The Head of Property is a crucial and pivotal role at the Diocese, as you will lead the strategic management of the Diocese’s assets, taking responsibility for maximising income and capital returns from assets, including property development on investment land and buildings.
Reporting to the Diocesan Secretary, you will oversee the management of the Diocese’s housing and the Glebe estate. You will ensure good quality clergy accommodation through strategic maintenance and planned enhancements, along with the sale, purchase and development of housing stock and glebe land as required.
You will also work alongside with others oversee the management of the programme of improvement works to DBF property and land holdings, in relation to the Diocese’s Net Zero Carbon Action Plan, including engagement with national and regional bodies.
Managing the Property Services Team, which oversees the management of all clergy and other housing within the Diocese, you will ensure maintenance and improvements are performed within agreed timeframes and budgets and provide an excellent and friendly service to clergy and their household. In addition, you will ensure maximised rental income from vacant housing and glebe land which is a key income stream for the Diocese.
As Head of Property, you will offer support to parishes and protect their interests by advising on decision making regarding their buildings, with a particular focus on enhancing utilisation and value, especially for church halls. You will also represent, protect and advance the interests of PCCs, Incumbents and Churchwardens, by partnering with them to provide high-level advice to parishes on the effective management of property matters, particularly in cases where the Diocese acts as custodian trustee on their behalf.
As a key member of the Diocesan Office and Senior Management Team (SMT), Diocesan Finance & Assets Committee, and Property Advisory Group, you will manage the property budget, taking part in budget reviews and budget setting in partnership with the Director of Finance and Finance & Assets Committee.
MRICS qualified and with experience of working in the property sector, ideally as a surveyor or with experience in asset management, residential property management and landlord and tenant relations you should have demonstrable experience of procuring and supervising contractors in the delivery of property related projects and services.
With proven leadership experience, including strategic property development and resource planning, you should have a knowledge of driving maximum return from property and/or land assets, including experience of property disposals and purchases.
An understanding of Property Law is essential, and you should also be experienced in planning, managing and reviewing substantial budgets and exercising strict financial controls in a property environment.
Sympathetic to the overall Christian mission of the Church of England, including the Diocese’s schools, church communities and buildings, you should be prepared and able to travel regularly throughout the Diocese.
Previous experience within Charities or Not-for-Profit organisations is desirable but not essential.
The Housing and Land assets of the Diocese of Canterbury comprises operational and investment properties, almost all of which consist of ministry housing stock and a small amount of Glebe Land. Assets include circa 170 parsonage houses, the majority of which are occupied by clergy, establishing a unique relationship between the Diocese and church leaders. A minority of the stock (around 50 properties) which are intended for ministry but not currently used, generate substantial rental income. Notably, recent years have seen the move to ensure that we have the right properties in the right places for ministry as well as exploring development opportunities on existing properties that are due to be reviewed, sold or replaced.
Canterbury Diocese is the oldest diocese in England, stretching from Maidstone to Thanet, the Isle of Sheppey to the Romney Marsh. We have 350 miles of coastline with historic ports and seaside resorts, alongside rural communities, market towns and commuter-belt urban developments. Affluent areas often sit alongside pockets of major deprivation, offering an exciting and challenging mission context.
At the heart of all we do is a vision of transformation for ourselves and our communities: no one can encounter God and remain unchanged. In the Diocese of Canterbury, we want to increasingly become a Christian community transformed through encounter with Christ, growing and overflowing to transform and bless the families, homes and communities we serve: Changed Lives, Changing Lives.
For further information and to apply please go to:
Closing date: 9 July 2024, 11:59pm