Mission Director
Do you have a heart for God’s global mission, a head for strategy implementation and a passion to see global mission movements catalysed? Are you ready to help co-create mission activities in a number of edge contexts around the world? Are you good at influencing and leading people? If so, then you might be just the right person to take on the key role of Mission Director with Church Mission Society (CMS).
Like many mission organisations, in recent years CMS has gone through a process of decentralisation and localisation, resulting in the establishment of CMS-Africa and Asia-CMS within their respective regions. In addition, while CMS once worked primarily through placing people from the West in cross-cultural contexts, we’ve broadened our approach to include supporting local mission organisations and their mission personnel, partnership grant-making and network-building. We particularly want to do this in edge contexts around the world: those places where Jesus’ name is rarely heard or where the church struggles to be.
As a member of the senior leadership team (SLT) of CMS, the Mission Director will play a key part in leading this strategic direction to success together with the CEO, the rest of the SLT, international partners and the mission team.
Further details can be found in the job description and person specification available to download on the Church Mission Society website.
This post has an occupational requirement for the post holder to be a practising and committed Christian, committed to the aims, values and the ethos statement of CMS. In addition, they must be able and willing to travel internationally around 50 days per annum. An enhanced DBS / criminal records check is also required for this post.
Hours, salary and benefits:
· Permanent and full time (35 hours per week)
· Hybrid working: at least two days a week at CMS House, Oxfordshire
· Starting salary is circa £60,000 per annum depending on experience with a generous pension contribution: up to 10 per cent employer contribution on annual salary
· CMS offers 36 days of annual leave pro rata (including bank holidays) as well as enhanced paid sickness, maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
· CMS supports the mental wellbeing of its employees and offers a generous rewards and wellbeing package, including:
o access to 24/7 employee assistance programme with qualified counsellors
o regular wellbeing coffee mornings
o support on menopause for women
o up to three volunteer days a year
o up to three family emergency leave days a year
o retreats and resources for prayer life
We welcome applications from everyone. We particularly welcome applications from women and individuals from minority groups as they are currently underrepresented within our organisation at this level. All appointments are made on merit of skill, experience and potential as set out in the job description and person specification.
Your role
As a servant leader with exceptional cross-cultural experience and communication skills, the successful candidate for Mission Director will set up processes and structures that mobilise people in mission and enable, strengthen and catalyse mission movements, leading them to flourish in the UK and overseas.
The organisation you’ll be joining
Church Mission Society is comprised of people who are passionate about mission and fired up about helping people follow Jesus. For over 200 years CMS has been at the forefront of global mission, living out the gospel of Jesus, seeing lives changed and communities transformed. If you join CMS, you will find an organisation that has been reinvigorated with a fresh vision to make disciples of Jesus among people at the edges, both in the UK and around the world
What you’ll need to succeed
The ideal candidate will have a postgraduate qualification in Not for Profit (Charity) management or significant equivalent experience, and will have held a senior role in a mission organisation/charity with responsibility for managing, formulating and implementing international strategy. They will be a prayerful, discerning Christian with missiological knowledge and insight, cross-cultural experience, and mission engagement experience, bringing effective mission partnerships and nurturing a healthy mission spirituality within CMS.
Further details can be found in the job description and person specification available to download on the CMS website.
Our commitment to you
Our core values of being pioneering, relational, faithful and evangelistic are integral to everything we do, and we work hard to ensure that every member of staff is valued, supported and encouraged to continually learn and develop their skills.
We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of the people we serve, our partners, our volunteers, and our staff. We believe that every child or adult we come into contact with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm and abuse. Our recruitment and selection processes are in line with our Safeguarding Policy and the SCHR Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, which CMS is a member of as part of our commitment to safeguarding.
Closing date
We must get your application by midnight on Sunday 26 October 2025.
Interviews are planned to be held over Zoom in early November for the first stage, and in-person interviews for those candidates selected for the second stage on Thursday 20 November 2025 at CMS House, Oxford.
To apply
Please send your application form and CV via website or by post to HR Team, Church Mission Society, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ. CVs will only be considered when sent with a completed application form, which is available to download from our website.
Candidates for all UK roles must already be eligible to work in the UK, with a valid visa and work permit if required.
As a member of the Inter-agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, CMS has committed to systematically check with previous employers from the last five years for any ‘SEAH’ (Sexual Exploitation, Abuse or Harassment) issues relating to all potential new hires.
Registered Charity
People at the edges are at the centre of God’s story. Join our global movement as we follow Jesus to the edges together.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About The Role
The Communications Officer will play a critical role in contributing to and delivering The Phoenix Way’s communications
objectives. They will increase public awareness of the challenges faced by Black and Global Majority communities,
highlight the work of our partners, and influence wider change in the funding sector.
This is a dynamic and varied role, requiring a strategic thinker with excellent storytelling, advocacy, and stakeholder
engagement skills.
Main duties and responsibilities
Increase Public Awareness
• Develop and implement a communications strategy that frames the lived experiences of racial inequality through
compelling data, case studies, and human stories.
• Commission and manage research and data-gathering projects (e.g. £10k budget for Equity in Philanthropy report).
• Produce and disseminate research findings in accessible, engaging formats (reports, infographics, videos, blogs, press
releases).
• Deliver and oversee a coordinated social media plan across platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, X, WhatsApp).
• Lead the press and media strategy, building relationships with journalists, particularly in Black, Asian, third sector, and
mainstream outlets.
Foster Engagement
• Review, update, and embed TPW’s key messaging framework across all channels.
• Work collaboratively with regional teams, partners, and stakeholders to ensure consistent and inclusive messaging.
• Engage and mobilise stakeholders including community organisations, funders, policymakers, and the general public.
• Promote and amplify the work of TPW’s funded partners.
Influence Grant-Making Practices
• Develop and execute advocacy strategies targeting policymakers, government bodies, and philanthropic institutions.
• Create and distribute a Digital Advocacy Toolkit (social media templates, campaign messaging, email campaigns,
petitions).
• Publish and amplify policy briefs, research reports, and case studies to influence systemic change.
• Secure local, regional, and national media coverage to raise awareness of inequities in grant-making.
Empower Marginalised Communities
• Promote TPW’s capacity-building programmes (Community Connect, training, resources, and toolkits).
• Collaborate with partners to co-create resources that help community organisations strengthen governance, visibility,
and fundraising confidence.
• Signpost community groups to external funding opportunities and wider resources.
• Develop creative, inspiring content that educates, informs, and motivates action.
Amplify Impact
• Develop and deliver TPW’s Social Impact Reporting Framework.
• Collect, analyse, and share data on TPW’s impact and funders’ progress toward equitable grant-making.
• Create powerful storytelling content showcasing success stories, lessons learned, and examples of best practice.
• Inspire and engage stakeholders with the Phoenix Way model to foster innovation and collaboration.
General
• To attend and participate in internal and external meetings including London, South and East regions and Ubele
meetings and meetings with key stakeholders.
• To attend relevant training to fulfil the requirements of the job.
• To undertake other duties which may from time to time be required and which are appropriate to the responsibilities
of the post.
• Ensure that The Ubele initiative internal policies and procedures are followed through in all areas of work.
• Also treat with confidentiality any information that could be deemed as personal, private, or sensitive and comply with
the organisations GDPR and Safeguarding requirements.
Person Specification
Essential:
• Proven experience in communications, PR, or campaigns, ideally within the charity, community, or social justice
sectors.
• Strong understanding of issues affecting Black and Global Majority communities in the UK.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives across multiple
platforms.
• Experience managing social media, press engagement, and digital campaigns.
• Ability to translate complex data and research into accessible, impactful content.
• Track record of stakeholder engagement, partnership working, and coalition-building.
• Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Desirable:
• Experience in advocacy, influencing, or policy communications.
• Familiarity with the UK philanthropy and grant-making landscape.
• Skills in digital design, video, or multimedia content creation.
• Experience working with community-led organisations.
We can offer:
The Ubele Initiative fosters a caring intergenerational creative and flexible work environment that promotes
collaboration, team wellbeing, respect, and professional development.
Salary
£37,000-£40,000 full time, gross per annum
Weekly hours
37.5 hours per week.
Pension
After successful completion of probation, employees are auto enrolled on the Ubele workplace
pension scheme dependant on eligibility.
Holidays
20 days annual leave and 8 UK bank holidays for full time employees, pro-rated for part time.
Flexible Working Location
We are open to applications from candidates across the UK that are willing to travel regularly to our London office
based in North London. We currently operate a 2 days per week office minimum for full time staff with Thursdays
being the anchor day where all staff should attend the office.
Learning
Ubele encourages professional development as a part of our culture and values. Ubele provides,
opportunities for training in mental health and first aid, collaboration, and mentorship. Ubele hosts away days, annual
retreat, local and international courses, learning sessions and social events.
Support
Access to Bright Wellbeing 24hr advice line and counselling service.
Access to Health Assured App
Access to Bright Safe Health & Safety management software and a variety of training courses.
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.