Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich
Historic Church Building Support Officer (HCBSO)
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Full-time (35 hours per week) although applications for part-time hours will be considered
Two-year fixed term contract
Salary £34,350 FTE per annum
Suffolk boasts an internationally significant legacy of historic church buildings. Along with that of Norfolk, they reputedly constitute the greatest concentration of medieval churches anywhere in northern Europe. Out of a total of 476 functioning churches, 50.8% are listed at Grade I and 37.2% are listed at Grade II*. Seven are classed as Major Parish Churches by the Church Buildings Council.
We are looking for a Historic Church Building Support Officer to help parishes and communities to care for and maintain their historic listed churches. With a proven knowledge of church architecture and a relevant degree, the successful candidate will establish effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders including Parish Church Council (PCC) officers and Church Wardens to guide, inform, boost capacity and morale to help them care for and maintain their historic listed churches, principally those on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk (H@R) Register. These buildings are not museums, they are living places of worship at the service of their communities and responsibility for their upkeep rests primarily on the shoulders of volunteers.
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Buildings for assistance will be identified primarily through the Heritage at Risk (H@R) Register published annually by Historic England (HE). This will also be one of the measures for performance and thus the postholder’s responsibilities will include ensuring that information in that source is kept up to date to reflect the situation on the ground and the progress achieved. The successful candidate will also have a successful track record of managing repair and conservation projects involving listed buildings and knowledge of heritage and community grant-funding resources, understanding of their priorities and experience of writing applications.
The role will involve desk-based work in the Diocesan offices in Ipswich and regular catch-ups will be held there with the DAC Secretary. The role will also involve a high degree of independent working, including frequent travel around the diocese and, on occasions, outside it. As such, a full UK driving license and access to a vehicle are essential.
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If you value historic churches and legacy conservation as much as we do, we would love to hear from you!
The DBF 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. All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory DBS check where required.
The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of the whole church. Everyone who participates in the life of the church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all.
Safeguarding is an integral part of the mission and ministry of the church in this diocese and is in line with our Growing in God strategy. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
For an informal conversation about the role, please email Edmund Harris, DAC Secretary or call 07394 568400.
Closing Date: Sunday 16 September 2026
Interview Date: w/c 28 September 2026
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