The role focuses on helping communities maintain, repair and adapt their historic church buildings, the vast majority being medieval in foundation and listed either Grade I or II*. We are looking for someone with knowledge of historic church buildings and their conservation as well as enthusiasm for securing their sustainable future.

You will need to demonstrate project management skills, the ability to work with volunteers and experience in accessing funding. You would be part of a small team who would support you in getting to know the details of this varied and interesting role.

MAIN DUTIES AND KEY RESULT AREAS:

• Develop a programme to improve the condition of the diocese’s listed and other historic churches, focussing on those identified as Heritage At Risk, poor or vulnerable or close to a tipping point, by implementing a strategy for historic church management using a risk assessment based on an updated Quinquennial Inspection Reports survey; helping parishes understand the importance of routine maintenance and effectively plan and organise this work; developing a management plan with parishes, addressing repairs and sustainability for buildings prioritised for support
• With colleagues, consider the environmental, heritage, community, mission and pastoral needs of historic churches
• Contribute to meeting the church’s net zero carbon target
• Enable parishes to access increased funding and generate income to maintain their buildings by: a. Providing information, guidance and assistance with applications b. Helping parishes capture data on outcomes in terms of grants obtained and increased use and engagement
• Support and train volunteers to maintain historic churches following best practice
• Develop quality, accessible webpages giving public information about local historic churches
• Celebrate what makes church buildings special and give local people and wider groups the chance to get involved and experience and enjoy them
• Undertake such other reasonable duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the role.

Knowledge & Skill:

Essential

• Knowledge of and interest in church architecture and buildings, archaeology and history, particularly the maintenance, restoration and conservation of historic buildings, and of the relevant legislation and structures of the Church of England
• Excellent communication skills, written, verbal and presentational
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with people at all levels including working with volunteers
• Ability to work with professional advisors
• Excellent IT skills, using Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel
• Good attention to detail, accuracy and thoroughness in all aspects of the work, good record keeping skills and the ability to work methodically.
• Calmness under pressure

Desirable

• Experience in problem solving, project management, monitoring and evaluation
• Knowledge of the geography of the diocese

Qualifications & Experience:

Essential

• Education to degree level or equivalent
• Qualifications relevant to the care of churches

Desirable

• Membership of relevant professional body (such as IHBC)

Personal Attributes:

Essential

• Team player
• Able to manage a high-volume workload
• Able to work on your own initiative and have the capacity to work with minimal supervision, priorities effectively and work to deadlines
• Has a full valid driving license and/or other methods of transport
• Sympathetic to/supportive of our diocesan strategy, aims and objectives

Desirable

• Knowledge of community funding resources and how to access them
• Historic England strongly encourages post-holders, in agreement with their employers, to develop a programme of appropriate Continuing Professional Development