Lead Diocesan Director of Ordinands – Diocese of Oxford

Location: Church House, Langford Locks, Kidlington, Oxford. OX5 1GF

Salary: £56,167.94 – £60,488.55 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week – Full time

About The Role

We are looking for a Lead Diocesan Director of Ordinands to join our newly forming senior leadership team (SLT) in the Department of Mission and Ministry. You will take specific responsibility for leading the experienced team of two full‑time Area DDOs, one full‑time Administrator, and seven part‑time Volunteer Assistant DDOs, who serve the considerable number of people who already come forward for licensed lay and ordained ministry across the Diocese. With the SLT, you will also play a key part in shaping a wider discipleship and vocations strategy to release the huge potential we see for many others to discover their callings, especially among under‑represented groups.

About You

You will have a great heart to grow and send leaders in God’s Church, and you will relish the particular opportunities for this in our diocese. You will be comfortable being part of a senior team and in leading a team. You will have the specific experience and skills required to oversee our extensive work with candidates for ordination and to take them through the Shared Discernment Process. You will also have the strategic mindset and gifts to help shape effective responses to wider vocation needs and opportunities as part of an overall strategy for discipleship.

Genuine Occupational Requirement: The appointed person must be an ordained member of the Church of England under Part 1, Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.

Benefits and Rewards

• 25 days holiday per annum, rising each year by one day to a maximum of 30 days
• Three privilege days in addition to the statutory UK public holidays
• Hybrid working
• Free parking and subsidised on‑site café
• Generous employer pension contribution of 12.5% which includes a death‑in‑service benefit (5% employee contribution)
• Electric car and cycle‑to‑work salary sacrifice schemes
• Access to well‑being support via Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies and generous sick‑pay provision
• Access to low‑interest financial services from Churches Mutual Credit Union, including loans
• An attractive modern working environment

How to Apply

To apply, please email your completed application form and recruitment monitoring form to: recruitment@oxford.anglican.org. The forms are accessible via the links below: Job Description | Application Form | Recruitment Monitoring Form | Privacy Notice | Confidential Declaration Form

Closing date for receipt of applications: Thursday 06 November 2025 at 12:00

Interviews will take place at Church House, Kidlington on: Tuesday 18 November 2025

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We want our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion for all to be reflected in the composition of our staff. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from communities currently under‑represented in the diocese.

Safeguarding and DBS

The Church of England is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our church community. In the Diocese of Oxford we follow and are committed to the Church of England's House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policies and the relevant statutory legislation and guidance "Working together" to ensure the welfare of children and young people is paramount. This post is subject to an enhanced plus barred lists DBS check.

All appointments are subject to acceptable pre‑appointment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check and completion of the Church of England Confidential Declaration Form.