The Church of England
Building Surveyor – Church Planting and Revitalisation
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Role Summary
Job Title: Building Surveyor – Church Planting & Revitalisation
Department: Property Team
Reports To: Director of Property
Contract: Fixed Term – Four Years
Salary: £44,000
Location: Diocese-wide with regular site visits
Purpose of the Role
To act as the lead professional Building Surveyor for Church Planting and Revitalisation projects across the Diocese, providing technical advice, condition assessment, defect diagnosis, statutory compliance support, heritage consultation and project delivery expertise.
The postholder will be responsible for ensuring that buildings are suitable, sustainable and legally compliant while supporting the mission and strategic objectives of Church of England Birmingham.
Background to the Role
Church of England Birmingham (CofEB) is on a journey of growing churches at the heart of every community. Through this we are seeing growth in many exciting ways and have recently been awarded over £17.8m for the latest phase of our strategy from the national church. A key theme within our strategy is Church Planting and Revitalisation. This is where we either start new churches in communities that need them or breathe new life into existing churches that are struggling. Buildings are normally key. We either need to buy buildings and retrofit them or update our existing buildings for this purpose.
We need a property professional. They will be part of our Property Team and be dedicated to working on the property elements of our church plants and revitalisations. Each Church Plant, or Revitalisation is its own separate project within CofEB and this role will lead on the property elements of these projects under the project governance already in place (normally a steering group chaired by a representative of the Mission Support Team under the remit ultimately of our Executive Board).
Key Elements Of This Role Include
- Managing a range of building improvement projects from very small to quite large from conception to completion.
- Stakeholder management and communications so that plans are formed and delivered collaboratively.
- Submitting applications to Birmingham Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC), on behalf of parishes, to gain permission for property improvements.
- Working with internal teams, predominantly Mission Support and the Project Management Office, to ensure projects are delivered holistically and in line with funder expectations.
- Supporting Directors, Archdeacons and others to develop the property elements of future strategic plans. This will mean providing advice and technical knowledge to support the creation of costed concepts that will be used to secure the funding required for a project.
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Reporting Relationships and Governance
Reporting Structure
Director of Property
↓
Building Surveyor
↓
External Consultants, Contractors and Surveying Specialists
The role will meet monthly with the Director of Strategic Transformation who will assign new projects as they come on stream and act as the primary liaison between our church planting and revitalisation strategy and this role.
Key Internal Relationships
- Director of Property
- Mission Support Team
- Project Management Office
- Executive Board
- Archdeacons
- Parish Representatives
- Project Steering Groups
Key External Relationships
- Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)
- Local Authority Planning Officers
- Conservation Officers
- Building Control Bodies
- Professional Consultants
- Contractors
- Grant Funders
The Building Surveyor will act as the technical lead for all property workstreams operating within established governance arrangements for Church Planting and Revitalisation projects.
Heritage and Ecclesiastical Buildings
A significant proportion of the portfolio comprises historic and listed church buildings. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with heritage assets of exceptional architectural, cultural and community significance.
Responsibilities Will Include
- Advising on repair and adaptation of listed buildings.
- Preparing supporting information for heritage-related applications.
- Liaising with conservation officers and DAC advisers.
- Balancing heritage significance with modern missional and community requirements.
- Supporting parishes in understanding conservation obligations and opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
Building Surveys and Technical Assessment
- Undertake or commission condition surveys.
- Undertake defect diagnosis.
- Carry out building inspections and audits.
- Advise on suitability of properties for future use.
- Prepare technical reports and recommendations.
- Assess maintenance liabilities.
- Advise on lifecycle and preventative maintenance strategies.
Development of Building Improvement Projects
- Prepare schedules of work.
- Develop technical specifications.
- Produce budget estimates.
- Support funding applications.
- Develop option appraisals.
- Assist in acquisition and adaptation assessments.
- Advise on procurement routes.
Statutory Approvals and Faculty Applications
- Lead Faculty application processes.
- Submit DAC documentation.
- Coordinate planning applications.
- Coordinate Listed Building Consent applications.
- Liaise with Building Control.
- Consult Conservation Officers.
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Why join us?
- Work across one of the most diverse property portfolios in the region.
- Manage projects involving heritage, community and modern buildings.
- Apply professional surveying skills in a highly autonomous role.
- Influence strategic property decisions at diocesan level.
- Develop expertise in church, heritage and community property.
- Make a lasting difference to communities across Birmingham.
- Play a key role in growing churches at the heart of every community.
Person Specification
Essential
- Building Surveying qualification or equivalent.
- Relevant experience preferable.
- Condition surveys and inspections.
- Defect diagnosis.
- Specifications and schedules of work.
- Building Regulations knowledge.
- Planning and statutory compliance.
- Consultant management.
- Cost estimating and tender evaluation.
- Health & Safety knowledge.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to travel across the Diocese.
DESIRABLE
- MRICS Building Surveyor.
- Listed building experience.
- Ecclesiastical buildings experience.
- Faculty jurisdiction knowledge.
- Contract administration.
- Planned maintenance experience.
- Church of England understanding.
Salary And Benefits
- Salary: £44,000 per annum plus a comprehensive benefits package including:
- 12% employer pension contribution
- 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- 3 additional Diocesan Discretionary Days
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities where operationally appropriate
- Opportunities for specialist professional development within heritage and ecclesiastical property
Closing Date for Applications: 31st July 2026
Interviews to be held in person on: 14th August 2026
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work.
We welcome applications from any individuals who feel that they meet the person specification for any post, in particular from those who are currently under-represented in our staff teams such as those from Global Majority Heritage or UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQI+.
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment.
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