Birmingham Cathedral is a publically accessible, listed building with a wide variety of users, which is open 365 days per year. We wish to employ a confident and experienced individual to take on the role of Head of Facilities. The role will involve daily oversight of Cathedral activities and events through strong working relationships with key cathedral staff, professional leadership of our Vergers Team, and a clear sense of organisation and prioritisation.

The Head of Facilities will ensure the smooth running of all our routine activities, with a particular focus on facilitating both physical and digital worship. You will maintain consistently high standards of presentation and welcome in our Cathedral and Churchyard. We require an individual who can combine the spirit of Christian welcome with a clear authority in upholding our standards and a flexibility in problem-solving. An empathy for the ethos of the Church of England is vital in acting as a frontline representative of this Christian building.

1. Responsible for the smooth operation of Birmingham Cathedral (security, key holding, housekeeping, staff management & care of historic fabric)

• Ensure that the Cathedral is ready and functioning for worship (this may include occasional liturgical responsibility)
• Function as the lead advocate and practitioner for all technical aspects relating to sound and light in the Cathedral.
• Responsibility for training colleagues and Cathedral-wide staff in basic use of the systems as well as responsibility for maintenance and upkeep.
• Ensure that the Vergers Team are supported to deliver their roles at a consistently high standard.
• Work with Welcome Manager in the supervision of volunteers
• Performance Reviews and Appraisals with the vergers.
• Training Recruitment and Induction of vergers and volunteers
• Contribute to weekly senior management meeting (Dean’s Exec) and report and delegate appropriately to the Vergers Team
• Comply with Cathedral HR Policies

2. Responsible for regulatory and statutory checks and all operational equipment and facilities.

• Supervising all onsite contractors
• Have Chapter’s delegated responsibility for Health and Safety and Security. Undergo all necessary training to fulfil this role.
• Implement Chapter Health and Safety Policy to ensure all H&S matters are executed and reported, and all management records maintained.
• Responsibility for the Cathedral’s short and long term maintenance plans and regular review of contracts and suppliers.
• Reporting any issues to Chief Executive and Cathedral Architect and engagement with the Cathedral’s Fabric Advisory Committee.

3. Upholding the Cathedral Code of Conduct

• Ensuring that the Cathedral offers a warm welcome whilst upholding agreed standards of behaviour.
• Ensure an excellent visitor welcome and an exceptional level of presentation

4. Build Strong Internal Relationships

Key Internal Relationships will be:
• Vergers Team
• Clergy and Music Departments (delivery of worship and special events)
• Head of Corporate Events (infrastructure and delivery of events)
• Head of Comms and Events (Internal and External publicity material)
• Churchwardens and Congregation
• Cathedral Volunteers

5. Build Strong External Relationships

Key Working Relationships with:
• External Contractors working in the Cathedral
• External Event Holders
• West Midlands Police, City Council, Amey and Colmore BID to ensure the safety and appearance of Cathedral Square

6. Create robust administrative systems and prepare operational information

• Planned and Preventative Maintenance schedule
• Conservation Management Plan
• Ordering Stock
• Preparing Rotas, granting leave and maintaining sickness records
• Banking and reconciliation
• Statistical Reporting
• Maintenance / H&S logs.
• Have an excellent knowledge of the cathedral diary and plan ahead, anticipating upcoming activity.
• Management of Cathedral shop and shop volunteers

Please see attached the Comprehensive Person Specification and Role Description

Terms and Conditions

Remuneration : £33,900
Pension: 8% Employer’s Contributory Pension subject to meeting auto enrolment criteria
Office Accommodation: Cathedral
Working time: 37 hours (flexibility essential) Some evening and weekends
Holidays: 28 days plus bank holidays
Expenses : Reasonable expenses incurred in the course of executing duties will be reimbursed.
Disclosure and Barring (DBS)Service check: This role will be subject to an enhanced DBS check
Probationary period: Role subject to a 6 month probationary period

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. However, as those from minority ethnic groups are currently under-represented in our staff team, we would particularly welcome applications from those groups.

Deadline for Applications: Wednesday 3rd February 2021
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview on Tuesday 9th February 2021