Principal St Augustine's College of Theology is seeking a new Principal to lead our vibrant, diverse and deeply pastoral learning community. As a non-residential, mixed-mode theological college serving dioceses across the South East, we are committed to excellent theological education, generous Anglicanism and an inclusive, broad-church ethos. This is an important and demanding moment in the life of the College. Expectations from dioceses and national bodies are evolving, and the wider TEI landscape is changing rapidly. Internally, we are strengthening systems, embedding more resilient structures and raising the College's profile across the Church at local and national level. The Principal will play a decisive role in shaping this next chapter, ensuring St Augustine's continues to offer formation that is academically rigorous, spiritually grounded and pastorally generous. We are looking for someone who brings spiritual depth, academic credibility and warm, relational leadership. The Principal will guide a community where students of all ages, backgrounds and traditions are welcomed, stretched and supported, including those balancing work or family commitments, those entering study later in life, and students who are neurodivergent or lack academic confidence. Our blend of online learning, parish-embedded formation and in-person teaching offers a rich environment for creativity, growth and reflective practice. You will be an ordained priest within the Church of England, modelling a deep and authentic Christian spirituality. You will bring the academic credibility needed to lead a scholarly community, a depth of theological understanding and the ability to teach confidently at higher education level. You will have experience of leadership in a church, TEI or academic setting, and the capacity to hold pastoral warmth and organisational discipline together. A commitment to our inclusive, broad church Anglican identity is essential, holding theological diversity with grace and maturity. The role calls for someone able to build confident relationships with dioceses, university partners, TEIs and senior church leaders, whilst also strengthening systems, stewarding resources wisely and raising the College's profile. Above all, you will be a collaborative, emotionally intelligent and grounded leader who takes joy in seeing others flourish. If you feel called to the formation of future clergy and lay ministers and would value the opportunity to help shape a learning community that is faithful, imaginative and hope-filled, we would be delighted to hear from you. For further information and details on how to apply, please download the candidate pack, this can be found by clicking 'continue' below. If, once you have read this pack, you would value an informal conversation to support your discernment, please contact our recruitment advisers at GatenbySanderson: To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'. Recruitment Timetable Closing Date - Strictly 5pm on Monday 16 March 2026 Longlist Meeting w/c Monday 23 March 2026 Preliminary Interviews with GatenbySanderson w/c Monday 30 March & w/c Monday 6 April 2026 Shortlist Meeting w/c Monday 13 April 2026 Final Panel Interviews - TBC w/c Monday 27 April or Monday 4 May 2026 How to Apply If you wish to apply for this position, please online by the deadline, which is 5pm Monday 16 March 2026. There are two parts to the application process, to apply, please submit the following: Part 1
• A CV (no longer than three pages) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements.
• A Statement of Suitability (no longer than two pages), explaining why you want this role and giving detailed and specific examples of achievements in line with the Essential experience criteria in the Person Specification. Part 2 Once you have submitted your CV and supporting statement, please visit to submit a 3 minute video response to the following question: What has motivated you to apply for this role and what potential impact do you feel you could have as Principal of St Augustine's? Please note, you will have unlimited time in the practice section, but you only have 5 takes when you come to record the actual video. Please submit your application online. You will be asked to provide:
• Your contact details
• Complete an equality monitoring form (this will appear on screen as part of the application process)
• Let us know of any dates when you are not available for interview or where you may have difficulty with the indicative timetable
• Details for two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. These referees will not be approached until the final interview stage and not without your prior permission.