Are you passionate about inspiring and equipping churches to engage with children and young people? Do you have the leadership, strategic vision, and experience to oversee our transformative and ambitious plans for children and youth ministry?
About The Role
The Diocese of Oxford is seeking a dynamic and experienced
Head of Children and Youth Ministry to lead and oversee the implementation of children and youth strategy across the diocese. This role is pivotal to our commitment to see a growing number of children and young people deeply rooted in Christ and living out their faith in the world in the whole of their lives.
As an integral part of the strategic leadership team of the Department of Mission and Ministry, you will motivate leaders across deaneries, parishes, and Church House to be both aspirational and practical in their development of thriving children and youth programmes. You will have management and operational responsibility for a dedicated team children and youth work specialists and administrative support.
About You
We seek an experienced leader in children and youth ministry with a strong understanding of church structures. You should be a strategic ‘thought leader’ capable of inspiring and leading change. The ability to lead, and be accountable, for complex projects is essential. Excellent relational skills are needed to build trust and collaborate effectively across the whole diocese. Experience in team leadership, mentoring, and staff development is required. You will be a committed Christian with a passion for discipleship and church growth among young people.
There is a genuine occupational requirement that the appointee must be a communicant member of the Church of England or of a church in full communion with it, in accordance with schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.
How To Apply
See attached Candidate Information Pack for more information including the job description.
To apply, please email your completed application form and recruitment monitoring form, and confidential declaration form to:
[email protected]Closing Date: 09:00 on Monday 06 October 2025
Interview Date: Monday 20 October 2025, at Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GF
Benefits And Rewards
- 25 days holiday, pro rata per annum, rising each year by one day to a maximum of 30 days
- In addition to the statutory UK public holidays, the Diocese offers three privilege days
- Hybrid approach to working
- Free parking and subsidised on-site café
- EV charging points on site
- Generous employer pension contribution of 12.5%, including 1% death in service benefit (5% Employee Contribution via salary exchange)
- Access to wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced family-friendly policies and a generous sick pay provision
- An attractive modern working environment
- Cycle to Work Scheme*
- Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme*
- Sabbatical Leave*
- *after qualifying period
We want the Church of England’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion for all to be reflected in our staff. We are particularly keen to receive applications from UK Minority Ethnic / Global Majority heritage and disabled candidates, who are currently underrepresented.
The Church of England is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our church community. In the Diocese of Oxford we follow and are committed to the Church of England's House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policies and the relevant statutory legislation and guidance "Working together" to ensure the welfare of children and young people is paramount. This post is subject to an enhanced plus barred lists DBS check. 
