Asset Manager Candidate Information Pack
Introduction
About Us
Parish Property Support
Case Studies
Job Description
Benefits
Diversity & Inclusion
Key Dates
Introduction Dear Applicant,
Thank you for taking the time to find out more about the appointment of the Asset Manager role within the Parish Support Team with the Diocese of London. The Church of England in London is vibrant and at the heart of communities throughout the capital. The Diocese of London comprises parishes, chaplaincies, and missional communities in London north of the River Thames. At the London Diocesan Fund (LDF), we seek to do all that we can to support mission and growth in the Diocese of London, using our resources to help our parishes and worshipping communities serve over 4 million people. The Parish Property Support (PPS) team provide professional property advice to parishes alongside proactively managing the portfolio of closed churches and aligned buildings. The Parish Property Support team oversee a portfolio of around 100 buildings of which 30 are closed churches. The properties within the PPS team are hugely varied including a high number of listed buildings, most of which are ‘place makers’ and form the visual centre piece of a conservation area. The key focus of the Asset Manager role is to identify and release value and income from a highly varied portfolio by creating asset management initiatives in respect of existing property holdings to maximise return. I hope that the following information provides greater detail regarding the Asset Managee appointment and I hope that you may consider applying. Kevin Rogers, Director of Parish Property, LDF
About Us We serve a population of over 4m people covering 277 square miles of Greater London north of the River Thames and west of the River Lea, from the Isle of Dogs in the east to Staines in the west and as far north as Enfield. In its current form, our Diocese covers 17 boroughs in Greater London, in whole or in part, and also the district of Spelthorne in Surrey. It is coterminous with the historic county of Middlesex. The area we serve is predominantly urban, although there are significant suburban areas and even rural parts to our northern and western fringes. Within the Diocese of London, there are: • 500+ worshipping communities • 1,000 clergy and ministers • 200 men and women in training for ministry
• 75,000 adults on electoral rolls • 70,000+ regular worshippers • 150 church schools • 52,000+ pupils
• 150+ chaplaincies in schools, colleges, hospitals, the Met- ropolitan Police, Heathrow, railways, prisons, theatres, the forces, football clubs, Canary Wharf, livery companies, shops and City institutions • £1,000,000s raised each year for charities around the world • 1,500,000+ visitors and worshippers in St Paul’s Cathedral each year
Parish Property Support Many churches in London are fortunate to have other properties in the ownership of the PCC. These often share the same legal obligations as church buildings. In cases where parishes wish to lease their buildings, undertake development works, or undertake extensive repairs, the Parish Property Support Team offer support and advice.
The Portfolio The LDF has responsibility for 3,500 properties of which 1,800 support parish life. The Parish Property Support (PPS) team provide professional property advice to parishes alongside proactively managing the portfolio of closed churches and aligned buildings. The Parish Property Support team oversee a portfolio of around 100 buildings of which 30 are closed churches.
Case Studies
St Saviours Aberdeen Park Grade I listed. A highly unusual neo-byzantine chapel built within a residential neighbourhood. Review options to for how the building might be re-used and consider how freehold might be best sold with pre planning planning advice. St John Wapping Tower Grade II, sale of freehold. Majority of site (footprint of former church) has been developed into flats), however the early C18 tower remains undeveloped. Work with a conservation architect to secure pre-planning advice to increase value. Cloudesley Square, Islington Grade II* and the centre piece of a conservation area. Category A on the Heritage at Risk Register. £1.5m key funding has been secured to stabilise the condition. Secured an anchor tenant paying a premium for a 21-year lease. St Francis of Assisi, Willesden Grade II, sale of freehold of church and adjacent land. Secure pre-planning advice on the Grade II listed early C20 church building with adjacent land. Secure development potential for the site to increase value.
Christ Church, Hayes Sale of freehold of a site with a 1970s building in poor condition. Review options for disposal.
St Michael Paternoster Royal Grade I listed, new lease income
St Michael Paternoster Royal Grade I listed, new lease income
St James West, Ealing (unlisted) Grant a 15- or 21-year lease
St Paul, Oxgate Sale of residual freehold to long leaseholder
Various locations in Zone 1 &2 Rights of Light / Access licences
Job Description
EMPLOYER : The London Diocesan Fund (LDF) JOB TITLE : Asset Manager RESPONSIBLE TO : Head of Asset Management (Parish Property Support team) Overview At the London Diocesan Fund (LDF), we seek to do everything we can to support the mission and growth of the Church of England in London. The Diocese of London consists of 402 parishes, each representing an independent but affiliated charity, containing 450 places of worship. There is an estimated £600m backlog of building repairs, with the average need for investment per building being c.£1m. Many of our parishes have extensive programmes of community and social outreach to support their mission and vision. However, many of the buildings are in a poor condition and currently not in a fit state to support our missional objectives and the needs of the surrounding community. Within the portfolio of property are three groups of property, Open and Closed Church Buildings, about 490 sites and the cumulative value is roughly £1Bn. Open buildings are vested with the incumbent and our role is advisory but with the c. 30 closed buildings, these are in the direct care of the diocese. In addition, there is approximately 1,500 other property assets, halls, residential, open space with access licences. These properties are held by the Diocese on behalf of a number of parishes. This portfolio has an estimated value of £1Bn and if managed better could contribute significantly to the finances of parishes.
The Asset managers as a team has a direct relationship with the two other key forms of parish support which are within this directorate: Church Buildings Advisors and Fundraising. The three streams of work are interconnected, and the working pattern is highly collaborative. Job Summary The Asset/Development Manager reports to the Head of Asset Management, and together they are responsible for the delivery of the significant projects either owned directly by the LDF or by Parishes within the Diocese. The Asset Manager will contribute fully to the work of Department by fulfilling objective to make the most of the property assets as a missional tool for the Diocese of London. The Asset/Development Manager’s primary responsibility is to identify and implement value and income accretive asset management initiatives in respect of existing property holdings to maximise return, including but not limited to re-lettings, lease re-gears and renewals, obtaining planning consents, refurbishments, and disposals. This role offers an exciting opportunity to take on a high level of responsibility within a small team, and to influence strategic change in a historic organisation. Whilst the role has a commercial focus, it also offers the opportunity for greater career satisfaction knowing that you will be contributing to the charitable mission work of the Church of England in London. The ideal candidate will be MRICS and have some previous asset management experience. To maximise the development potential of land and property for the mission of the Church.
Responsibilities
Strategic • Seek out and exploit the maximum development potential of LDF and parish assets and other opportunities that would add value. • Clarify the brief for each project/opportunity with clearly defined outcomes, project plan, milestone dates and stakeholder. • Where appropriate and agreed, project manage the overall project. • Advise and guide parishes of the appropriate processes to adopt, the appointment of the professional team and support the parish as appropriate. • Provide professional advice when appropriate to parishes and colleagues. • Steer/co-ordinate the approval of projects through the Ecclesiastical approval processes. • Seek out and exploit the maximum development potential of LDF and parish assets and other opportunities that would add value. • Agree annual priorities with the JOT and deliver the agreed objectives.
Operational • Inform the development of appropriate levels of service, appropriate to the different customers and factoring in the relative degree of urgency required and deliver the agreed levels of service. • Participate in regular supervision meetings and annual appraisals, with an openness to learning & development and continuous improvement. • Contribute to the working of the department, covering for colleagues, where necessary, and sharing the workload at busy times. Development Management • Identify and implement value and income accretive asset management initiatives with the objective of maximising total returns, including but not limited to: - New lettings - Lease renewals and re-gears - Disposals - Refurbishments - Joint ventures - Obtaining planning consents • Prepare property-specific asset management plans and undertake hold-sell analysis. • Prepare development and investment appraisals in support of business plans to demonstrate financial risks and returns of recommended strategies.
• Appoint and manage external consultants as necessary to assist in identifying asset management opportunities and implementing strategies. • Coordinate, work with, and monitor the performance of appointed professional advisors including but not limited to managing agents, solicitors, valuers, planning consultants, insurance brokers, etc. • Ensure that neighbourly issues e.g., rights of light, party walls, noise, boundary disputes etc. and lease consents are managed appropriately. • Ensure appropriate insurance is in place. • Take responsibility for the risk register for each project. • Prepare reports for Diocesan Finance Committee (trustee body) approval to proposed transactions or major capital projects and attend and present at meetings if necessary. • Monitor emerging legislation which might impact on investment strategy and keep wider team updated. • Monitoring the respective performance of and outlook for the various property sectors to inform hold/sell decisions. • Provide occasional support and advice to the Operational Housing team and Parish Property Support team on commercial property issues including Landlord and Tenant matters.
• Work closely with property accountant and administrative support, as necessary. • Take part in regular supervision meetings and annual appraisals, with an openness to learning and development, and continuous improvement. Customer Service • Ensure client satisfaction. To be committed to listening and engaging with other points of view and ensure sure all customers are treated fairly and politely. • Work in accordance with, and to represent and communicate to customers and suppliers, the policies and principles that underpin all the work of the Property Department and underpin the department’s mission statement. • Proactively support parishes and be a point of contact for enquiries where appropriate. The postholder may be required to undertake any other duties that are commensurate with the role. Early morning, evening or weekend work may be required.
Person Specification
Essentials • Experience in budget management and signing authorities. • Previous development and asset management experience. • A proactive, creative and original strategic thinker, who can identify opportunities and develop strategies independently. • Varied commercial property experience across a broad range of property types and uses. • Up to date with Commercial Landlord and Tenant legislation. • MRICS • Knowledge of Charity Act law. • Experience in preparing investment and development valuations and appraisals including cash flows. • Thorough, effective user of IT. • Well-organized and administratively self-sufficient. • Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communications, and negotiation skills. • Demonstrates a good attention to detail.
Desirables • Experience overseeing the delivery of refurbishment projects. • Residential property asset management experience (in addition to commercial experience). • Experience of residential leasehold enfranchisement and lease extension valuations/procedures.
General Conditions
Standards of Behaviour and Conduct
Staff are expected to act at all times with due consideration for others and in a manner befitting their position as employees of the Church and as professionals, whatever their job.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
All LDF staff are required to ensure that they understand and accept the legal duties placed on them by the Health and Safety at Work Act not endanger themselves or others by any act or omission on their part and by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations to co-operate with colleagues and management in the control of health and safety at work. Therefore, staff are required to: • read, understand and abide by the LDF Health and Safety Policy; • make themselves familiar with accident and emergency procedures for their site; • inform their manager immediately of any health or safety deficiencies or dangerous situations or near misses; • set a good personal example in respect of health and safety.
Confidentiality
Staff must not pass on to unauthorised persons, any information obtained in the course of their duties without the permission of their line manager.
Benefits
Pension: The appointed person will be eligible to join the occupational pension scheme, which is currently 15% employer contribution and min 3% employee contribution
Health Insurance
Working Hours: 35 hours per week Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm with an unpaid hour for lunch. Season Ticket Loan: Staff are eligible to apply for an interest free season ticket loan. Annual Leave : 27 days increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
Diversity and Inclusion
We understand the benefits of employing individuals from a range of backgrounds, with diverse cultures and talents. We aim to create a workforce that: • values difference in others and respects the dignity and worth of each individual • reflects the diversity of the nation that the Church of England exists to serve • fosters a climate of creativity, tolerance and diversity that will help all staff to develop to their full potential We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and ensuring that all employees, job applicants, customers and other persons with whom we deal are treated fairly and are not subjected to discrimination. We want to ensure that we not only observe the relevant legislation but also do whatever is necessary to provide genuine equality of opportunity. We expect all of our employees to be treated and to treat others with respect. Our aim is to provide a working environment free from harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form which may affect the dignity of the individual. Equal treatment amongst differing people from diverse backgrounds is one of the central precepts of the Church of England’s mission and theology. The Church of England values the richness which this equal treatment brings to the workplace.
Key Dates
The Diocese of London is being supported on this recruitment campaign by the search consultancy The Management Recruitment Group (MRG). To arrange a confidential briefing conversation please contact our advisor Stephanie Howe (stephanie.howe@mrgpeople.co.uk) MRG on 0203 962 9900. Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV and a covering letter (of not more than 2 pages).
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