35 hours per week | £43,000 - £45,000 per annum | 3-year fixed-term contract
The Diocese of Ipswich and St Edmundsbury’s Mission and Ministry Team seeks to support the making of new disciples of all ages in both parish churches and fresh expressions of church. As part of our significant investment in our priority to Grow Younger, as part of Growing in God (our Diocesan Vision to grow in Number, Depth, Influence and Younger), we are looking for a Growing Younger Team Leader to oversee, implement and integrate the Growing Younger priority for 0-25 year olds and their families, through enabling and supporting parishes and fresh expression of church to grow.
Reporting into the Director of Mission and Ministry, the successful candidate will lead a small team and engage with a wide range of colleagues across the Diocese and the National Church, including parish priests, chaplains, schools advisers and regional and national youth advisors to implement and integrate the Growing Younger priority across the diocese through enabling and supporting parishes and fresh expression of church to grow.
Key aspects of the role will be to oversee the implementation of the Growing Younger Workstream of the Strategic Transformation Programme, including facilitating the development of funded initiatives, plus monitoring, evaluation and budget management. You’ll also manage the Growing in God Mission Fund, support applications, advise the Chair and Fund Panel and ensure agreements and reporting are in place with grant recipients. We’re also looking for someone who can develop new ideas and support existing discipleship pathways and, importantly, ensure good safeguarding practise is adhered to and considered when setting up new projects or initiatives.
To that end, you will need to be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the breadth of 0-25’s ministry across the traditions in the Church of England including Fresh Expressions of Church to be considered for the role, along with either qualifications or proven experience in both child/youth/young adult development theory and familiarity with theories of faith development and safeguarding practice. Previous line management experience would also be beneficial.
The postholder will be primarily based at the Diocesan Office in Ipswich but will need to be willing to travel across the diocese to engage with parishes and other stakeholders and work some weekends and evenings as necessary. As such, access to a vehicle and a full driving license would be advantageous.
This post carries an occupational requirement to be a practising Christian as the post holder will be required to represent the Christian religion in education and mission of the church so we would expect the successful candidate to be a regular worshipper in a member of Churches Together in England and attested role model of Christian discipleship.
This is a fantastic and rewarding opportunity for someone committed to taking ownership of the diocesan strategy of implementing and integrating the Growing Younger priority for 0-25 year olds and their families into its wider objectives. If you feel you meet our criteria and are interested in joining our team we’d love to hear from you!
The DBF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All postholders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.
The care and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults involved in church activities is the responsibility of the whole church. Everyone who participates in the life of the church has a role to play in promoting a Safer Church for all.
Safeguarding is an integral part of the mission and ministry of the church in this diocese and is in line with our Growing in God strategy. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory DBS check where required.
For an informal conversation please contact: Sharron Coburn | Director of Mission and Ministry | 07483 006385
Closing Date: 4 March 2026
Interview Date: 19 March 2026
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