan Discretionary Days
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities where operationally appropriate
- Opportunities for specialist professional development within heritage and ecclesiastical property
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work.
We welcome applications from any individuals who feel that they meet the person specification for any post, in particular from those who are currently under-represented in our staff teams such as those from Global Majority Heritage or UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQI+.
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
All post holders are expected to share this commitment.
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Building Surveyor – Church Planting and Revitalisation in Wideopen employer: The Church of England
The Church of England in Liverpool is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that values diversity and inclusivity. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth through diocesan training courses and the chance to make a meaningful impact within the community. With a strong commitment to nurturing vocations, this role provides a unique opportunity to engage with various church traditions and contribute to the spiritual development of lay ministry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Building Surveyor – Church Planting and Revitalisation in Wideopen
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
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Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like The Church of England.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
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We think you need these skills to ace Building Surveyor – Church Planting and Revitalisation in Wideopen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting The Church of England know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what The Church of England is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Church of England
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.
