Wells Cathedral
Job Description
POST:
CLERK OF THE WORKS (Fabric and Estate Manager)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Situated on the edge of the Mendip Hills in the County of Somerset, Wells is England’s
smallest city and built around the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Its picturesque
surroundings include a market square and high street, the Bishop’s Palace and the
magnificent Vicars Close, which is Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited street.
As well as maintaining the Fabric of the Gothic cathedral building, the Chapter (the principal
governing body) has responsibility for an Estate including the medieval Vicars’ Close, the
Dean’s Lodging and the modern houses currently occupied by four Canons. Whilst the
Cathedral is in generally good condition, there is an on-going need for maintenance and the
Cathedral Architect is due to complete a Quinquennial Inspection of the Cathedral in the
first half of 2013. This will inevitably provide focus and prioritisation to maintenance needs
of the Cathedral.
A major development programme was completed in 2009, which added extra facilities to
the Cathedral. However, during that programme, resources (money, staff and time) were
largely focused on the Cathedral which has meant that a backlog of work has built up in the
Estate. Many of these needs will be documented in a Quinquennial Inspection report on
the state of repair of Vicars’ Close that is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of
2013.
Much of the work on the Fabric of the Cathedral and the Estate is undertaken by an inhouse maintenance team (the “Yard” team) under the leadership of the Clerk of the Works.
Use is made of external contractors and it is likely that the scale of external resources
deployed will increase as the full programme of work on the Estate is defined. The
professional project management of all work is a key requirement of the Clerk of the Works.
KEY PURPOSE OF POST:
To establish, lead and deliver a formal programme of maintenance and improvement
projects for the high quality conservation and other work on the Fabric of the Cathedral and
Estate properties, engaging and managing third party contractors as required.
LOCATION: Wells Cathedral, Wells, Somerset BA5 2PA
REPORTING TO:
The Cathedral Administrator
HOURS OF WORK: Full-time
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
a) Being the default Project Manager for all works-related projects, working as necessary
with the Cathedral Architect and/or any other conservation architect appointed for work
on the Estate. This includes:
 Planning & programming the implementation of a set of defined improvement
projects that cover more significant alterations, repairs and refurbishments which
will typically have been identified in Quinquennial Inspections carried out by the
Cathedral Architect and/or any conservation architect for the Estate
 If necessary, preparing and inviting fee tenders from the architect(s), external
consultants and/or advisors for the detailed definition and specification of projects
 Designing & specifying designated alteration, repair and refurbishment works, using
architect(s), external consultants and/or advisors if necessary subject to approval for
external expenditure on these individuals
 Preparing or obtaining full cost estimates for projects
 Obtaining all necessary internal and external permissions and approvals to proceed
with project delivery
 Preparing and inviting tenders for projects
 Supervising and co-ordinating the activities of the appointed contractors and/or inhouse staff when deployed in implementing the approved projects.
 Monitoring and reporting project implementation according to quality, time and
cost.
b) Preparing an annual programme of Planned Maintenance making allowance for reactive
response to emergencies and issues
c) Preparing and being responsible for the annual maintenance budget
d) Ensuring that all maintenance requests and queries are addressed in an effective and
professional manner and within agreed time limits, incorporating them into the
maintenance programme following a full assessment of the requirements, costs and
resources and securing any necessary permissions
e) Reporting as required on progress against the maintenance programme to quality, time
and cost
f) Managing the Maintenance Team in accordance with current HR policies including
performance management, appraisal and development
g) Liaising with the Finance Department to ensure purchase orders are raised in a timely
manner and considered for payment promptly on receipt of invoices
h) Supporting fundraising activities in relation to the Fabric and Estate; this includes
providing information to support planning or funding applications.
i) Attending and reporting to the Cathedral's Fabric Advisory Committee (external) and
other internal committees as they exist from time to time and as required by the
Administrator
j) Taking on hands-on tasks as necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the
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Collaborating with other departments in the Cathedral and understanding the demands
of their work
Managing positive relationship with key stakeholders and advisors, including the
Cathedral Architect, Archaeologist and the Mendip Conservation Officer
Informing tenants, the City Council, the District Council and neighbours of key works
that affect them
Managing all aspects of health and safety in relation to the Cathedral, and associated
works. As Health and Safety Officer, ensuring health and safety remains a priority
throughout the Cathedral. Ensure H&S Information is current and relevant for all staff,
volunteers and others
Maintaining central registers for monitoring risk assessments, COSHH and asbestos
Ensuring plant and equipment is kept in good order, that health and safety, security and
fire systems are routinely checked and tested
Keeping drawings and records of work in progress and programmed
Any other duties which may reasonably be required by the Administrator
SCOPE OF POST (Budgetary/Resource Control, Impact):
There is an in-house maintenance team of four skilled craftsmen who report to the Clerk of
the Works. This is the Yard team.
The annual recurring expenditures budget for Fabric and the Estate, including Yard staff is
£200k. There is typically £50-100k spent on non-recurring fabric works and the nonrecurring project spend on the Estate is circa £100k but is expected to rise. More major
projects take place from time to time and the budget for these can be significantly higher
than these figures.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Key Criteria
Essential
Qualifications and A thorough understanding of
Experience
building regulations and legislation,
especially as they apply to listed
buildings
Appropriate building profession
qualification e.g. Surveyor, Quantity
Surveyor, Building Surveyor.
Experience of dealing with historic
buildings and their conservation.
Experience of working at a senior
level and supervising a team of
other professionals
Proven experience of managing
major projects
Skills and Abilities Project Management
Contractor procurement and
management
Excellent organisation skills and
ability to plan and prioritise
workloads to meet deadlines
Good attention to detail, and
commitment to delivery to high
standard of quality, on time and
within budget.
Professional and accountable
approach to work, with an ability to
manage multiple demands and
‘customer’ needs.
Good IT skills especially Excel, Word
and Outlook.
Excellent financial and record
keeping skills able to manage
multiple budgets and records.
Work-related
Able to manage and develop a team
Personal Qualities of skilled craftsmen
Able to work co-operatively with
colleagues of different disciplines
Good all round communication and
negotiation skills at all levels
including face to face, by phone or
in writing.
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Desirable
Some knowledge of church life
and the culture of the church as
an organisation
Membership of a professional
body is desirable.
Experience of working in the
church, public or charity sector
is desirable.
Experience in a specialist craft
Accredited in building
conservation
Use of Project Management
software such as MS Project
Practical orientation to
complement the Cathedral
Architect and other professional
advisers.
Main Terms and Conditions
Hours of Work
Full time
Core office hours are 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday with
a lunch break taken as appropriate.
Salary
Starting salary of £34,000
Pension
Defined Contribution Scheme. Contributions as % of salary:
Age
<50
Holiday
Employee Employer
2.5%
5%
50-55
4%
8%
>55
5%
10%
25 days per calendar year plus bank holidays.
The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.
Location
The Cathedral, Wells,
Expenses
All reasonable working expenses will be met in line with
Cathedral policy
Probation
This post will be subject to a probationary period of 6
months
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