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- Tasks: Lead property operations, ensuring safety and sustainability across the Cathedral estate.
- Company: St Albans Cathedral, a vibrant cultural and community hub.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help preserve a historic landmark for future generations.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership, organisation, and communication skills required.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse stakeholders in a dynamic and supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 49000 £ per year.
St Albans Cathedral is seeking to recruit a Head of Property & Facilities. This is a senior operational role responsible for the safety, maintenance, sustainability and statutory compliance of the entire Cathedral estate. The role ensures that all buildings, systems, equipment and external areas are professionally managed and remain fit for purpose for staff, volunteers, visitors and worshippers.
Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire. On site. Salary: £43,000 – £47,000 per annum depending on experience. Full time (35 hrs pw). St Albans Cathedral is a major cultural and community hub, supporting worship, learning, events, hospitality, commercial activity with over 620,000 in footfall a year. The estate includes the Cathedral building, Welcome Centre, Chapter House, residential and commercial properties, utilities infrastructure and extensive external spaces. The effective operation of these facilities is essential to the Cathedral’s daily activities, events programme and long-term mission.
As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Property & Facilities plays a central role in the Cathedral’s operational delivery, safety and security, including internal and external events. The role works collegiately with staff teams and volunteers across the Cathedral as well as with external stakeholders including contractors, advisers and statutory bodies. Other key relationships are with the Cathedral Architect, Cathedral Archaeologist and Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee in relation to conservation and fabric work. Being able to build relationships and work collaboratively with a wide range of different stakeholders is therefore an essential requirement for this post as well as having excellent organisation, planning and communication skills.
The Role Encompasses:
- Full responsibility for property operations and maintenance
- Leadership of statutory inspections, compliance and risk management
- Management of planned, cyclical and reactive works
- Liaison with local authorities, regulators and insurers on works and health and safety matters
- Estate based sustainability and Net Zero work, working collaboratively with the Sustainability Projects Officer
- Working with other staff and volunteers, take a key role in advising Chapter on next steps in response to the recent Quinquennial Inspection by the Cathedral Architect
- Creation of the statutorily required 7 Year Plan, working collaboratively with the Cathedral Architect and getting sign off from SMT and Chapter
- Contractor procurement and contract oversight
- Health & Safety and fire safety leadership
- Security systems management
- Asset management and record keeping
- Operational input into events and visitor activity
- Support for residential property operations and tenancy changes
- Managing the relationship and working collaboratively with the property management company for commercially let properties
- Planning and client management of specialist fabric contracted works and projects
- Where required by legislation or Cathedral governance, liaise with the Cathedral Architect, Archaeologist and Fabric Advisory Committee for specific permissions or technical oversight. This is a limited, procedural aspect within a wider facilities remit.
The post is supported by one part time administration role to assist with maintenance and one part time maintenance worker.
How to Apply: For further details or an informal discussion please contact Michelle Ovenden, Head of HR. Email: michelle.ovenden@stalbanscathedral.org Closing date for applications: Friday 27 February 2026. Interviews will be held on 18 March.
St Albans Cathedral: Head of Property and Facilities employer: The Institute Of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)
Contact Detail:
The Institute Of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land St Albans Cathedral: Head of Property and Facilities
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to St Albans Cathedral. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Cathedral's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about the Cathedral’s mission and community impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently is key. Consider mock interviews with friends or mentors.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace St Albans Cathedral: Head of Property and Facilities
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in property management and facilities operations. We want to see how your skills align with the specific needs of St Albans Cathedral.
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills: Since this role involves working with a variety of stakeholders, be sure to include examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams or external partners in your previous roles. We love seeing teamwork in action!
Highlight Your Compliance Knowledge: Given the importance of statutory compliance in this role, don’t forget to mention any relevant experience you have with health and safety regulations, inspections, or risk management. It’s a big deal for us!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Institute Of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of property management and facilities operations. Brush up on relevant legislation, compliance standards, and sustainability practices. This role is all about ensuring safety and efficiency, so being able to discuss these topics confidently will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior operational role, they’ll be looking for someone who can lead and inspire a team. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully managed teams or projects in the past. Highlight your experience in liaising with various stakeholders, as collaboration is key in this position.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about potential challenges you might face in managing the Cathedral estate and how you would address them. Being able to demonstrate your strategic thinking and planning skills will set you apart.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the Cathedral’s long-term vision for property and facilities management or how they measure success in this role. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
