Connexional Conservation Officer

South West Community Chaplaincy; Manchester, Greater London; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Flexi-leave / TOIL

Wellbeing adviser service

Pension scheme (double employer up to

Job summary

The Methodist Church is seeking an experienced Conservation Officer to protect and enhance historic church buildings and oversee Ecclesiastical Exemption matters. You will work with trustees, heritage bodies and teams across the Connexional Team to ensure buildings support worship, mission and community engagement while preserving architectural significance.

This remote role involves UK travel, including offices in Manchester and London, and offers a chance to shape policy and best practice for

Qualifications

• Knowledgeable conservation professional with ability to advise on listed buildings and Ecclesiastical Exemption.
• Experience developing conservation policies and guidance.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the administration of the Ecclesiastical Exemption arrangements and provide specialist conservation advice on listed buildings and heritage assets.
• Support and advise the Listed Buildings Advisory Committee, coordinating applications and decision-making processes.
• Assess and advise on repair, alteration, conservation and development proposals affecting historic church buildings.
• Work with trustees, professional advisers and heritage bodies to secure positive conservation outcomes.
• Develop conservation policies, guidance and best practice to support stewardship of heritage assets.
• Promote compliance with heritage legislation and assist investigations of unauthorised works where required.
• Build relationships with key external stakeholders, including national heritage and statutory bodies.
• Support sustainable adaptation of historic buildings in line with church commitments to mission, inclusion, accessibility and Net Zero Carbon objectives.

Skills

Conservation

Heritage policy

Stakeholder management

Legal/compliance

Job description

The Vacancy

The Methodist Church’s listed buildings make a significant contribution to the heritage and life of our urban and rural landscapes. We recognise that, to be sustainable and to continue to serve their local communities, listed churches may need to change and adapt to meet changing worship and missional needs.

The Methodist Church is seeking an experienced conservation professional to play a significant role in protecting, enhancing and supporting the sustainable use of some of the UK's most significant and valued historic church buildings.

As Conservation Officer, you will be the Church's specialist adviser on matters relating to heritage, conservation and the Ecclesiastical Exemption process. You will work closely with managing trustees, heritage bodies, committees and colleagues across the Connexional Team to ensure that historic buildings continue to support worship, mission and community engagement while preserving their architectural and historic significance.

This is a unique opportunity to combine professional conservation expertise with meaningful work that supports the mission and witness of the Methodist Church.

The role is home-based with travel across the UK as required, including the Church’s offices in Manchester and London.

Methodist Ministers:

Please note that applications from Methodist Ministers (Presbyters and Deacons) cannot be considered for this role.

About You

We are looking for a knowledgeable and proactive conservation professional who can combine technical expertise with strong relationship-building and influencing skills. You will:

• Lead the administration of the Methodist Church’s Ecclesiastical Exemption arrangements and provide specialist conservation advice on listed buildings and heritage assets.
• Support and advise the Listed Buildings Advisory Committee, including coordinating applications and decision-making processes.
• Assess and advise on repair, alteration, conservation and development proposals affecting historic church buildings.
• Work with trustees, professional advisers and heritage bodies to secure positive conservation outcomes.
• Develop conservation policies, guidance and best practice to support the effective stewardship of heritage assets.
• Promote compliance with heritage legislation and support the investigation of unauthorised works where required.
• Build effective relationships with key external stakeholders, including national heritage and statutory bodies.
• Support the sustainable adaptation of historic buildings in line with the Methodist Church’s commitments to mission, inclusion, accessibility and Net Zero Carbon objectives.

Our Culture, Values and Benefits

Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming team that strives for excellence and values employee wellbeing, a work-life balance augmented by:

• Generous annual leave (plus an extra 3 days over Christmas/New Year)
• Flexi-leave and or TOIL (where applicable)
• Access to an on-site Wellbeing Adviser service.
• A generous occupational pension scheme, where the Methodist Church will pay double the employee contribution up to a maximum of 16% employer contribution.

The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups.

For questions or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please email HR Team.

Key Dates

Closing Date for Applications: 18 November 2026

Interviews (on-site in London): 1 December 2026

Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if sufficient applications are received.