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Reporting to the Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments and working closely alongside the Appointments and Vocations Adviser, the Vocations and Development Adviser supports the delivery of the Church of England's senior appointments processes and contributes to the discernment and development of those whom God may be calling to senior leadership, helping to nurture a diverse, prayerfully discerned and well-prepared pipeline of future leaders.
This role offers a unique opportunity to engage with the mission and ministry of the Church of England in a wide range of contexts across the country. Through regular engagement with dioceses, cathedrals and other ministry settings, the postholder will build relationships across the breadth of the Church while contributing to the discernment, development and support of future senior leaders.
The role combines significant responsibility for supporting senior appointments processes with a particular focus on vocational discernment, leadership development and the pastoral accompaniment of those discerning God's call to senior leadership within the Church. The postholder will support individuals as they seek to recognise and respond faithfully to that call. The postholder will provide professional advice and support to bishops, appointment bodies and candidates, helping to identify and develop future senior leaders whilst contributing to the continuous improvement of discernment and appointments practice across the Church.
The postholder will work with a high degree of autonomy, exercising sound judgement in complex and sensitive situations, building trusted relationships with senior clergy and stakeholders across the Church, and helping to shape and deliver appointments, discernment and development activity.
The balance of responsibilities within this role will vary over time according to the demands of the senior appointments programme. The successful delivery of appointments processes is the team's primary responsibility and, during periods of peak activity, this will necessarily take precedence over other areas of work. As a result, the proportion of time devoted to appointments, vocational discernment, development activity and wider projects will fluctuate. The postholder will therefore need to be comfortable working flexibly, adapting priorities as required and moving confidently between operational delivery and longer-term developmental work.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact
Interviews will take place in London on Thursday 5th November. For shortlisted candidates, there will be some activities to complete in the week of 26th October.
Please note the role is expected to commence in early February 2027.
Working alongside the Appointments and Vocations Adviser and other members of the team, and supporting the Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments, you will:
Senior Appointments
Journey alongside candidates throughout appointment and discernment processes, providing pastoral support as they reflect on vocation, calling and future ministry.
Vocational discernment and development
Advise, guide, prepare and pastorally accompany individuals discerning God's call to senior leadership in the Church.
Support the identification and development of a diverse and sustainable pipeline of leaders for the Church's future, ensuring that considerations of belonging, inclusion and equity are embedded within discernment, development and appointments processes.
Provide coaching, development opportunities and skills training for those engaging with senior appointment discernment processes, including applications, written submissions, interviews and assessment activities.
Contribute to leadership development programmes and networks by sharing expertise on senior appointments, discernment processes, vocational pathways, and opportunities for ministry and leadership within the Church.
Build and maintain networks across the Church to identify, share and implement good practice in leadership discernment and development, and to facilitate effective signposting and support.
Safeguarding, policy and projects
Contribute significantly to the development, implementation and review of policies, strategies, frameworks and systems relating to senior appointments, vocation and leadership development.
The Archbishops' Advisers for Appointments and Vocations (AAAV) team is a key team within the Office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, supporting and advising the Archbishops and the wider Church on the appointment of senior clergy. The team's work supports the Crown Nominations Commission in identifying new Diocesan Bishops, those involved in appointing Suffragan Bishops and the selection panels who nominate new cathedral Deans. The team also supports senior clergy in their vocation and discernment, working closely with key stakeholders throughout the Church to identify, encourage and equip future senior leaders. Guided by the AAAV Vision and Strategy, the team seeks to strengthen discernment and appointments practice and support the development of faithful, capable and diverse leaders for the future of the Church.
This role provides an excellent opportunity to work in a small, highly collaborative, supportive and professional team. The AAAV team is known for its strong sense of mutual support, shared purpose and commitment to one another's success. Together we work on a complex, detailed and fast-paced portfolio of senior appointments, vocational discernment and associated projects. Our work is rooted in excellence, compassion, collaboration, respect and integrity, combining prayerful discernment, professional rigour and pastoral care. We work as a close-knit team in beautiful surroundings, part of the Lambeth Palace community and Office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, supporting each other with care, flexibility and good humour.
The Church of England’s vocation is and always has been to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ afresh in each generation to the people of England.


