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Head of Buildings and Capital Projects
Vacancy Reference cofe/TP/2808/8809
Introduction
The Diocese of Blackburn’s Board of Education is responsible for supporting and developing church schools within the diocese. It plays a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing the Christian character of these schools while ensuring high-quality education. In addition to its primary focus on church schools, the Board of Education also extends its support to Children and Youth Ministry across the diocese and provides chaplaincy services in universities.
Main Functions
- Overseeing and supporting church schools in the diocese
- Promoting Christian values and distinctiveness in education
- Providing guidance on Religious Education (RE) curriculum
- Assisting with school governance and leadership
- Supporting school improvement initiatives
- Supporting Children and Youth Ministry across the diocese
- Providing chaplaincy services in universities
Key responsibilities
Strategic Oversight:
- Provide leadership in managing building and capital projects across the diocese, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
- Oversee work delivered by external consultants and administrators, ensuring timely and accurate completion of tasks.
- Support the Director of Education on legal matters related to land transfers, property sales, and trust deed compliance.
Audit and Financial Administration:
Conduct annual audits of individual schools' Barchester Accounts and Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) Accounts. Issue clear statements to schools detailing their accounts and project allocations.
- Reconcile project files upon finalisation, ensuring all invoices are retained for audit purposes. Manage adjustments for underspends or overspends within school accounts.
- Monitor the Board of Education Bank Account to track grant funding and school payments. Chase payments where necessary.
Insurance Brokerage:
- Act as an insurance broker for schools, liaising with insurance companies regarding claims and ensuring efficient arrangements for coverage. Periodically review insurance policies to ensure cost-effectiveness.
- Provide brokerage services for other dioceses as needed, supported by administrative staff.
Land, Buildings, and Trusts:
- Offer advice on land ownership inquiries and trustee responsibilities. Ensure trustees understand their obligations under trust deeds.
- Assist in completing the Land and Building Collection Tool for academy trusts while protecting church land interests.
- Facilitate land transfers during school conversions to academy status and assist with property sales as required.
School Trust Funds:
- Administer School Trust Funds to ensure proper use while preserving capital as an income source. Liaise with governors on fund utilisation.
Financial Management of Capital Projects:
- Ensure approved formal written requests for capital building projects in VA schools to meet statutory requirements. Process payment requests efficiently from schools and consultants while monitoring project budgets closely.
- Advise on overspend situations and manage shifts in SCA allocations between projects as needed. Ensure compliance with funding timelines (e.g., SCA two-year expenditure rule).
Record Keeping:
- Maintain accurate records for DFC allocations, SCA funds, project expenditures, funding streams, and audit trails for all capital projects. Ensure reconciliation of accounts annually (e.g., March 31).
- Store closed project files systematically for future reference.
Advice, Liaison, and Communication:
- Liaise with buildings consultants, contractors, local authorities, and schools to ensure effective communication regarding transactions and compliance matters (e.g., VAT rules).
- Attend internal meetings, sub-committee meetings of the Board of Education, regional building officer meetings, and national forums as required.
How to apply
For a full job description, including responsibilities, person specification, terms and conditions and how to apply, please visit General vacancies | The Diocese of Blackburn.
Interview date: 22 July 2025
Diversity - The Diocese of Blackburn believes that diversity enables us to thrive and develop and is committed to race equality, welcoming applications from UK Minority Ethnic/ Global Majority Heritage backgrounds
The Diocese of Blackburn is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.