We seek a Project Leader who will be responsible for making multi parish benefices in the Diocese of Ely welcoming spaces for residents to grow and serve as followers of Jesus, and happy places to lead and work for their clergy. In October 2025, Ely Diocesan Synod approved up to £750,000 budget over 5 years for a project to enable multi parish benefices in the diocese to become units fit for mission and ministry amongst the populations that they serve. This project aligns with 3 of the 6 bold outcomes envisaged by the Church of England’s Strategic Priorities: A Church of England which fully represents the communities we serve in age and diversity. A pathway for everyone into an accessible and contextual expression of church through: A parish system revitalised for mission so churches can reach and serve everyone in their community. Creating ten thousand new Christian communities across the four areas of home, work/education, social and digital. We Are Seeking a Project Leader To Deliver a Change Programme That Will Take Multi Parish Benefices Further On Their Journey Into a Christ-like Church. Specifically, By Working with Archdeacons to mentor and support clergy who lead multi parish benefices, as they juggle the weight of demands alongside leading their benefices into greater fruitfulness. Working with incumbents and Archdeaconry Mission & Pastoral Committees to simplify and improve governance, leadership and clarity of vision, so that PCCs and Joint Councils are competent to oversee and support growth. Overseeing and directing a Parish Support Officer (half time) who will provide EA support to this project and day to day line management for parish administrators. Directing the work programme of up to 12 part time administrators, who will help implement change in the benefices selected for the programme. Working with the Director of Mission & Ministry to develop a pipeline that prepares clergy to lead multi parish benefices in the future, preparing them for the challenges and envisioning them with the opportunities. You will have considerable freedom to play with models and processes in consultation with local stakeholders to achieve the outcome of making our MPBs great places for clergy and lay people. You will give 16 hours (2 days) per week to this role and be recompensed either £20k pa or by a pro-rata credit to the benefice that releases you to undertake this work. You will receive full expenses. The post will last for 5 years. If you are a priest with common tenure, this post will not affect or remove your common tenure terms. The post holder will need to demonstrate significant experience successfully leading change, and deep understanding of the role of incumbent clergy in multi parish benefices. Previous experience leading a multi parish benefice would be a significant advantage. You will need to be a car driver, owing to the rural nature of many benefices. You will demonstrate and teach best safeguarding practice and will be required to complete the Church of England confidential disclosure form. You will be accountable to the Ven Richard Harlow, Archdeacon of Huntingdon & Wisbech, and work collegially with both Archdeacons in the Diocese of Ely, as well as colleagues in the Mission & Ministry Department and Church Buildings Team. Key Outcomes Reach – 12 benefices will be committed to participate in this programme by end of year 2; lessons learned will be available to the rest of the diocese. Growing congregations – 8/12 of MPBs in the programme will be reaching new people and be growing numerically by year 4. Clergy wellbeing – clergy in participating MPBs will report wellbeing consistent with or better than other clergy posts in the diocese. Sustainability – 10/12 MPBs in the project will contribute in Ministry Share what is agreed by Diocesan Synod by year 4. Sustainability – 10/12 of participating MPBs have adopted legal/administrative arrangements that they can sustain with available finance and volunteer resource by 2031; 12/12 participating MPBs will be registered with the Charity Commission by Dec 2031. Applications and Further Information Recruitment Pack - download here Application form - download here Equality monitoring form - download here Please note that applications must be submitted by email to archdeacon.handw@elydiocese.org Salary/Stipend: £20000 - £25000 Working Hours: 16 hours per week Location: Etheldreda House, Lancaster Way, Witchford, Ely Closing Date: 12 noon Monday 8 December 2025 Interviews: To be advised Informal enquiries Ven Richard Harlow, Archdeacon of Huntingdon & Wisbech, Telephone 07415 757527 Safer Recruitment in the Diocese of Ely The Ely Diocesan Board of Finance (EDBF) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees to undertake safeguarding checks and training relevant to their role and to adhere to the Church of England’s safeguarding policies and procedures (click here for more). A Diverse and Inclusive Workforce The Diocese of Ely is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community. We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME), women, and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation. First published on: 26th November 2025 Page last updated: Wednesday 26th November 2025 2:31 AM