This is a post funded by the Church Commissioners of the Church of England through their Buildings for Mission funding. The initial funding runs until June 2026 and the Commissioners have confirmed intent for funding for a further three years, which is expected to be finalised at the start of 2026.
The Church Buildings Support Officer (CBSO) is a member of the Right Buildings team, based at St James’ House in Liverpool, and supports parishes across the Diocese in caring for their church buildings and halls.
The current Right Buildings team are primarily focused on supporting churches within the Fit for Mission programme of strategic transformation and the CBSO role will work with churches both engaged with Fit for Mission and those not.
Main Purpose
The CBSO post will report to the Head of Buildings Project Management who leads the Right Buildings team, working across all church buildings in the Diocese.
CBSO Main Purposes Will Include
- Support parishes in caring for their church buildings and planning repair and development projects.
- Advise on the development of churches, options for the introduction of new facilities and making churches more accessible for new missional opportunities.
- Manage the Minor Repairs and Improvements and Net Zero Quick Wins Grant schemes.
- Work alongside the Net Zero 2030 Lead to deliver a range of works across the Diocese to meet Net Zero 2030 assist in the delivery of the Church Buildings Management Partnership Pilot in each delivery area.
- Signpost parishes to colleagues for assistance with permissions, fundraising and finance and governance issues, and flag up key guidance on topics relating to building conservation, the development of church buildings, Net Zero, and insurance and health and safety.
- Prepare the ground for future locally-led, strategic reviews of Right Buildings with those deaneries and parishes still to participate in Fit for Mission.
- Advise and assist parishes on compliance with building best practice and legislation.
The post holder will comply with all standards, policies and procedures set by the Diocese including, but not limited to, those governing safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality, Net Zero Carbon, Racial Justice and Equal Opportunities.
The post holder will travel around the Diocese to meet with people, hear their plans and see their amazing spaces, whether it is a church in Liverpool City Centre or a small rural parish the post holder will cover them all.
The post holder may occasionally be required to work outside normal office hours including occasional weekend working, lieu subject to time off in.
The Diocese is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holder will share that commitment.
The post holder will undertake other relevant duties as may be requested from time to time and commensurate with the role.
Beyond this CBSO will receive usual support and supervision, focusing on performance objectives/targets whilst maintaining good work-life balance and having effective options for building resilience and sharing work related problems and difficulties within the team.
Beyond the Diocese the CBSO will be included in a wider network of CBSOs across England, gaining access to regular meetings, information, meet ups and a national conference. Allowing for the sharing of best practice and share experiences in the role.
For further details and person specification please see attached recruitment pack.
