District Property Secretary

Do you have a working knowledge of property and land and their use and maintenance?

Do you have a desire to help the Methodist Church fulfil mission and ministry through the effective, innovative, and sustainable use of our properties?

If so, we are keen to hear from you .

The Role

The North West England Methodist District (NWED) is seeking to appoint an additional District Property Secretary. The role is home-based, with travel throughout the District. The District Property Secretaries will work in collaboration with the churches and circuits and provide oversight of the properties owned by the District. The post holders will provide support and assistance to a range of stakeholders on property-related matters, in the context of Methodist Church governance.

NWED covers the geographical areas of Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and parts of Cheshire and Derbyshire. Within this are inner city, industrial, post-industrial, suburban, and rural areas - no two towns are the same.

The District embraces a rich breadth and variety of theological perspectives and worship styles. A range of fresh expressions of Church (messy church, café church, arts-based projects, digital spaces etc.) are nurtured without neglecting the other, more traditional, expressions and all are equally valued.

We exist primarily to advance the mission of the Methodist Church in our District by supporting churches and circuits (a circuit is a group of churches served by a team, including one or more ministers). The District seeks to support each circuit and church to meet the needs of their members and the communities in which they serve, offering opportunities to worship, work and learn together.

Job Purpose and Objectives

This is one of two District Property Secretary roles in NWED. The District Property Secretaries will be the first point of contact for members of the District on all matters relating to property.

Using their knowledge of land and buildings and their use and maintenance, in addition to knowledge of governance in the Methodist church context, the post holders will ensure a coherent and holistic approach to property across the District.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide advice to churches and circuits on property-related matters
• Work with colleagues, including ministers and lay members of the circuits and churches within the District, to maximise utilisation of property and land across the District for mission and income generation, in line with Connexional property strategy
• Support with selling properties
• Collaborate with colleagues on seeking alternative opportunities for mission or income generation
• Provide guidance on potential grant opportunities
• Provide support with the instruction of professional advisors and contractors and liaise with surveyors as necessary
• Provide advice and support to ensure projects are delivered effectively and in compliance with relevant standards and legislation
• Support the management of the consents process
• Advise the consent giving body of the District regarding property projects and the feasibility of District grants
• Provide support on the use of the online consents system
• Oversee the submission of annual returns
• Provide oversight of quinquennial inspections
• Ensure inspections are undertaken in a timely manner
• Ensure action points are followed up
• Collate copies of returns
• To assist in the development and continual review of the District Development Plan for property
• Ensure work is in line with the requirements of relevant bodies and legislation
• The Methodist Standing Orders and Connexional Team (including as a member of the Connexional Property Group)
• Maintain the District relationship with TMCP and action any correspondence as required
• Report at District Policy Committee/Synod as required

Terms and Conditions

• Terms of appointment: Permanent.
• All reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• 33 days (231hrs) annual leave entitlement per year, including public holidays.
• There is a contributory pension scheme to which eligible lay employees will be auto-enrolled. Lay employees who do not meet the auto-enrolment criteria are eligible to join the scheme subject to certain provisions.
• Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) disclosure.
• Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references.
• Appointment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of up to three-month probationary period.
• Opportunities for study and for training.
• The North West England District is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment, inclusion and equality, and promoting the welfare of the communities served. There is a District commitment to creating and supporting the implementation of the Justice, Dignity and Solidarity strategy (implemented at the 2021 Methodist Conference). As such, the successful candidate will be subject to safer recruitment pre-employment checks and be required to complete relevant training in the course of their probationary period.

Salary: £38,000 - £42,000

Hours: 35hrs per week, including some evening and weekend working

Location: Home-based, with some travelling required

Find out more:

Please download the full job description and person specification, along with the application form from the NWED website. Application by CV is not accepted.

The application closing date is midnight on 30th November, 2025.