Director, Cuddesdon Chelmsford Centre

Ripon  College  Cuddesdon  (‘Cuddesdon’)  is  one  of  the  Church  of
England’s  most  significant  and  diverse  institutions  for  theological
education and ministerial formation. We combine a rich tradition with
a  creative  and  outward-looking  approach  to  preparing  men  and
women for lay and ordained ministry, rooted in worship, learning and
community life.

Cuddesdon  has  a  long  and  successful  record  of  partnership  with
dioceses and other institutions across the Church of England and the
wider Anglican Communion. These collaborations allow formation and
training to take place close to the life of local churches while remaining
part  of  a  prayerful,  supportive  and  academically  rigorous  wider
community.  Each  partnership  reflects  our  belief  that  theological
education flourishes when it is shared, contextual and shaped by the
needs of those it serves.

The  new  Cuddesdon  Chelmsford  Centre  continues  this  pattern  in  a
distinctive  and  exciting  way.  Established  in  partnership  with  the
Diocese  of  Chelmsford,  it  embodies  our  shared  commitment  to
forming  ministers  and
imagination  and
faithfulness for the twenty-first-century Church. The Centre’s life and
learning  will  be  shaped  both  by  Chelmsford’s  diocesan  vision,
Travelling  Well  Together,  and  by  Cuddesdon’s  own  ethos  of  faithful
worship, eager learning and diverse community.

leaders  of  character,

Through this collaboration, we aim to develop a model of ministerial
formation that is rooted in local context, fosters theological reflection
in practice, and equips ministers to serve with confidence, wisdom and
compassion  across  varied  communities.  The  Director  of  the
Cuddesdon Chelmsford Centre will play a leading role in this shared
endeavour:  guiding  its  academic  and  formational  life,  nurturing  its
community,  and ensuring  that  the  partnership  continues  to  grow  in
depth, quality and reach.

Faithful worship – Eager learning –

Diverse community:

Formation for generous service in

God’s Church.

Cuddesdon seeks to embody the breadth and
generosity  of  the  Church  of  God  for  God’s
world. We are committed to the flourishing of
all and to building a community in which each
person  can  offer  their  gifts  in  the  service  of
the Gospel.

We  recognise  that  true  community  brings
both enrichment and challenge. Diversity calls
for generosity and humility — a willingness to
listen, to learn, and to grow together in God’s
wisdom and love. In that spirit, we celebrate
our unity and our difference through faithful
worship,  eager  learning,  and  joyful  table
fellowship.

We  delight  in  our  shared  calling  and  in  one
another, seeking to learn and grow by God’s
grace and to glimpse, in our common life, the
fruit  of  the  Spirit  and  the  signs  of  the
Kingdom.

Hospitality  and  care  for  creation  are  at  the
heart  of  our  life  together. We  aspire  to  be  a
place  of  welcome,  learning  and  refreshment
for all who come, living in harmony with the
world God has made.

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Job Description and Person Specification

Summary, Purpose and Objectives of the Role
To establish and lead the Cuddesdon Chelmsford Centre in the formation, training and teaching of ordinands and lay
ministerial  students,  ensuring  the  coherence  and  quality  of  academic  and  formational  delivery.  The  Director  will
oversee all aspects of the Centre’s academic life, pastoral care, and integration within the wider community of Ripon
College Cuddesdon, while building strong collaborative relationships with Chelmsford Diocesan colleagues.

Responsible to / Responsible for / Key Relationships
Reporting to:
Responsible for:

Principal
Pathway Administrator
Local Tutors
As a fellow member of the Senior Leadership Team at Cuddesdon:

Key relationships:

•  Principal
•  Bursar & Chief Operating Officer
•  Academic Dean
•  Director of Formation
•  Director of Cuddesdon Gloucester & Hereford (CGH)
•  Deputy Bursar

Within the Diocese of Chelmsford:

•  Sponsoring Bishops of the Diocese
•  Diocesan Director of Mission, Ministry and Education
•  Directors of Ordinands, Lay Ministry, and IME2

Main Duties and Responsibilities

•  As a member of Cuddesdon’s Senior Leadership Team, the post-holder will lead the Cuddesdon Chelmsford
Centre, developing and delivering its non-residential programmes in close collaboration with academic
colleagues. This includes organisation, planning and delivery of the Centre’s activities, ensuring that they are
appropriately staffed, resourced and integrated with Cuddesdon’s wider programmes while developing and
maintaining positive working relationships with relevant staff at the Diocese of Chelmsford and exploring
possibilities for further collaboration.

•  Recruit, support and supervise local tutors, identifying training needs and ensuring appropriate induction

•

and development Line manage the Pathway Administrator.
In collaboration with colleagues at Cuddesdon and other regional centres organise and oversee the
programme of residential weekends and Easter/Summer schools. Oversee the academic and formational
progress of all Chelmsford-based students, liaising with diocesan staff as appropriate.

•  Draft student reports and coordinate the annual reporting process for Chelmsford students (in collaboration

with colleagues where appropriate).

•  Collate and review student evaluations and chair meetings of the Chelmsford Board of Studies.
•  Work closely with the Academic Dean and Director of Formation on curriculum development and delivery.
•  Manage a personal programme of teaching, supervision and assessment in areas of academic expertise.
Lead and model good formational practice, acting as the lead local tutor for Chelmsford students and
providing pastoral oversight, worship leadership and placement support.

•

•  Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key diocesan personnel.

•

It is anticipated that the Director will hold the Bishop of Chelmsford’s licence (as either a lay or ordained
minister) and may, in due course, be invited to become an Honorary Canon of Chelmsford Cathedral.
In collaboration with the Principal and Bursar, take a lead role in the strategic development of the
Chelmsford Centre, responding to opportunities and challenges within the wider TEI sector, including the
development of online and blended learning. To be a key member of the Chelmsford Cuddesdon Liaison

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Group, sharing responsibility with diocesan and Cuddesdon colleagues for setting agendas and organising
meetings.

•  Participate actively in the worshipping life of Cuddesdon, including preaching and presiding at the Eucharist

at the local centre and during residential weekends and weeks for non-residential students.

•  Attend academic Staff and Senior Leadership Team meetings (respectively, weekly and fortnightly in term
time, with online attendance possible), the start-of-year planning meeting in September, post-term ‘Big
Picture’ meetings after Michaelmas and Hilary Terms, and the annual Staff Residential following Trinity Term.

•  Attend relevant sub-committees of the Board of Governors as required.
•  Exercise appropriate administrative oversight, including student monitoring, assessment processes and

quality assurance.

•  Act as the safeguarding officer for the Chelmsford Centre, ensuring that all safeguarding concerns are

reported and managed in line with College policy and diocesan procedures, and that students and staff are
appropriately briefed on safeguarding responsibilities.

•  Promote a safer, inclusive and accessible culture across all aspects of the Centre’s life and learning, working

•

closely with the College Safeguarding Lead.
Foster a culture of hospitality, collaboration and theological reflection consistent with Cuddesdon’s ethos
and the mission priorities of Chelmsford Diocese.

This is an indicative list of duties and responsibilities only, and should not be regarded as exhaustive.

Person Specification
The person appointed to this post will have a love for the Church and its calling, deep reserves of resilience, a robust
and grounded spirituality, and a collaborative and cheerful disposition. They will delight in the diversity of the
community we serve, confident of the welcome they will receive and the value attached to their contribution. They
will be eager to share in the social, worshipping and academic life of Cuddesdon and the Chelmsford Centre, and
able to work effectively with colleagues and students across both contexts.

Qualities

Qualifications

Essential

Desirable

A relevant higher degree at least at
Master’s level.

A doctoral degree (PhD or DMin) in a
relevant field.

Knowledge and experience

Ordained in the Church of England or a
Church in full communion with it

Familiarity with current and developing
thinking in theology, ministry and
mission.

Experience of leadership within a
Theological Education Institution or
similar context.

Significant experience of theological
education and/or ministerial formation.

Experience of curriculum development
and quality assurance processes.

Proven ability to teach and assess
effectively, ideally within the Common
Awards framework.

Understanding of the formational
dimensions of ministerial training.

Awareness of the challenges and
opportunities facing the Church of
England in mission and ministry.

Familiarity with the Chelmsford Diocese
and its current vision.

Experience in developing online or
blended learning provision.

A track record of supporting learners who
are new to tertiary education, and/or
supporting those with SpLDs.

Skills & aptitudes

Excellent organisational and
administrative skills.

Skills in developing collaborative
networks and external partnerships.

Ability to lead and support a dispersed
team of tutors and administrators.

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Personal attributes

Circumstances

Enthusiasm for teaching theology in the
context of ministerial formation.
Strong communication, interpersonal and
pastoral skills.

Ability to work collaboratively across
institutional and diocesan boundaries.

A practising communicant member of the
Church of England or a Church in
communion with it.

Commitment to the training and
formation of men and women for
ordained and lay ministry.

Commitment to the values and
aspirations of Cuddesdon as summarised
in its Ethos Statement.

Capacity to represent Cuddesdon with
warmth and confidence in a range of
external settings.

Capacity to work in a demanding
environment while modelling good self-
care and work-life balance.

Availability for evening and weekend
working, and attendance at residential
events.

Ability to travel between Cuddesdon and
Chelmsford regularly.

Experience of senior leadership, including
strategic planning, networking and
collaboration with external partners and
customers.

Full driving licence.

Employment Details and Staff Benefits
Director, Cuddesdon Chelmsford Centre
Job title:

Employer:

Ripon College Cuddesdon

Hours and Term:

This is a full-time post. The post-holder will be expected to manage their working hours
flexibly to meet teaching, pastoral and worship commitments across the Chelmsford and
Cuddesdon calendars. Evening and weekend working will be required, together with
attendance at residential events and College meetings.

Location:

Salary:

Based primarily at the Chelmsford Diocesan Office, with regular travel to Cuddesdon and
occasional attendance at other diocesan or national meetings.

The role is remunerated in line with the Lichfield Scale for Academic Staff. Current figures
(2025–26) are listed below and will be updated following the annual uplift in April 2026:

•  Stipend: £34,094
•  Book allowance: £920
•  Housing allowance: £15,741
•  Total: £50,755

Updated figures and a revised consolidated package will be confirmed prior to appointment.

Housing:

A housing allowance set at the Chelmsford Diocesan rate is payable (as above).

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Book Allowance:

In line with the Lichfield Scale (as above).

Pension:

Holiday:

Contract:

Membership of an appropriate Church of England pension scheme, including the Clergy
Pension Scheme if ordained.

Six weeks’ annual leave plus eight bank holidays. Annual leave will not normally be granted
during term time or major residential events.

This is a permanent position, subject to satisfactory completion of a six-month probation
period.

There  is  a  Genuine  Occupational  Requirement  (GOR)  that  the  post-holder  is  a  Christian.  Regulation  7(2)a  of  the
Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 applies.

This post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure.

Safeguarding

Ripon  College  Cuddesdon  is  committed  to  safeguarding  and  promoting  the  welfare  of  children  and  adults.
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility of all staff. The suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during
the recruitment process in line with this commitment.

The College has comprehensive safeguarding policies in place which all staff are expected to read and observe during
induction  and  throughout  their  employment.  Regular  safeguarding  training  is  provided  to  ensure  that  all  staff
understand their responsibilities and comply with best practice in safeguarding and welfare.

How to Apply

Applications should include a covering letter explaining your interest in the role and how your aptitudes, experience,
and qualifications match the Job Description and Person Specification. Please also enclose a full CV, a completed
application form, a CofE Declaration form and Privacy Notice, and an equal opportunities form.

Applications should be sent to The Bursar, Mr Clint McVea, Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford OX44 9EX, or by email
to hr@rcc.ac.uk, to arrive by 12 noon on Friday 16 January 2026. Interviews will take place in Chelmsford on the 28
or 29 January 2026.

If you would find it helpful to have an informal conversation about the role prior to applying, you are welcome to
contact Revd Dr Sarah Brush, Director of the CGH Pathway, Safeguarding Lead and Vice-Principal, at
sarah.brush@rcc.ac.uk.

The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide evidence of the
right to work in the UK. Please note that the College is not licensed to sponsor visa applications.

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