Head of Vocations (Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocational Development)

Play a key role in shaping the future of ordained and licensed lay ministryin a city full of life, diversity, and opportunity.

(This role was initially advertised as a Director of Ordinands and Vocation Development, however we have reviewed the role title in order to honour the full breadth of vocations which the role will oversee)

About Us

Birmingham is the UK’s second city – energetic, diverse, and constantly evolving. It has the youngest urban population in Europe and a rich mix of cultures, faiths, and communities. The Church of England Birmingham (CofEB) spans nearly 300 square miles, covering Birmingham and parts of Solihull, Sandwell, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. It’s a region full of challenge and change. And God is at work in the midst of it all.

At the heart of CofEB are 187 Church of England places of worship serving a population of 1.5 million. These churches reflect a wide range of traditions and ethnicities, united by a shared commitment to being vibrant, welcoming, and outward-facing communities of faith.

This is a time of new possibility in our diocese as we reshape ministry for a changing world. Our vision is clear:Growing Churches at the Heart of Every Community. To help realise that vision, we are seeking a Head of Vocations who will bring wisdom, energy, and imagination to the task of raising up future leaders; leaders who are Christ-centred, theologically rooted, and missionally courageous.

About the Role

As Head of Vocations, you will be at the forefront of identifying, nurturing, and forming those called to licensed ministry (including ordained and lay). You will lead a prayerful and visionary discernment process, ensuring that each candidate is both deeply supported and rigorously assessed.

You will work across a rich and varied landscape of church tradition, with a passion for widening participation and cultivating vocations that reflect the full diversity of our region. You’ll develop accelerated pathways for those with leadership potential and strengthen routes into ministry for underrepresented communities, including through the Caleb and Peter Streams.

This is a strategic leadership role – working closely with bishops, parishes, vocations advisers, theological institutions, and the Ministry Division – to shape the kind of future Church we long to see: vibrant, faithful, and full of hope.

Key Areas of Responsibility

1. Vocational Discernment & Formation

• Lead a spiritually grounded, pastorally sensitive, and theologically robust discernment process from first enquiry through to selection, initial training and initial licensing (and curacy).
• Support candidates into appropriate pathways, ensuring formation is rooted in Scripture, open-hearted in spirit, and hopeful for the future of the Church.

2. Strategic Vision & Leadership

• Shape and implement a diocesan vocations strategy that inspires younger, more diverse leaders across traditions and communities.
• Build a culture where calling is recognised, celebrated, and nurtured at every level of church life.
• Develop accelerated routes for those called to pioneering, church planting, or fresh expressions of ministry.
• Champion later-life vocations through the Caleb Stream, supporting those called to ordained leadership at a later stage in life.

4. Widening Participation

• Actively engage with underrepresented groups to ensure leadership reflects the diversity of our region.
• Build partnerships with churches, training pathways, colleges, and networks to grow accessible and empowering routes into ministry, including the Peter Stream.
• Work closely with bishops, vocations advisers, and the wider Ministry Team to ensure excellent candidate experience and discernment outcomes.
• Liaise with theological training institutions and the Church of England Ministry Division to support ordination candidates through to curacy and beyond.

6. Pastoral & Spiritual Accompaniment

• Provide spiritual and pastoral care for candidates, modelling a life of prayer and trust in the Holy Spirit.
• Foster a culture of ongoing formation, theological reflection, and Christlike leadership.

The draft Vocations Strategy, which is under development, can be viewedhere .

Person Specification

Due to this role accompanying the discernment process for those called to authorised ministry, including the ordained ministries; to be able to carry this out effectively the role carries a genuine occupational requirement for the postholder to have been ordained as Priest within the Anglican communion and have been assessed by their Bishop as meeting the requirements for moving to a post of independent responsibility.

A deep personal faith rooted in Scripture, prayer and sacrament.

Experience of developing innovative pathways for training or formation.

Proven experience in leadership development, preferably in both parish and wider diocesan or institutional contexts.

Knowledge of current trends and challenges in ministry and mission within the Church of England.

Strong theological understanding with an ability to work creatively across traditions.

Experience of working with national Church bodies or theological colleges.

Experience in vocational discernment, mentoring, or leadership formation of lay and ordained ministries.

Cultural intelligence and a proven ability to work across diverse communities.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organisational skills.

Confidence and wisdom to challenge and encourage candidates appropriately.

A passion for growing and sending leaders for the sake of the Gospel and the renewal of the Church.

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.

Terms and Conditions

• The role is full-time with an annual salary of £42,080
• Holiday of 5 weeks per year, 3 discretionary days, and bank holidays
• Location: Diocesan Office in Central Birmingham (with opportunity for hybrid working)
• The post is subject to enhanced DBS check with Barred List check, satisfactory references (including commendation from present bishop) and completion of relevant Safeguarding Training
• The post-holder will be licensed by the Bishop of Birmingham and will need to comply with the Canons, the Guidelines for the Professional Conduct of the Clergy and other direction of the Bishop in this regard.
• The role may require weekend and evening availability with an accompanying Time Off In Lieu policy
• The role will be line managed by the Director of Ministry, being a key part of the mission and ministry team. The role will also have key oversight from the Suffragan Bishop of Aston who acts as Sponsoring Bishop for those proceeding to national discernment panels. The employer is BDBF (Birmingham Diocesan Board of Finance)

Closing date for applications 4th September 2025

Interviews to be held on the 24th September 2025

To apply for the role please click here.

Could this be you?

If you are a spiritually rooted, pastorally wise, and strategically minded leader who longs to see a new generation raised up for the gospel – we would love to hear from you.