Director of Property

Director of Property

The Diocese of Oxford is seeking to make the influential appointment of Director of Property as part of its Senior Leadership Team.

The Diocese of Oxford is the administrative area of the Church of England that, broadly speaking, covers the three counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, covering 2,200 square miles. More than 50,000 people worship in 815 parish churches each week and make a significant impact across villages, towns, cities and the world in their daily discipleship and witness. This is more than any other diocese in the Church of England.

The Diocese of Oxford has a significant property and land portfolio valued in excess of £450m. Incorporated in the portfolio is 450 residential assets, of which circa 380 are occupied by clergy, the remainder are let on the open market on either short or long term basis returning an income to the organisation. Further commercial assets are held within the portfolio including corporate offices, retail and a small number of operational properties. The Diocese also owns 4,000 acres of land, some of which has been acquired on a strategic basis for future development. The Diocese has been prominent in delivering on an ambitious acquisition and disposal programme of circa £4m each year.

The Director of Property will ensure that the team continues to deliver a customer focussed property service to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including clergy, residential occupiers, colleagues, JV partners, consultants and the community.

With leadership responsibility for a team a of 15, the Director of Property will oversee a diverse range of duties through a dedicated team including: planned and preventative maintenance, project and development management, acquisitions and disposals, facilities management and property strategy. The Director of Property will also be critical to the delivery of the Diocese’s Environmental Action programme We have approved a £10 million expenditure on environmental works to improve the carbon footprint of vicarages, which will also reduce energy bills as part of better care for its clergy. The investment is part of an ambitious plan by the diocese to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2035.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the appointed candidate will have a proven track record in a senior estates or property management role, offering a highly commercial approach. As a Christian you will also have an understanding and personal interest in the mission and culture of the organisation.

This Director appointment offers the opportunity to have a direct impact on the lives of the clergy and local community whilst being responsible for a substantial and diverse property portfolio.

Further information and a copy of the candidate information pack can be found on the following link: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/728708135/

Whilst we welcome applications from people regardless of their background, we particularly encourage applications from women and those from ethnic minority backgrounds as they are currently under-represented within the organisation at this level.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 23rd October 2022.

MRG interviews to be held w/c 7th November 2022.

The assessment process will involve online informal meetings with the Diocese of Oxford on 21st November 2022.

Formal interviews with the Diocese of Oxford are scheduled, in person, for 29th November 2022.

To arrange a confidential briefing conversation please contact our advisor Stephanie Howe of The Management Recruitment Group on stephanie.howe@mrgpeople.co.uk.

Applications should consist of a CV and a covering letter and be sent to stephanie.howe@mrgpeople.co.uk and shoro.omotosho@mrgpeople.co.uk