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NFP People Limited; Kidlington; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

NFP People Limited, on behalf of a major UK church denomination, invites applications for Head of Church Buildings in Kidlington. This senior role leads the Diocese Church Buildings Team, guiding care, conservation and use of 808 churches across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

You will shape strategy, manage a skilled team, engage with bishops and parishes, and drive sustainable outcomes including Net Zero ambitions.

Qualifications

• Experience of managing complex projects and leading professional teams.
• Strong strategic and operational leadership with excellent communication.
• Deep understanding of conservation principles for historic buildings.
• Ability to balance heritage with mission and community needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Diocese Church Buildings Team.
• Oversee care, conservation, adaptation and sustainable use of church buildings and churchyards.
• Lead a team of specialist staff and manage relationships with bishops, archdeacons, parishes and national church bodies.
• Ensure the Diocese's statutory responsibilities relating to church buildings are fulfilled.
• Oversee the faculty system across the Diocese.
• Oversee church closure schemes and sustainable futures for historic buildings.

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of one of the largest church buildings portfolios in the country?

We are seeking an inspiring leader to head the Church Buildings Team, overseeing the care, conservation and suitable use of 808 churches across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

This is a unique opportunity to influence strategy, lead a talented team, and help ensure these historic buildings continue to serve communities for generations to come.

Position: Head of Church Buildings

Location: Kidlington, Oxford/hybrid

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Interviews: Monday 26 October 2026 and may be combined with both an off-site visit and on-site interview located at Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, OX5 1GF. Transport will be provided for any element of the off-site visit.

The Role

This is a unique opportunity to lead the largest and one of the most significant church buildings portfolios in the country, helping to secure the future of 808 churches across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

As Head of Church Buildings, you will:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Diocese Church Buildings Team


• Oversee the care, conservation, adaptation and sustainable use of church buildings and churchyards


• Lead an excellent team of specialist staff


• Manage key relationships with bishops, archdeacons, parishes and national church bodies


• Ensure the effective operation of the Diocese's statutory responsibilities relating to church buildings.


• Act as Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)


• Oversee the faculty system across the Diocese


• Oversee pastoral reorganisations and initiatives that help churches meet contemporary challenges, including sustainability, community use and Net Zero ambitions.

The role also includes responsibility for church closure schemes and closed churches, working with a wide range of stakeholders to secure sustainable futures for historic church buildings no longer required for worship.

This is a high-profile leadership role requiring strategic vision, excellent people management skills and a passion for conserving and sustaining some of England's most important heritage assets. It will require someone comfortable working autonomously and to bring their own ideas and enthusiasm to the transformation work, successfully put in train by the previous post-holder. It provides a fantastic opportunity for a senior leader to influence and mould the future operating model of the Church Buildings' Team.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and inspiring leader with a strong background in historic building conservation, heritage management, property, architecture or a related field.

You will have:

• Experience of managing complex projects, leading professional teams and working with multiple stakeholders in often sensitive and politically nuanced environments.


• Experience of operating at both strategic and operational levels, with excellent communication skills and the ability to influence, negotiate and build effective partnerships.


• A deep understanding of conservation principles and the management of historic buildings, together with the ability to balance heritage considerations with the mission, worship and community needs of today's churches.


• Significant experience of leading and developing professional staff and teams.


• Experience of strategic planning and delivering programmes that support the care and sustainability of historic buildings.


• Strong project, governance and budget management skills.


• The ability to work confidently with senior leaders, committees and external partners.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the preparation of reports and presentations.


• An understanding of, and sympathy with, the mission and work of the Church of England.


• Knowledge of the Church of England's faculty jurisdiction, ecclesiastical legislation and church closure processes would be advantageous, although applications are welcome from professionals with transferable experience from related sectors.

You do not need to be a practising Christian to work with us. Around half of our staff are not practising Christians, but all are comfortable working within the Christian ethos and values that underpin our work.

The successful candidate must have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. If you do not hear from us, your application has not been successful. We are particularly keen to receive applications from UK Minority Ethnic / Global Majority heritage and disabled candidates, who are currently underrepresented.

Our client is committed to the safeguarding, care, and nurture of everyone within the church community. They follow and are committed to their Safeguarding Policies and the relevant statutory legislation and guidance, "Working together" to ensure the welfare of children and young people is paramount.

You may have experience in other areas such as Facilities, Heritage, Conservation, Buildings, Estate, Historic Buildings, Property, Head of Facilities, Head of Heritage and Conservation, Head of Buildings, Head of Estate, Head of Historic Buildings, Head of Property.