Director of Mission - Church of England Birmingham

Purpose of the Role

The Director of Mission is a senior leadership role within Church of England Birmingham. The postholder will lead the Mission Support Team and play a central role in shaping and implementing diocesan vision and strategy for mission and discipleship. Part of the Bishop’s Staff Team, the Director will work closely with the Bishops, Archdeacons, Diocesan Secretary and other senior leaders, ensuring a joined-up, strategic, and prayerful approach to mission across our diverse city and region.

This role exists to support the diocesan vision of growing churches at the heart of each community —churches that are spiritually and numerically flourishing, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, and transforming the places they serve, as signs of God’s Kingdom.

The Director will be a passionate advocate for the Gospel and local church growth, working comfortably across traditions to help churches become vibrant, missional communities. The role will also foster a missional culture that reflects all Five Marks of Mission with particular emphasis placed on the first two:

• To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
• To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
  

She / he will also be available to support the bishops’ roles as leaders of mission across the diocese and to support episcopally-led initiatives including a heightened focus on prayer in the life of Church of England Birmingham. The Director will bring particular focus to the work of church planting and revitalisation as well ensuring that Church of England Birmingham continues to prioritise an increase in the number of young disciples.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership of mission across the diocese in alignment with our vision of growing churches at the heart of each community.
• Shape and implement diocesan strategy as the lead for ‘Parish Growth’ and ‘Church Planting and Revitalisation,’ embedding this across all traditions and local contexts, and successfully delivering on the activity and direction of travel committed to in Church of England Birmingham’s recent successful funding award.
• Lead and align diocesan mission priorities to grow younger, more diverse worshipping communities and continue the journey of integrating diocesan support surrounding mission and discipleship.
• Contribute to, and enable, the development of learning opportunities and pathways to foster more confident disciples, leaders in mission, pioneers and evangelists, as well as foundational learning for those going on to licensed or commissioned ministry.
• Work closely with the Bishops, Archdeacons, and Executive team to ensure that mission is central to diocesan vision, strategy, and resourcing.

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead and oversee the Mission Support Team, ensuring it is collaborative, focused and effective, in equipping churches for mission.
• Provide vision, encouragement, and accountability for team members working in areas such as youth, children and families, church planting and revitalisation, mission planning, and discipleship.

Support for Parishes, Oversight Areas and Leaders

• Equip and resource parishes, oversight areas, and local leaders to develop and implement effective mission and discipleship plans tailored to their context.
• Support and coach clergy and lay leaders in leading mission that is visionary, bold and realistic, and aligned with diocesan priorities.
• Encourage innovation in mission and evangelism, especially where churches seek to grow in new ways and reach under-represented communities.

Collaboration and Influence

• Work in partnership with Archdeacons, Area Deans, Diocesan Secretary and diocesan directors to ensure integrated support for parishes and oversight areas, and ensure that missional activity is effectively coordinated, aligned with broader diocesan strategy, and communicated appropriately.
• Advocate for mission as part of the Executive Board and the Bishop’s Core Staff Team.
• Build effective relationships with national, regional and local mission partners, representing the bishops as required, and keeping up to date with fresh missional thinking and practice.
• Play a part in the discernment of new ordinands and curates within Church of England Birmingham.
• Be a leader of prayer within Church of England Birmingham and through connection with leaders and churches from different streams and denominations.

Programme Oversight

• Oversee diocesan mission initiatives and projects, including those funded through national or other external sources.
• Work closely with the Project Management Office to ensure robust monitoring and evaluation of mission-related programmes and effective use of resources.
• Identify emerging mission opportunities and contribute to the development of new diocesan-wide initiatives.

Person Specification

Essential

• A committed prayerful Christian with a deep love for the Church and a passion for mission.
• A visionary leader with a track record of strategic leadership in church growth or mission contexts.
• Experience of enabling local churches to grow spiritually and numerically.
• Proven ability to lead and manage collaborative teams.
• Strong understanding and practical experience of Church Planting and/or Revitalisation.
• Ability to communicate well and inspire others across a broad theological and cultural spectrum.
• Understanding of Church of England structures and local church life.
• The post holder is required to have full Enhanced DBS check complete with barred lists

Desirable

• Experience of mission in urban, multi-cultural, or intergenerational contexts.
• Knowledge of ministry among youth, children and families.
• Theological training or qualifications in mission or ministry.
• Experience of managing externally funded programmes and change initiatives including a reasonable level of financial literacy.

Terms and Conditions

• Line Manager: The Bishop of Aston
• Location: Diocesan Offices, Birmingham (with hybrid working available)
• Salary: £56,779 per annum + pension (adjusted if stipendiary clergy)
• Hours: Full-time
• Holiday: 5 weeks + Bank Holidays + 3 Diocesan Days
• 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.

Closing Date for applications: 13^th March 2026

Interviews to be held in-person on:  27^th March 2026

To apply for this role click here 

The Director of Mission will be supported to pursue opportunities to further professional development and spiritual formation through conversation with the Bishop of Aston.

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 lists.