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- Tasks: Lead the Ministry Development Team and shape church leadership across Birmingham.
- Company: Join the Church of England Birmingham, fostering community and spiritual growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive environment while growing your ministry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by cultivating resilient leaders for diverse church contexts.
- Qualifications: Ordained priest with strong leadership and theological grounding.
The predicted salary is between 56779 - 56779 ÂŁ per year.
The Director of Ministry is a senior leadership role within Church of England Birmingham. The postholder will lead the Ministry Development Team and play a central role in shaping the culture, strategy and systems through which leaders are raised, formed, deployed and sustained across the Diocese. Working closely with the Bishops, Archdeacons, Director of Mission and other senior leaders, the Director will ensure a coherent and strategic approach to the identification, formation, continuing development and flourishing of licensed, commissioned and authorised ministers — lay and ordained. This work will support the diocesan vision of growing churches at the heart of each community by ensuring that Birmingham has the leaders needed for spiritually alive, missionally confident and growing churches. As a member of the Bishop’s Staff Team, the Director will contribute to diocesan strategy and culture, participate in key strategic forums, and model prayerful, collaborative leadership. They will also play a vital role in building trust across traditions and contexts within the Diocese. Supported by national funding to develop a diocesan People Planning Strategy, the Director will help embed a culture that expects growth, calls forth vocation, and releases the gifts of God’s people with confidence. Grounded in Scripture and sustained by prayer, the role will help cultivate leaders who are resilient, pastorally wise and equipped to lead churches in mission across Birmingham’s diverse contexts.
The Director of Ministry will ensure that Church of England Birmingham:
- Raises up the right leaders in the right numbers
- Forms them well for the context and priorities of the Diocese
- Deploys them strategically where they are most needed
- Sustains them in lifelong learning, resilience and fruitful ministry
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership of the Ministry Pipeline
- Oversee the diocesan leadership pipeline from initial vocation through to retirement.
- Ensure clarity about the profile of leaders needed for the current mission context.
- Lead the implementation of key elements of the diocesan People Planning Strategy, particularly those relating to leader development and deployment capacity.
- Meet with and support the contribution of a number of Bishop’s Advisers who promote specific areas of ministry.
- Team Leadership and Development
- Lead and oversee the Ministry Development Team. This includes oversight of:
- Vocations and discernment (lay and ordained)
- Initial Ministerial Education (IME1 and IME2)
- Reader training and development
- Clergy Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD)
- Ministerial Development Review (MDR)
- Self‑Supporting Ministry
- Spirituality, wellbeing and ministerial flourishing
- Authorised and commissioned lay ministries
- Provide clear vision, leadership and accountability for the Ministry Development Team.
- Line manage team members including supervision, performance and development.
- Foster a collaborative, shared purpose and learning within the team.
- Work in close partnership with the Director of Mission to ensure alignment between mission strategy and leadership formation.
- Oversee development of formation pathways for lay and ordained leaders.
- Ensure theological robustness and contextual relevance.
- Work with Theological Education institutions and diocesan partners.
- Shape a coherent IME1‑IME2 pathway aligned with diocesan mission.
- Strengthen integration of theological formation, contextual training and ministerial identity.
- Support training incumbents and pathways into incumbency.
- Develop an integrated framework for authorised and commissioned lay ministries.
- Strengthen pathways for Readers, pastoral leaders and emerging ministries.
- Support and grow lay leaders who release and multiply local church leadership.
- Provide strategic oversight of vocations.
- Develop a culture of vocation across the Diocese.
- Strengthen processes for identifying and supporting leaders.
- Address barriers to vocations from under‑represented communities.
- Work with Bishops and Archdeacons on deployment strategy.
- Support transitions between roles and ministries.
- Oversee Ministerial Development Review (MDR), Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD), coaching and mentoring along with spiritual direction and wellbeing support.
- Ensure leaders are sustained in long‑term ministry whilst resilience, renewal and spiritual depth are cultivated.
Key Outcomes (First 3–5 Years)
- A clear vocational pathway from discernment to senior leadership;
- A strengthened pipeline of primary leaders;
- A Ministry Development Team aligned around a coherent approach to discernment, training, deployment and development;
- Integrated training frameworks for lay and ordained leaders;
- Improved strategic deployment;
- MDR and CMD driving lifelong growth;
- A deepened diocesan culture of vocation and leadership development.
Person Specification
- Committed and prayerful Christian with a deep love for the Church.
- Ordained priest of the Church of England with six or more years’ experience in ordained ministry.
- Strong theological grounding.
- Proven ability to lead and line manage teams.
- Strategic thinker able to work across complex systems.
- Ability to work across different traditions and church contexts.
- Strong communication and relational skills, with the ability to handle confidential and personal information with sensitivity and discretion.
- A demonstrated passion and experience for clergy and lay leadership development.
- Able to work flexible hours, including regular evening and weekend commitments.
- Works effectively across a wide range of church traditions and ministry styles.
- Experience of IME1/IME2 leadership and oversight.
- Experience of clergy deployment processes.
- Experience in urban or intercultural ministry.
- Postgraduate qualifications in (i) theology and ministry and/or (ii) adult education.
The Director of Ministry will be supported to pursue opportunities to further professional development and spiritual formation through conversation with the Bishop of Aston.
Terms and Conditions
- Line Manager: The Bishop of Aston
- Location: Diocesan Offices, Birmingham (with hybrid working available)
- Salary: ÂŁ56,779 per annum, with membership of the Clergy Pension Scheme
- Hours: Full-time
- Contract: Permanent (subject to 6‑month probation)
- Occupational Requirement: The post has a genuine occupational requirement to be a practising Christian in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work. We welcome applications from any individuals who feel that they meet the person specification for any post, in particular from those who are currently under‑represented in our staff teams such as those from Global Majority Heritage or UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQI+. The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment. All appointments to roles undertaking regulated activity are subject to pre‑appointment checks, including references and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check complete with barred list.
Director of Ministry in Birmingham employer: Cofebirmingham
Contact Detail:
Cofebirmingham Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Ministry in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the Church of England Birmingham community. Attend events, engage in discussions, and don’t be shy to reach out to current leaders. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to meet with decision-makers, let your enthusiasm for ministry shine through. Share your vision for leadership development and how you can contribute to the diocesan mission. Authenticity goes a long way!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by understanding the Diocese's culture and strategic goals. Familiarise yourself with their current initiatives and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and contributing to the growth of churches in Birmingham.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Ministry in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your passion for ministry and how your experiences have shaped you as a leader. Don’t be afraid to share personal stories that highlight your journey!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to align your application with the specific requirements of the Director of Ministry role. Highlight your relevant experience in leadership, team management, and vocational development. Show us how you can contribute to our vision at Church of England Birmingham!
Showcase Your Vision: We’re looking for someone who can shape culture and strategy. In your application, articulate your vision for ministry development and how you plan to foster growth within the Diocese. Let us know how you’ll support our mission of growing spiritually alive and missionally confident churches.
Proofread and Polish: Before hitting send, take a moment to review your application. Check for any typos or grammatical errors, and ensure your ideas flow well. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are key in this senior leadership role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cofebirmingham
✨Know Your Theology
As a candidate for the Director of Ministry, it's crucial to have a strong theological grounding. Brush up on key doctrines and be ready to discuss how they inform your leadership style and decision-making processes. This will show that you’re not just a leader but a spiritually grounded one.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Leadership
This role requires working closely with Bishops and Archdeacons, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your experience in fostering collaboration across different church traditions and contexts, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Vision for Growth
The Church of England Birmingham is focused on growing churches at the heart of communities. Be ready to articulate your vision for developing leaders and how you plan to implement the diocesan People Planning Strategy. Specific examples of past successes in leadership development will strengthen your case.
✨Prepare for Personal Reflection
Given the emphasis on spiritual depth and ministerial flourishing, expect questions about your own spiritual journey and how it shapes your leadership. Reflect on your experiences and be honest about your growth areas. This authenticity can build trust with the interview panel.