Head of Church Buildings - Diocese of Oxford

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 our 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. 

Salary: £58,133.82 - £62,605.56 per annum

Salary band: G

Hours: 37 hours per week 

Contract:  Permanent, full time

Location: Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, OX5 1GF

Closing date for receipt of applications: Tuesday 6 October 2026, at midnight

Interviews will be on: 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.

About 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 of Oxford's Church Buildings Team, overseeing the care, conservation, adaptation and sustainable use of church buildings and churchyards. You will lead an excellent team of specialist staff, manage key relationships with bishops, archdeacons, parishes and national church bodies, and ensure the effective operation of the Diocese's statutory responsibilities relating to church buildings.

You will act as Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), oversee the faculty system across the Diocese, and 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 bring substantial experience of managing complex projects, leading professional teams and working with multiple stakeholders in often sensitive and politically nuanced environments.

Comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, you will be an excellent communicator with the ability to influence, negotiate and build effective partnerships.

You will have 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.

You will also have:

• 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.

If you would like to learn more about the role by having a conversation with the existing postholder or Line Manager, then please contact Liz.Kitch@oxford.anglican.org, (current Head of Church Buildings Team) or Kim.Grosvenor@oxford.anglican.org, (Director of Secretariat) to arrange a conversation.

How to apply:

Job Description | Application Form | Recruitment Monitoring Form | Privacy Notice

Please email your completed application form, recruitment monitoring form and a short cover letter detailing your suitability and interest in the role to recruitment@oxford.anglican.org  

We want our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion for all to be reflected in the composition of our staff. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from communities currently underrepresented in the diocese.