Head of Growing Younger

Church of England Birmingham believes that children, young people and families should be at the heart of the life and mission of every church.

While some churches are seeing significant fruitfulness amongst younger generations, many have little or no meaningful engagement with children and young people. Church of England Birmingham is committed to changing that picture.

We are seeking a strategic leader of change who can work alongside local leaders to help churches engage, disciple, and nurture children, young people and families so that more of them encounter, follow and grow in Jesus Christ.

The Head of Growing Younger will provide strategic leadership for Growing Younger across Church of England Birmingham. Working with clergy, lay leaders, schools, children and youth practitioners and diocesan colleagues, the postholder will help create the conditions in which churches of every tradition, size and context can engage more effectively with younger generations.

This is not primarily a specialist children’s or youth ministry role. We are seeking an experienced leader who understands how churches, organisations and systems change. The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of enabling significant growth amongst children and young people, particularly beyond the existing church community. They will be able to demonstrate how their leadership has enabled sustainable change, developed leaders, built effective teams, and delivered measurable outcomes.

Working closely with the Director of Mission, the postholder will help shape the next phase of Church of England Birmingham’s Growing Younger strategy and oversee Diocesan Investment Programme (DIP) projects that contribute to the growth of new disciples, new leaders and new worshipping communities. They will lead and develop a Growing Younger team and establish effective systems, partnerships and interventions that support local churches to engage younger generations more confidently and fruitfully.

The successful candidate will be willing to challenge assumptions, evaluate existing approaches honestly and reshape activity where necessary, ensuring that time, energy and resources are focused on interventions that contribute most effectively to sustainable growth amongst children and young people.

Reporting to the Director of Mission and working closely with the Head of Parish Growth and Head of Church Planting & Revitalisation, the postholder will help deliver a joined‑up approach to mission, discipleship and church growth across Church of England Birmingham.

This role is ultimately about helping churches become places where children, young people and families are a normal and growing part of church life, so that more young people across Birmingham and the wider region encounter, follow and grow in Jesus Christ.

Context

Church of England Birmingham is committed to seeing churches grow at the heart of every community. The growth of younger generations is a critical part of that vision.

This challenge requires more than programme delivery. It requires cultural change, leadership development, intentional mission and a renewed commitment to reaching younger generations beyond the walls of existing church communities.

Church of England Birmingham has developed a range of training, resources and support programmes to equip churches in ministry with children, young people and families. The next phase of this work will require a sharper focus on identifying which approaches genuinely contribute to sustainable growth and how learning can be translated into lasting change across local churches.

We are looking for a leader who can build on what is working, learn from what is not, and make difficult decisions where necessary. This role requires the courage to rethink established approaches, discontinue activity that is not delivering meaningful impact, and champion new models that enable more children and young people to encounter, follow and grow in Jesus Christ.

The Mission Support Team is structured around three interconnected areas of focus: Parish Growth, Church Planting & Revitalisation, and Growing Younger. Together these form a joined‑up approach to supporting healthy, sustainable growth across Church of England Birmingham.

Role

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a coherent strategy for Growing Younger that increases engagement with children, young people and families across Church of England Birmingham’s churches, schools and communities.
• Work with the Director of Mission to shape and oversee Diocesan Investment Programme (DIP) projects that contribute to the growth of new disciples, new leaders and new worshipping communities.
• Ensure that Growing Younger initiatives, resources and investment are aligned to measurable missional outcomes and sustainable growth rather than participation alone.
• Identify barriers to growth, champion innovation and develop interventions that help churches engage younger generations more effectively.
• Identify, develop and support fresh expressions, new worshipping communities and pioneering approaches that engage younger generations.
• Ensure Growing Younger contributes to wider priorities around mission, discipleship and church growth.

Team Leadership

• Lead, develop and grow the Growing Younger team.
• Line‑manage the Growing Younger Adviser and any future team members, supporting them in delivering projects that lead to fruitfulness.
• Create a healthy, prayerful and high‑performing team culture.
• Provide coaching, support and accountability for team members.
• Ensure resources are deployed effectively to support diocesan priorities.
• Model collaborative leadership and contribute positively to the wider Mission Support Team.

Change and Capacity Building

• Coach and support clergy, lay leaders and churches to develop effective approaches to engaging, discipling and nurturing children, young people and families.
• Identify, mentor and develop emerging leaders under the age of 30.
• Lead organisational and cultural change, helping churches move from aspiration to action in relation to younger generations.
• Develop and deliver a compelling vision for Growing Younger, building urgency, confidence and commitment across Church of England Birmingham.
• Oversee the development and review of training, learning and leadership initiatives, ensuring resources are focused on approaches that contribute to sustainable growth.
• Encourage innovation, and identify and share best practice from within and beyond Church of England Birmingham.

Community Engagement and Mission

• Strengthen connections between churches, schools and local communities.
• Encourage approaches that engage children and young people beyond existing congregations.
• Support churches to develop pathways from first contact through to discipleship, belonging and leadership.
• Foster collaboration between churches, schools, families, community organisations and other partners.
• Identify opportunities for mission amongst children and young people in under‑served contexts.

Collaboration, Networks and Learning

• Work closely with the Head of Parish Growth and Head of Church Planting & Revitalisation to ensure a joined‑up approach to mission and growth.
• Contribute to the prayerful and relational culture of the Mission Support Team.
• Build strong relationships with bishops, archdeacons, clergy and local leaders.
• Engage with relevant national and regional networks focused on children, young people, mission and church growth.
• Contribute to diocesan learning events, leadership development and strategic conversations.

Prayer and Communication

• Play a full part in the prayer life of the Mission Support Team.
• Communicate a compelling vision for Growing Younger across Church of England Birmingham.
• Work with the Communications Team to share stories of growth, learning and impact.
• Contribute to reports, presentations and funding updates as required.
• Commit to ongoing professional and theological development.

Person Specification

Essential

• There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 that the postholder is a practising and committed, prayerful Christian with a love for the Church and a heart for mission.
• Strong alignment with the vision of Church of England Birmingham to grow churches at the heart of each community.
• Demonstrable track record of leading significant growth in engagement with children and young people.
• Evidence of leading sustainable organisational, cultural or missional change that has resulted in measurable outcomes.
• Experience of leading and developing teams and creating healthy, high‑performing cultures.
• Strong strategic leadership skills, with a pioneering drive and the ability to translate vision into practical plans, programmes and outcomes.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills, with the ability to inspire confidence, build consensus and engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience of developing leaders, coaching others and building organisational capacity.
• Experience of building effective partnerships with churches, schools, community organisations or comparable stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively across different traditions, cultures and contexts within the Church of England.
• IT literate and confident using Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to travel across Church of England Birmingham (including in areas where public transport is limited) and work evenings or weekends when required.
• The post holder is required to have a full enhanced DBS check complete with barred lists.

Desirable

• Experience of designing, leading and evaluating training, learning or leadership development programmes.
• Experience of managing significant projects, investment programmes or externally funded initiatives.
• A qualification or significant experience in education, learning and development, coaching, organisational development or a related field.
• Experience of ministry within urban, multicultural or intergenerational contexts.
• Experience of working with externally funded programmes or significant change initiatives.
• Relevant theological qualification or equivalent experience.

Terms and Conditions

Salary of £42,230 plus membership of the Church Workers Pension Scheme with 12% employer contribution.

Fixed‑term appointment for five years.

Full‑time, 35 hours per week.

5 weeks plus Bank Holidays and 3 discretionary days.

Responsible to: Director of Mission.

Ethical and Inclusive Employment Statement

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 they meet the person specification for this post, particularly those who are currently under‑represented within our staff teams, including people from Global Majority Heritage and UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities, and those who identify as LGBTQI+.

We offer a range of inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and wellbeing support for our staff teams.

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 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.