Director of Property & Estates
Diocese of Bristol
Full time (3 days per week in Bristol)
£65,000 - £70,000, plus pension and benefits
The Diocese ofBristol is the Church of England for over one million people living across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Wiltshire and Swindon. It covers a diverse and contrasting range of contexts and brings together over 200churches, 100 clergy homes, 70 church schools, a range of chaplaincies and networks of faithseeking to be a church for all people, in all places. Around 18,000 people worship regularly in our churches and 18,000 children and young peopleare educated in a church school.
As a diocese, we seek to support all those with positions of responsibility in these contexts, lay or ordained, voluntary or paid. We have a particular responsibility for over 200 ministers who hold an “ecclesiastical office”. The Bristol Diocesan Board of Finance (BDBF), theorganisation which supports the whole work of the Diocese, has about 70 employed staff in the Diocesan Support Services whose role is to ensure our ministers, parishes and schools are both thriving and active.
At the heart of our communities are the buildings we operate. From our beautiful historic churches and church halls to our schools, and vital clergy housing stock, we have responsibility for – or support those who do – some wonderful properties across the Diocese. Bristol Diocese has committed to reach Carbon Net Zero by 2030, and we are well on track despite the challenges that some of our properties pose.
This demanding role will lead on every aspect of property within the Diocese, and ensure that our critically important ‘places in every community’ are fit for purpose, and environmentally sustainable.
We are part way through our strategy (2023-2028), which envisages significant cultural and material change, and there are several critical objectives to which this role contributes or leads.
* Church buildings which serve our communities - Fulfilling the potential to better utilise our church buildings for mission, shared use, and social action. Ministerial wellbeing - Providing our clergy with comfortable well-maintained housing, so they can focus on mission. Achieve Carbon Net Zero - Taking the Diocese as a whole towards environmental sustainability.
We are seeking a highly credible leader to join the Senior Leadership Team, bringing senior-level property expertise and a proven record in strategic and operational leadership in complex, diverse environments. Sympathetic to the Church of England’s vision and values, you will have excellent interpersonal skills, build strong relationships, and work with flexibility and humility, embodying our values-driven culture.
This is a truly exhilarating time to be joining us, and a remarkable opportunity to use your skills to make a huge difference to people’s lives. If you have the right experience, are attracted to a challenge, and are prepared to lead our Diocese to the next level, we want to hear from you.
For full details of the role and how to apply, please click on theapply button below.
This role closes at 9am, Monday 22 September 2025.
#J-18808-Ljbffr