Candidate Information Pack HEAD OF PROPERTY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We are delighted that you have expressed an interest in the Head of Property position at the Diocese of Rochester. We are seeking someone who can show the entrepreneurial skills, expertise and responsibility to manage a substantial property portfolio of over 200 properties located, in north and west Kent and south-east London, comprising clergy housing, some investment property (including land) and redundant churches. Vital to this post is the responsibility for the development and maximisation of the portfolio to support the growth agenda of the Diocese, along with supporting parishes in the management and development of their own properties. This is very much a strategic and leadership role, you would need to develop and implement strategic relationships with suppliers and partners to better enable effective development and management of the Diocesan property portfolio, with a strong emphasis on working collaboratively. An important part of the role is the shared working with others within leadership roles, in particular with colleagues on the Operations Management Team, the Archdeacons, and external advisors.
You will be an experienced leader, who is able to demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and collaborative working. You will undertake general management activities required in line with the vision, values and strategic framework of the Diocese. The Head of Property will be required to lead an already committed team, where they foster an approach which develops learning, development and service in the property team. You will join a strong and supportive operations management team who work collaboratively on day to day management and objectives overseeing a valued team of Diocesan staff with varied gifts and skills. If this is an opportunity that appeals to you, we would very much like to hear from you.
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Executive Summary About Us the Portfolio Net Zero Job Descripton Person Specification Benefits How to Apply
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Matthew Girt Diocesan Secretary
ABOUT US
We are the Church of England in the areas of Medway, north west Kent and the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley; a historic diocese in existence since 604AD. A diverse and vibrant community of faith, we share the vision that we are Called Together to change, serve and grow the church in this place. Serving a population of over 1.3 million people, the Diocese includes 215 parishes, 89 schools, and two bishops: The Bishop of Rochester and the Bishop of Tonbridge. We cover some of the most affluent areas in England, and some of the most deprived wards in the South-East. Our three archdeaconries of Bromley and Bexley, Rochester, and Tonbridge, characterise the increasing diversity found across our Diocese of varying kinds. With the expansion of London and adjoining communities, we are increasingly urban and suburban, yet still retain places which see themselves as rural. Our population is set to grow by 300,000 over the next 30 years. The Ebbsfleet Garden City development will have a new population of some 40,000 people – it is the biggest single housing development in England.
Called Together – Emerging Strategy Seeking first the Kingdom of God, we are called together by God to change, serve and grow with compassion, courage and creativity. Within this overall vision, our key objectives are to grow Missional Churches, Missional Leaders and Missional Disciples that
• are growing younger and more diverse,
• are growing numerically, spiritually, financially and in impacting their communities,
• and in turn are planting and growing new Missional Churches
THE PORTFOLIO The portfolio is substantial and comprises over 200 properties including clergy housing, investment property, land and redundant churches.
St John’s, Chatham
St John’s, Chatham is a strategic project for the Diocese. It encompasses major capital works and an innovative community programme. The capital works will transform St John’s Church from a heritage building at risk, into a thriving sustainable Gateway Community Hub that supports and enables mission in Chatham for the longer term. It is an exciting time for Chatham as substantial investment is being made in the regeneration of the town and the transformation of St John’s into a Gateway Community Hub is a key component of the wider strategy in an area of high deprivation hit hard by the pandemic. St John’s is one of the most prominent buildings in Chatham, the size of a small cathedral and the only Grade II* Listed building in the town centre. Built 200 hundred years ago to ‘celebrate the Victory of Waterloo’, it houses important heritage and unique war memorials reflecting the connection with the town’s history. It was closed for 20 years, its heritage inaccessible to local communities. In the past 4 years, the Diocese, Heritage England and the Church Commissioners (CCs) co-funded emergency works of £310k to maintain the building’s integrity for the immediate future. The Diocese and CCs have invested a further £330k to reopen and manage the building where the local worshipping community has grown in just two years to about 100 people. The new capital works programme is scheduled to commence this August and complete in December 2024 during which time the church community will temporarily relocate to another nearby church. The new Head of Property will bring their expertise and experience to this project to maintain a strategic overview to ensure successful delivery of the capital works programme. Read more about St John’s, Chatham
NET ZERO
Protecting creation’s life for future generations As part of our prophetic calling, we commit to speak about our role in caring for God’s creation, to work for the protection of the natural world and to equip Christians and churches to care for it. The Church of England has set an ambitious target to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030. A successful joint bid with Canterbury Diocese to the Church Commissioners’ Net Zero Carbon fund, means we will be able to finance a full-time role in each diocese to provide advice to parishes on their net zero work, as well as a shared role across both dioceses to maximise the learning across parishes. The net zero work focuses on our property portfolio, complemented by the Eco Church awards scheme which addresses our behaviours and other areas. Greening our clergy housing As part of our journey towards Net Zero, our project surveying Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) to establish the energy efficiency or otherwise of all parsonages within the Diocese was completed in 2023. Once fully reviewed the information will be used to provide recommendations to improve efficiency. An insulation ‘pilot’ scheme was also completed this year, with 15 properties benefitting from an upgrade to their insulation at a total cost of £30k.
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: LOCATION:
Head of Property
5. Clergy Housing • Oversee the diocesan strategy for clergy housing, including ensuring a rolling review of the housing portfolio to ensure that properties remain fit for purpose, cost efficient, and that returns from vacant properties are maximised. • Work with the Diocesan Surveyor to plan improvements and maintenance of clergy housing in line with budget. 6. General management Undertake the general management activities required of Diocesan Directors in line with the vision, values, and strategy of the Diocese, including • As a senior leader, be part of the dioceses commitment to developing a safe and healthy culture. • Plan Property Team people resources to meet objectives and targets • Ensure that the Property Team produces high calibre management information, in particular to ensure clear communication of the status of significant property transactions and how net income and capital transactions are tracking against budgets • Ensure that effective systems are in place for monitoring/reporting and managing property-related income, expenditure, supplier payments, creditors and debtor management • Lead a holistic culture of learning, development and service in the Property Team • Conduct/ensure effective annual appraisals and regular supervision meetings for all Property Team members • Implement best practice and legal requirements under duty of care and employment • Produce, in conjunction with the Finance Director, the Property Department annual revenue and capital budgets • Live out the Diocesan values as an exemplar for the Property Team, modelling effective leadership and collaboration both within the team and across the Diocese.
Diocesan Office, St. Nicholas Church, Boley Hill, Rochester
GRADE: Grade 11 REPORTING TO: Diocesan Secretary PURPOSE OF JOB
Responsible for the management of a substantial property portfolio located in north- west Kent and south-east London, comprising clergy housing, investment property (including land) and redundant churches. The Head of Property is also responsible for development of the portfolio to support the growth agenda of the Diocese and supporting parishes in management and development of their own properties in line with Ecclesiastical Measures.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES 1.Strategy and Leadership Develop and deliver Diocesan-level strategic thinking as it relates to property, in collaboration with the Diocesan Secretary, including • Contribute to the 5 year and longer- term financial planning of the Diocese, to supportDiocesan strategic objectives, including through entrepreneurial use of property assets • Develop and implement strategic relationships with suppliers and partners to better enableeffective management of the Diocesan property portfolio. Manage the external propertymanagers, currently Savills. • Work collaboratively with the Archdeacons and external advisers to identify opportunitiesto (re)develop and maximise returns from Diocesan property • Develop and implement Diocesan property policies and strategies to support and deliverthe Diocesan strategic framework ‘Called Together’ • Participate actively in the leadership of the Diocesan Office as a member of the OperationsManagement Team (OMT). • Lead and develop the Property Team to ensure delivery of a professional property supportto parishes, operating with a culture of service • Ensure that the Diocese discharges its responsibilities under relevant legislation
including related to Faculties, Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Measures. • Develop and maintain good relationships with the Church Buildings Council, HistoricEngland, the national amenity societies, local planning authorities and other relevantpartners. 2.Property Developments Work closely with the Diocesan Secretary in the strategic development of diocesan property and land assets, to identify opportunities for development and/or sale of sites which will maximise capital and/or revenue returns; then establish programmes and projects for agreed developments. 3. Investment Property Work with the Investment Property Committee and the Diocesan Secretary, reshape the Diocesan Investment Portfolio potentially including sale of asset management intensive assets and consider replacement with indirect property investment to improve diversification and increase income and capital returns to benefit both current and future generations. 4. Parish Property Strategic responsibility for the work of the DAC, as parishes seek to develop their own property on parish land, such as schemes for a new church hall, and ensure that its objectives and operation fit with the overall strategy and ethos of the diocese
PERSON SPECIFICATION
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Essential
COMPETENCIES Achievement Drive – A desire to meet or exceed standards, welcoming feedback, and continually seeking to improve. It includes staying focused on goals over an extended period of time. Relationships – The ability to understand the perspectives, feelings and concerns of others and initiate, build and maintain relationships in a mutually beneficial way. Recognise one’s own feelings and those of others and manage emotions effectively. Persuasiveness – The ability to convince others of a view, conclusion, position etc. Communicating in an impactful way, tailored to one’s audience. Problem Solving – The ability to investigate and breakdown a problem or situation into its component parts, identifying implications and the key underlying issues and establish possible solutions. Independence – A demonstrated belief in one’s capability to select an appropriate approach to a situation. It includes confidence in one’s judgement or opinion and showing resilience in adversity. Know when to seek the support and advice of others. Adaptability – The ability to adapt one’s behavioural style or method of approach where necessary to achieve a goal. Responds to change with a positive attitude and demonstrates a willingness to learn new ways to accomplish objectives. Teamworking – The willingness and ability to work co-operatively and collaboratively with others toward a shared goal, contributing actively to the team. Builds positive relationships and a sense of pride within the team.
• Graduate level education or a relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in relevant legislation including Property Law, Planning Law, Landlord & Tenant Law, Trust Law and Charities Act Law • Experience of senior leadership and team management in a property department of significant size, including experience of at least two of the following functions: residential service management, property asset management or building projects. • Experience of developing strategic plans for a property portfolio and for discrete development opportunities; thoroughly conversant with development and investment feasibility and appraisal techniques • Experienced negotiator with a track record of property acquisitions, sales and management • Able to develop, nurture and maintain sound working relationships with senior peers, staff members and external suppliers/partners • Expertise in managing and implementing capital projects and change programmes • Experience and skills in setting budgets and controlling delivery to meet income and expenditure targets • Articulate and well-presented, with high levels of literacy, numeracy and IT skills • Ability to work consultatively and in partnerships • Ability to prioritise and work under pressure • Able to access all areas of the diocese • It is essential that the post holder has an understanding of, and supports the Christian Ethos of the Church of England Desirable • Knowledge of the governance structures of the Church of England • A working understanding of Ecclesiastical Measures related to property • Conversant with the Town Planning legislation and procedures, current Building Regulations and CDM Regulations • Understanding of and empathy for the needs of clergy and parishes
BENEFITS We are offering a salary of £75,000 per annum, plus additional benefits such as: • 25 days annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays. Rising to 30 days after 10 years. • Scottish Widows Pension: 5% employee and 5% employer contribution • Group life Assurance – death in service benefit 4x salary. • Employee Assistance Programme, including 6 counselling sessions. • Additional specialist counselling and wellbeing support as required. • TOIL Scheme: Time accrued for hours worked beyond 6pm or at the weekend. This is for pre-agreed planned meetings only (i.e. not just working late) • Flexi Scheme: Core hours are 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm. Around these hours employees can flex their time as they wish, working their 35 hours per week. Employees can accrue up to a max of 7 hours in a 4-week period and take this as a full or half day, time taken within core hours must be booked.
HOW TO APPLY
For a confidential discussion to learn more about the role and opportunity please contact our appointed recruitment partners of The Management Recruitment Group:
STEPHANIE HOWE stephanie.howe@mrgglobal.com CHARLEY MCCARTHY charley.mccarthy@mrgglobal.com
Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV and supporting cover letter outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post. Applications should be sent to both Stephanie and Charley. Key Recruitment Dates: MRG Interviews: w/c 17th June & w/c 24th June 2024 Shortlist meeting: Wednesday 3rd July 2024 Interview with the Diocese: Monday 15th July 2024
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