Church Care and Development Manager (DAC Secretary)

Overview

The Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (the DAC) is a statutory body integral to the Church of England’s exemption from some secular buildings control. Its principal role is to advise the chief legal officer of the diocese (the chancellor) on the merits of works to church buildings. The DAC also provides advice to parochial church councils (PCCs) in order to help maintain and enhance the significance of churches, and develop them to reflect missional needs. This is likely to need site visits (individually as well as with members of the DAC) in order to streamline processes and, more importantly, to offer assistance to PCC volunteers.

Introduction

To act as Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee and, with the Church Care and Development team, to efficiently manage the implementation of the work of the committee. This is carried out by processing all casework through the Online Faculty System. In addition, the postholder should ensure that, assisted by the DAC’s advisers, the team provides a high level of advice and support to parishes in caring for and developing their church buildings in order to become open and sustainable as places of worship. If such sustainability cannot be achieved, the team needs to work towards finding an alternative lasting solution. Finally, to provide general support to the work of the diocese regarding church buildings and churchyards.

Main Responsibilities

• To liaise with the DAC chair and Vice-chair, DAC members, Archdeacons, Diocesan Registrar, PCCs and their professional advisors on matters relating to faculties and the maintenance of church buildings.
• To manage the workstreams of the DAC ensuring that meetings are serviced, decisions communicated, and advice issued.
• To monitor the composition of the DAC and to ensure it meets the requirements of its constitution and appropriate legislation.
• To manage the DAC budget.
• To manage the work of the team and to delegate the work of the department as required.
• With other members of the team, to deal with queries regarding church buildings and to help PCCs through the necessary procedures (faculty and Lists A and B).
• To continually develop and improve the administrative systems of the team
• To manage casework through the Online Faculty System.
• To ensure that the team resources site visits.
• To ensure that the DAC and PCCs are kept up to date with relevant legislation.
• To act as a facilitator for occasional training seminars on topics of current concern and to attend appropriate conferences.
• To develop and maintain relationships with key partners and liaise with heritage bodies in connection with the work of the DAC.
• To participate in the re-imagining of our relationship with our built heritage.
• To assist with building aspects of missionary success in the diocese.
• To identify strategic opportunities for programmes developing the use or occasional repurposing of parish churches.
• To manage the work of the Diocesan Churches Trust and participate in the development of future initiatives.
• Undertake such other reasonable duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.

The Ideal Candidate

Knowledge & Skill:

• Knowledge of and interest in mission, worship, church architecture and historic buildings, and of the relevant legislation and structures of the Church of England.
• An understanding of mission and the role of buildings as help or hindrance
• Excellent communication skills, written, verbal and presentational
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with people at all levels
• Ability to work with professional advisors
• Experience of Committee work, including preparation of agendas and minutes and presentation of papers, both orally and in writing
• Excellent IT skills, using Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel
• Good attention to detail, accuracy and thoroughness in all aspects of the work, good record keeping skills and the ability to work methodically
• Calmness under pressure

Qualifications & Experience:

Essential

• Experience of managing a high performing team

Desirable

• ​Education to degree level or equivalent
• Qualifications relevant to the care of churches, mission, worship or theology
• Membership of relevant professional body