Director of Ministry – Role DescriptionPurpose of the Role 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.The Director of Ministry will ensure that Church of England Birmingham:Raises up the right leaders in the right numbersForms them well for the context and priorities of the DioceseSustains them in lifelong learning, resilience and fruitful ministry Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership of the Ministry Pipeline Provide strategic leadership across the leadership lifecycle: Discern → Form → Deploy → Sustain → Transition.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 capacityMeet with and support the contribution of a number of Bishop’s Advisers who promote specific areas of ministryTeam Leadership and DevelopmentLead 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 developmentClergy Continuing Ministerial Development (CMD)Ministerial Development Review (MDR)Self-Supporting MinistrySpirituality, wellbeing and ministerial flourishingAuthorised 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 Formation and Training PathwaysOversee development of formation pathways for lay and ordained leaders.Ensure theological robustness and contextual relevance.Work with Theological Education institutions and diocesan partners.Ordained Ministry• 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.Lay Leadership• 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. Vocations and Leadership IdentificationProvide 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 Deployment and Leadership CapacityWork with Bishops and Archdeacons on deployment strategy.Support transitions between roles and ministries. Lifelong Learning and Ministerial FlourishingOversee 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; and a deepened diocesan culture of vocation and leadership development. Person SpecificationEssentialCommitted 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 ministryStrong theological grounding.Significant leadership experience.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 developmentAble to work flexible hours, including regular evening and weekend commitmentsWorks effectively across a wide range of church traditions and ministry styles Desirable Training/Teacher qualification, or relevant experience Experience of IME1/IME2 leadership and oversightExperience 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 ConditionsLine Manager: The Bishop of AstonLocation: Diocesan Offices, Birmingham (with hybrid working available)Salary: £56,779 per annum, with membership of the Clergy Pension SchemeHours: Full-timeHoliday: 5 weeks + Bank Holidays + 3 Diocesan DaysContract: Permanent (subject to 6-month probation)Occupational Requirement: The post has a genuine occupational requirement to be a practicing Christian in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.Closing Date for
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