Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations
The Diocese of Carlisle is looking for a gifted ordained colleague with the experience and strategic skills to play a pivotal role in enabling the vocations of all God’s people alongside releasing the considerable potential for lay and ordained ministry across the Diocese.
What We’re Looking For
* Heart for supporting and enabling the local people of God in Cumbria to discover and nurture a wide variety of gifts for a wider range of ministries.
* Committed to discerning and forming leaders who are deeply rooted in their relationship with Jesus, who act boldly in His name, and who inspire others to do the same.
* Champion for fostering diverse vocations among groups who are underrepresented in our ministries.
Responsibilities
* Oversee and guide individuals through the national discernment process, ensuring they are supported spiritually, pastorally and practically.
* Assisted by our experienced team of Assistant DDO’s.
* Lead a team of key colleagues, including the IME 2 Officer, Vocations Lead, Warden of Readers, and our Vocations and Assistant DDO teams, modelling collaboration, support and challenge in the discernment and formation work they undertake.
* Underpinned by the values of our God for All strategy, act as an emotionally intelligent and pastorally adept leader, relating generously and positively to those of theological traditions other than your own.
Qualifications
* Experience in leading spiritual discernment or vocational formation processes.
* Ability to work collaboratively with diverse ministry teams.
* Strong relationship skills with theological traditions other than your own and an emotionally intelligent approach.
* Practical understanding of the Church of England ordained ministry structure and national discernment framework.
Salary and Benefits
* £48,988 plus 15% non‑contributory pension, or an ordained candidate could choose to remain in the Church of England Clergy Pension Scheme.
* This post is subject to an occupational requirement that the postholder be a practising Christian under Part 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.
Closing Date
Monday 1 st December 2025, 9am
Interviews
Church House, Penrith – Thursday 11th December 2025.
Contact
For an informal chat about this role, please contact Rachel Head (Director of Mission, Ministry, Support and Innovation) by emailing rachel.head@carlislediocese.org.uk or Ali Ng (Bishop’s Chaplain) by emailing bishopschaplain@carlislediocese.org.uk.
Completed application forms should be returned to Helen Harker at HumanResources@Carlislediocese.org.uk
Seniority Level
Director
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Other
Industries
Religious Institutions
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