Theology development officer jobs
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BACKGROUND
Church of England Birmingham (CofEB) is on a journey of growing churches at the heart of every community. Through this we are seeing growth in many exciting ways. Financially we are at a challenging point. We have had an operational deficit for a number of years and this cannot continue. The National Church has agreed to partner with us around this through their Diocesan Investment Programme enabling us to have the time, and resource, to tackle this head on. One key aspect of this is for us to increase our Common Fund returns (the giving from our parishes that supports the costs of our life together). We are taking a radical new approach to our finances which includes intentional reallocation of income to support the costs in our most economically deprived parishes and deeper relationships with each parish around finance through conversation rather than correspondence. Over the next five years we are hoping to be able to move to a financially sustainable platform which will enable us to better serve our communities in the future.
We have recently recruited a new Head of Generosity, who is also Bishops Advisor for Common Fund, to lead on this work and we are now looking to recruit the team to work with them. The focus of the team is to develop long term relationships with all of our parishes leading to:
- Greater support for our parishes.
- Increased generosity by, and within, our parishes.
- Increased Common Fund.
The current plan is to recruit two Giving & Generosity Advisor roles and one Giving & Generosity Support Officer role. Together this team will work with all of our parishes to roll out our financial approach, through in person meetings, and the support that is on offer as part of this.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The primary focus of this role is to work with parishes to:
- Understand their current financial situation and how this links to the wider Church of England Birmingham situation.
- Understand our model and how support is on offer for parishes who are economically deprived.
- Assess with them the support needed to increase generosity and giving at a local level and create an action plan around this that is bespoke and contextual.
- Create a long-term plan for their participation in the common fund.
We have 146 parishes and the Head of Generosity will manage the team so that all parishes can be engaged as quickly as possible. It is the Head of Generosity and two Giving & Generosity Advisors who will be carrying out the in-person meetings with each parish. These roles will work closely with a range of people and teams across Church of England Birmingham so that this work is integrated within our wider strategy and parishes are not confused by multiple disjointed initiatives. This will mean working with Archdeacons and Area Deans, Mission Support Team, Ministry Team, Property Team, Finance Team, Community Regeneration Team and Communications Team as well as others.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Develop strong relationships with parishes that will enable this project to flourish and also help increase the connection between parishes and the DBF. Signposting to other teams and projects will be important.
- Inspiring and encouraging parishes in their Christian approach to giving and generosity
- Creating bespoke multiyear plans for Common Fund with parishes with the support of a Steering Group that includes the Archdeacons and other key stakeholders.
- Provide consultancy, resources, and hands-on support to parishes to grow regular giving, legacies, and other forms of financial support. This work will be able to draw on the resources developed by the national church as well as the data held on their Cornerstone Grants Platform. The post-holder will be expected to engage in the work of the National Giving Team as part of the development of these wider resources.
- Develop and deliver training for clergy, lay leaders and PCCs on the theology and Christian practice of giving and generosity and also practical financial management (in conjunction with the Finance Team).
- Work closely with the Finance Team in matters of technical accounting, governance and financial management identified as needed by parishes.
- Encourage and assist parishes in the implementation of the Parish Giving Scheme, introduction of contactless giving mechanisms and related diocesan resources.
- Source, develop and curate practical resources (digital and print) to support local stewardship campaigns and initiatives.
- Evaluate the impact of stewardship and generosity initiatives and adapt strategies accordingly to achieve the project outcomes.
- Working with our Communications Team, create compelling communication tools that articulate the impact of generosity.
As we are looking to recruit two people into these roles there is flexibility to appoint people with complementary skill sets who may have greater expertise in certain elements of the role.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
- Strong understanding of church governance structures and financial operations and requirements.
- Knowledge of generosity principles and Christian financial stewardship.
- A prayerful Christian with a deep commitment to the Church’s mission (Genuine Occupational Requirement).
- Experience of working in a sensitive environment and handling confidential matters with tact and diplomacy.
Essential Skills & Attributes:
- Resilient and adaptable, able to handle challenges and maintain momentum in a demanding role.
- Strong people skills, able to engage effectively with parishes and church communities.
- Good communicator being able to engage a wide range of stakeholders and hold their attention.
- Trustworthy and credible, able to build and maintain confidence with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Empathetic towards parishes and deeply committed to supporting the local church.
- Excellent conflict resolution skills, capable of handling difficult conversations with care and professionalism.
- Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and keep track of numerous ongoing responsibilities.
- Capable implementer, ensuring initiatives are successfully delivered, both at a local and diocese wide level.
- Financially literate, with a good understanding of budgets, stewardship, and sustainability within the Church.
- As the role involves visiting parishes across the diocese, including some locations not accessible by public transport, candidates must be able to travel independently. This requires holding a valid driving licence and access to a suitably insured vehicle.
- Be a person of integrity.
Other Considerations:
- The role requires significant evening and weekend work, demanding flexibility and commitment.
- Local presence is essential—the role must be delivered in an incarnational way, engaging directly with communities.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The post-holder will be employed by the Diocesan Board of Finance for a fixed term ending on 2nd November 2030, subject to funding.
Salary and Pension: Salary of £35,000 plus membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with 12% employer contribution. We are open to discussion especially if you are ordained and are moving out of parish ministry.
Hours: Full-time 35 hours (5 days) per week. Weekend and evening work will be required, for which the equivalent time may be taken back from standard working hours. We are happy to consider requests for flexible working and candidates seeking part-time hours. Please do mention in your application if you would be interested in looking at alternative working hours.
Holidays: 5 weeks per year plus Bank Holidays and 3 Discretionary Days between Christmas and New Year
Employer: Birmingham Diocesan Board of Finance
Responsible To: Head of Generosity
CLOSING DATE: 12th April 2026
INTERVIEWS: 23rd April 2026 in central Birmingham
For an informal conversation or further information about the role, contact Dawn Baker, Head of Generosity.
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 or 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+.
We offer a range of inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and other services to our staff teams.
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.
Thank you!
Sheffield Cathedral stands at the heart of the city as both an iconic Christian landmark and a living centre of prayer, worship, and mission. Guided by our commitment to be “A Place for All People,” the Cathedral is investing in new forms of sacramental mission across the Diocese of Sheffield.
The Community of St Paulinus (CsP) is a pioneering, non-residential community focused on resourcing sacramental church planting, forming disciples, and strengthening partnerships across the diocese.
This newly created role of Marketing & Content Lead reflects a strategic investment in building the public voice, identity and reach of CsP. We are seeking a creative and strategically minded marketing professional who will establish and grow CsP’s digital platforms from the ground up, developing a distinctive brand voice and presence that is rooted in Sheffield Cathedral while clearly expressing the unique identity of the Community of St Paulinus.
The postholder will shape CsP’s emerging communications strategy, build audiences, develop campaigns, and contribute to wider marketing thinking within the Project Resource Team.
The Marketing & Content Lead will sit within the Project Resource Team (PRT), alongside the Project Manager, Administration Assistant, and Fundraising Officer. The postholder will be line managed by the Project Manager and will be a key part of the agile Project Resource Team, which serves the CsP. The postholder will also collaborate with the Cathedral Marketing and Communications Team, where appropriate, to ensure alignment and shared opportunity, with the wider Cathedral communications strategy and work.
[This is a post which is funded by a grant from the National Church currently up to the end of 2028. There will be further opportunity for us to review and extend the role if further funding is available with the current expectation that this could be until 2031. Regular reviews on this will take place. We have a strong record for applications and grants, but we are not in a position to give guarantees.]
£27,278 per annum (4 days per week or 30 hours per week) - Flexible working arrangements available by negotiation
A full job information pack is available from Sheffield Cathedral website. Please visit.[A CsP Explainer document forms part of this job pack.]
Applications must be made on the Cathedral's own application form (which is also available on the Cathedral website).
Applications must be submitted by 12 noon on Thursday 9 April.
Short-listing by the panel will take place on Monday 13 April 2026.
Interviews will take place at Sheffield Cathedral Thursday 30 April 2026.
For an informal chat about this role, please email or telephone Paul Trathen, Project Manager, Community of St Paulinus. [Details through Cathedral website.]
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Diocese of Guildford is seeking a gifted and collaborative Training Lead to coordinate and ensure delivery of high‑quality training for clergy, licensed lay ministers and parish leadership teams across the diocese.
As the Training Lead, you will be a key member of the St Martha’s College (SMC) team. St Martha’s College is at the heart of ministerial formation within the diocese, bringing together a growing range of training pathways including Foundations in Ministry, Occasional Courses, IME2, CMD, Clergy Wellbeing, and leadership development. This role plays a vital part in ensuring these programmes are coordinated, accessible and effective.
The Role
Some of the Key Responsibilities include:
- Overseeing the planning and delivery of high‑quality training for clergy and lay ministers across the diocese.
- Shape and maintain the diocesan One Training Plan, working closely with Mission Team colleagues and external providers.
- Respond to training needs emerging from the Parish Needs Process and Ministerial Development Reviews.
- Support CMD (Continuing Ministerial Development) by helping allocate training allowances and coordinating diocesan training events, including Bishop’s Study Days and conferences.
- Lead the development of St Martha’s new online learning portal and line‑manage the E‑Learning Coordinator.
- Build and maintain a network of external resources and providers to help direct individuals to appropriate training.
- Manage communications with parishes, clergy and chaplaincies to ensure training opportunities are clearly and effectively promoted.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Is skilled in planning, coordinating and managing multiple activities to time and budget
- Has experience designing and delivering training programmes.
- Is highly organised, able to manage multiple activities and work to deadlines.
- Builds strong, credible relationships and works well with clergy, volunteers and colleagues.
- Is confident facilitating groups and communicating clearly.
- Is comfortable recruiting, coordinating and supporting Volunteers.
- Has excellent administrative skills and is proficient in Microsoft Office.
- Understands church life and is committed to supporting ministry and mission.
Please refer to the attached Job Description for the full details of the responsibilities of the Training Lead.
Benefits of the role include:
· Competitive salary within the Charity Sector.
· A 10% non-contributory pension scheme
· Life assurance provision of 3x annual salary
· 25 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays increasing to 26 days after the first year.
· Employee assistance programme
· Ongoing learning and development opportunities
If this opportunity excites you and you meet the criteria, we would love to hear from you!
To apply, submit your CV along with a detailed supporting statement (cover letter), outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification. The supporting statement is an essential part of the application process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be considered.
This role carries an occupational requirement to be a practising Christian in line with the Equality Act 2010.
A DBS Disclosure is not required for this role.
We will shortlist and interview on a rolling basis as applications are received and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
The Diocese of Guildford take our responsibility for the safeguarding of children and adults seriously. Our recruitment processes reflect this commitment.
We take your privacy seriously. To understand how your personal data will be processed during the recruitment process, please read our Candidate Privacy Notice before applying.
We believe that diversity is a strength. We actively welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities, particularly those who identify as female, younger, of a UK Minority Ethnic/Global Majority Heritage, or disabled, as it is essential that we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date, it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date.
Registered Charity
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Our vision is of a diverse, growing, intergenerational church at the heart of each community, working alongside our chaplaincies and schools.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.