Our aim is for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

The Church of England is embarking on a new national vision and strategy for the 2020s. As Director for Ministry, you will lead the teams to ensure the Church is calling, selecting, forming, equipping and developing the ministers, ordained and lay, that it needs to deliver its vision and strategy for the 2020s and beyond. The team covers all stages of the “ministerial life-cycle” from initial discernment, through vocations, selection, training and formation, continuing ministerial development, clergy wellbeing during ministry, remuneration and conditions of service, leadership development, and retirement. The team is also responsible for the equivalent stages applying to the variety of lay ministries in the Church in so far as they are overseen and developed nationally.

As Director for Ministry, you will lead and continue to develop the team bringing together the existing Ministry team, and clergy HR and senior development functions.

You will prioritise the work of the team to manage key responsibilities within the budget. Establish a team culture that draws effectively on the skills and expertise of the different sub-teams coming together, to create a single team working as one, supporting the Church and its ministers to best effect.

Please upload your cover letter to the additional documents section of your application form (for more information about the cover letter, please see the information pack attached)

For an informal conversation about the role with Leann Dawson, Deputy Director of HR services, please contact via email: leann.dawson@churchofengland.org.

Closing date will be on Monday 17th April 2023.

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 2nd May 2023.

We offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.

The Role

• Sustain and encourage a healthy culture within the Ministry Team which is respectful of, supportive, and consonant with the distinctive Christian nature of the Church of England.

• Lead and build a unit which exemplifies the NCI values and behaviours and our inclusion and belonging commitments. Take a full role in shared senior leadership of cross-NCI priorities and initiatives.

• The Director is also responsible for other areas of Ministry work, which will include, prioritised as necessary:

• Continuing work on clergy wellbeing
• Implementation of the review of clergy remuneration; and continuing work on clergy HR issues
• A look at the nature of ordained ministry, with consideration of the case for strengthening professional standards etc.
• Engagement, as appropriate with ecumenical and para[1]church partners in matters of ministry.

Additional Responsibilities

The core work of the Ministry Team covers policy development, planning, operational support and engagement with partners across all stages of the ministry life-cycle, for both clergy and lay ministers in support of the Church’s Vision and Strategy. Some particular priorities during the first 1-2 years of the new team’s work will include:

• Advising on, agreeing, and then delivering a new national policy or target for vocations, as part of a set of overall planning assumptions for ministry numbers, in support of the national Vision and Strategy
• Embedding the shared discernment process, including online elements, to support new vocations to ordained ministry at a continuing high level
• Concluding a review of ministerial formation, agreeing its recommendations with the Archbishops’ Council and House of Bishops, with the support of dioceses and with engagement with the theological education sector, and beginning implementation of changes to reform the sector, in support of the vision and strategy
• Working with other teams to recommend, agree and then implement funding and other mechanisms to support planning assumptions for clergy and other ministers for the Church for the 2020s Rolling out RMF and overseeing conclusion of review
• Developing, implementing, and integrating the vision for, and practice of, lay ministry, and support for dioceses’ work to strengthen and make more of lay ministries
• Aligning and refining senior leadership development work so that it more clearly connects to other areas of ministry support, and directly supports the leadership needs of the vision and strategy.

• To provide visible leadership within the NCIs, particularly by enabling and supporting our commitments on belonging and inclusion and demonstrating accountability for promoting and maintaining our commitment to treat each other with respect.

• Manage the Archbishops’ Council’s budget for ministry issues, including Initial Ministerial Education (“Vote 1”), selection, senior leadership development and other strands.

The Requirements

Skills/Aptitudes:

• The stature and breadth of Christian vision and integrity to operate and command confidence at national level. Key to the role is the ability to hold both a local and a national perspective on ministry and to interpret each to the other.

• The commitment and temperament to work in partnership with and support of bishops, dioceses and parishes across the Church and all its traditions.

• A keen mind, well developed analytical skills and a strategic thinker, to translate abstract ideas and aspirations into implementation plans and delivery, and to win support for the plans.

• Ability to form strategy, to translate abstract ideas and aspirations into implementation plans and delivery, and to win support for the plans.

• Ability to lead a team by bringing together highly performing individuals, working together in a complex environment, whilst supporting deputies to build agile, engaged, inclusive, high performing teams at all levels.

Personal Attributes:

• A strong learning orientation that drives both personal and professional development.

• Possess credibility, authority and political aptitude to work with, inspire and challenge bishops, dioceses, Archbishops Council and Ministry Division.

• Personal resilience, with ability to prioritise effectively, with proven methods and support networks for maintaining personal wellbeing.

Knowledge / Experience:

• Proven, current experience in the theology and practice of ministry.

• Deep understanding of the Church of England, its opportunities, difficulties and culture.

• Experience of leading a team through changes and adopting new ways of working.

Circumstances:

• It is proposed that this post carries an occupational requirement to be a Communicant Anglican (in accordance with the Equality Act 2010). We would like applicants who are regular worshippers within the Church of England or Anglican Churches which are part of the Anglican Communion.

• Must be able to travel to dioceses, possibly out of office hours, potentially up to once or twice a month, (though following Government public health guidance as needed).

Education:

• Degree or equivalent.

• Sufficient education in theology to be credible with stakeholders and partners.

In the National Church Institutions (NCIs), we support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. We work with parishes, dioceses, schools, chaplaincies and other ministries, and with national and international partners including mission agencies, and other denominations and faith groups.-.

Find out more about working for the National Church Institutions at Careers | The Church of England

Our NCI values

• We strive for excellence
• We collaborate
• We act with integrity
• We show compassion
• We respect others

We welcome everyone and we accept and value people for who they are and what they contribute, treating others in the way we would wish to be treated ourselves. We actively listen to and include others, encouraging and enabling everyone’s voice to be heard in discussions and decisions. When we disagree, we aim to disagree well with respect and kindness.

We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you. If there is anything we can do to support you in your application please get in touch via email to hr.recruitment@churchofengland.org.

• As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.
• We are a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.