Ministry Learning & Development Lead (Lay and Ordained)

The Diocese of Liverpool’s strategy is rooted in the Church of England’s vocation to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ afresh in each generation and to be a Christian presence in every community.  Our refreshed diocesan strategy is making a step change in missional ambition which, with its clear focus on growth and sustainability of worshipping communities in every context, requires and takes a ‘whole system’ approach to change and alignment.

A key part of achieving our strategy is to make a step change in how we develop leaders - both lay and ordained.  Recent investment by the National Church enables us to create and implement a comprehensive strategy for developing lay and ordained ministry leaders with the skills they need to grow and sustain worshipping communities that reach and serve all communities and in particular, develop a church that is younger and more diverse.  It is a very exciting opportunity to be part of supporting and enabling leaders in a way that has previously not been possible.

This new role is key – it will form, shape and lead a new team who will, with ministry leaders and diocesan colleagues, develop and implement a comprehensive learning and development strategy building on a limited existing curriculum and previous listening and planning for the future.

This strategy presents an opportunity to respond to the context of this diocese:

• The development will be focused on the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will help missionally focused leadership deliver the strategic aims of the diocese with accountability - delivery of a parish system revitalised for mission, with sustainable worshipping communities and ongoing growth in younger and more diverse disciples.  We expect that the following type of areas are key: working with children and youth, growing disciples and evangelism, justice, leading change, project management, coaching / mentoring, communications, resolving conflict, personal resilience, skills and knowledge specific to particular ministry demands and opportunities.
• We want to attract younger and more diverse lay and ordained ministry leaders.  We recognise that preferred learning styles within this group range between those who are comfortable with an academic approach to those who are less confident with ‘book-learning’ and need a more practical approach, or who are time poor and need more flexible routes to accessing learning opportunities.
• The majority of missional leadership will continue to be provided by unpaid lay leaders. Our model needs to shift from full time and daytime to a more accessible approach that includes hybrid models including online, webinar/recorded etc and maximises gathered in-person training to address application, problem solving and coaching. 

This role will form, lead and manage a new team of specialists in learning and development, and will establish a healthy, collaborative and accountable culture, working as an extended part of the Vocations Team closely with the Diocesan Director of Vocations and liaising closely with other strategy leads within the discipleship, vocational, missional and operational domains. You will be part of appointing a further two assistant learning roles and a learning project support worker.

The team will be responsible for leading on content, process, and implementation through a significant cultural change to the offer for development in the diocese. All of these areas of development will need equal care and attention given to them.

Job Summary:

• Lead the development and implementation of an integrated Learning & Development strategy that aligns with the priorities of the diocesan strategy.
• Lead, manage and support the new Learning & Development team. 
• Budget holder for the Learning & Development team.
• Act as an advocate and conduit for cultural change for Learning & Development within the diocese.  
• Work closely with colleagues within the Discipleship and Vocations team, particularly the 0-18+ Children and Youth Strategy Leader and leaders in the Missional teams and Operational areas to identify, prioritise, co-ordinate and deliver on learning and development needs.
• Champion best practice and the highest professional standards.