Conservation jobs
About the Church Commissioners
Established in 1948, The Church Commissioners works to support the Church of England's ministry.
The main aspects to the work of the Church Commissioners are as follows:
Managing the endowment fund
The Investments team of c. 85 colleagues manages the Church's permanent endowment fund. This £11.1 billion fund (as at 31st December 2024) is one of the largest in the country and has its origins in Queen Anne's Bounty, which was established in 1704.
The fund represents a diverse investments portfolio, which is managed with a strong focus on responsible and ethical investments that enable the funding support for the Church of England to grow in line with agreed investment return targets.
Church-Facing Commissioner Teams
There are three Church-facing Commissioner Teams:
- The Church Buildings team of c. 35 colleagues supports dioceses and parishes with the care, conservation and development of historic church buildings, advises on permissions for changes to church buildings and provides guidance on architectural and heritage matters. It helps churches adapt for worship and community use and works with government to advise on policies that affect church buildings;
- The Mission & Pastoral Services team of c. 10 colleagues supports the creation, merger and closure of parishes and benefices. It oversees the adjustment of parish boundaries, supports dioceses on the legal framework for pastoral change, and handles the legal steps when a church building is no longer required for public worship, including finding suitable alternative uses or disposal;
- The Bishoprics & Cathedrals team of c. 40 colleagues advises on the provision of suitable housing and office accommodation for diocesan bishops and archbishops, funding bishops' working costs, and supporting cathedrals in their governance and sustainability. It also oversees , the historic library and record office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and the main archive for the documentary history of the Church of England.
Central Support and Governance
Overall, there are c. 10 colleagues in the Central support and governance team:
- The Commissioners' Secretariat team supports the Chief Executive, senior trustees and Board in all aspects of their governance;
- The Engagement Manager is responsible for working closely with a wide variety of Commissioners' teams to help ensure that the Church Commissioners has effective engagement with a wide variety of Stakeholders;
- The Strategic Programme management team varies in size depending on the strategic projects currently underway (see below for further details).
Church of England Central Services (ChECS)
The Church Commissioners is supported by a number of key enabling teams which are part of the Church of England Central Services. This NCI consists of Finance, Assurance, Technology, Data, Project Management, Communications and Legal teams. The ChECS team is c. 150 colleagues.
The Church Commissioners is accountable to Parliament, General Synod and, as a registered charity, to the Charity Commission. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the Commissioners' Chair and the current Deputy Chair is the Bishop of Salisbury. Three of the Commissioners' trustees are known as Church Estates Commissioners (CECs), who will be key stakeholders for this role. The First CEC chairs the Assets (investment) Committee and the Second CEC is an MP who helps exercise accountability to Parliament. Both are appointed by HM The King on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Third CEC chairs committees that oversee the work of the Church-facing Commissioner Teams and is appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Director of Strategy and Engagement has direct responsibility for Central Support and Governance, comprising the Commissioners' Secretariat (4 colleagues), the Engagement Manager and the Strategic Programme Management team (c. 5 colleagues). Additional Strategic Programme team members may be added as further strategic projects are commissioned.
Strategic focus
- Support the Chief Executive and Board with the development, articulation and delivery of the Commissioners' strategic business plan to enable it to support the mission and ministry of the Church of England, engaging widely and authentically in so doing;
- Act as a close adviser and sounding board for the Chief Executive and leadership team, ensuring the provision of accurate and timely advice, briefings and presentations;
- Assist in developing and delivering plans and projects to give life to the business plan.
Communications and stakeholder engagement
- Advise on, and support, stakeholder engagement. Develop and implement engagement and communications strategies for key stakeholders and leaders, e.g., bishops, parliamentarians, dioceses and General Synod (the Church's legislative and deliberative body). This includes major projects and programmes of work and liaison with the Communications team;
- Champion the views of key stakeholders and beneficiaries within the Commissioners, helping to ensure that business plans and projects reflect the perspectives of the wider Church.
Project support
- Manage complex or sensitive strategic projects and issues, thinking through the consequences of those projects, decisions and communications, including considering reputation matters.
- Facilitate the implementation of change plans, working closely with the Commissioners' leadership team and other NCI executive team colleagues.
- Support the implementation of cross-NCI programmes from the Commissioners' perspective;
- Use the Project and Programme Methodology adopted by the Church Commissioners and participate in current project governance structures - working with the PMO to continue to improve this.
Provide leadership and support to project teams, including:
- the Programme Spire team (which is managing a multi-year research programme to understand and respond to the charity's historic links to African chattel enslavement);
- any changes to the organisational structure for the Church Commissioners, ensuring they are provided with appropriate performance targets and support. This should be done working closely with the appropriate Finance and People teams.
Leadership and wider context
- Keep up to date with current events, trends and concerns which might affect the work of the Commissioners, NCIs and the wider Church;
- Support the wider Church as a senior leader, contributing to the development of the NCIs. Draw connections between operational activities in different teams, and with other NCI activities where appropriate.
- A salary of c.£95,000 plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.
- 30 days annual leave plus eight bank holidays three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time).
- We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. This is looked at in a case-by-case scenario and if this fits within the department's needs. We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
- We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.
- Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK's leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.
- Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
- Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
- Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.
- Strive for Excellence
- Show Compassion
- Respect others
- Collaborate
- Act with Integrity
Registered Charity
101 - 500
The Church of England’s vocation is and always has been to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ afresh in each generation to the people of England.
Thank you!
In Spring 2028, the National Gallery will launch a new, public-facing Research Centre to facilitate and showcase our world-leading research in the history and science of painting. This will be a complex space sitting at the intersection of multiple valued research stakeholders both within and beyond the Gallery, including the Gallery’s own wide array of research-active staff, our Artists-in-Residence, specialist users of our extensive Library & Archive collections, and a research-engaged general public attending events and consulting materials.
We are now recruiting for a new role, a Research Centre Manager, to support in the creative planning and daily delivery of an exceptional experience at the Research Centre. The role-holder will provide vital clarity and consistency in the day-to-day running of this multifaceted space to ensure a smoothly functioning whole. This includes coordinating all aspects of the Research Centre operations, managing staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, and maintaining the Research Centre facilities and administration. They will also think creatively about the Centre’s different spaces and, alongside Gallery colleagues, will help produce exciting research programming.
An ideal candidate will have experience in a comparable multifaceted role, and will bring to the Gallery strong leadership, excellent communication, creative programming, innovative problem-solving, and strong organisational skills to manage both day-to-day operations and strategic planning for the Centre.
This is a full time, permanent position and requires on-site working 5 days per week.
Applications closing date is 2nd January at 23:30hrs.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Harris Hill is proud to be partnering with the Community Land Trust Network to recruit a New Business, Partnerships and Innovation Manager — an exciting opportunity to join a highly respected national charity championing land justice, community ownership and social equity.
About the Role
Accountable to: Chief Executive Officer
Salary: £45,200–£55,200 (depending on skills and experience)
Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract, with potential to become permanent
Working Hours:
· 3 days / 21 hours per week (with reduced duties), or
· 4 days / 28 hours per week
Working pattern negotiable
Location: Remote/home-based
This newly created role will play a pivotal part in expanding the charity’s income and influence. You will:
- Lead on new business development, nurturing existing supporters and securing new partnerships with developers, housing associations, local authorities, funders and other stakeholders.
- Shape and grow their consultancy and service offer, helping reduce reliance on grant funding.
- Support the roll-out of their Growth Lab, working with practitioners and community groups to develop innovative models, products and services for Community Land Trusts.
- Capture insights, impact and learning to strengthen the case for scaling these innovations.
- Work closely with the CEO on funding proposals, partnership development and strategic initiatives.
This role offers variety, influence and the chance to help shape a major area of the charity’s future work. The team operates fully remotely, with a warm, collaborative culture and a strong focus on wellbeing.
About You
They are looking for someone who:
- Has experience in partnerships, business development, philanthropy or account management — and enjoys turning opportunities into long-term relationships.
- Communicates with clarity, confidence and professionalism across sectors including business, charity, local government and community groups.
- Is entrepreneurial, proactive and excited by innovation and co-creation.
- Shares a commitment to social justice, equity and community-led change.
Key Dates
- Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026
- Interviews: Week commencing 12th January 2026
How to Apply
Please email Hannah Laking at Harris Hill to request the full job pack, or you can download it directly from this advert. If you’d like to learn more about the role, you’re welcome to book a call with Hannah. Alternatively, you can simply send your CV and supporting statement which must follow the structure outlined in the job pack before the closing date, and Hannah will get in touch.
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
